OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early stages in the formation of bony spurs in relation to normal enthesis development. METHODS: Histologic sections of rat Achilles tendons, stained with toluidine blue or Masson's trichrome, were examined in animals ranging from 2 weeks to 1 year of age. Further material prepared for immunohistochemistry was labeled with monoclonal antibodies for laminin and type IV collagen to highlight the presence of small blood vessels at the enthesis. Sections of small spurs from the Achilles tendons of elderly humans were also examined for comparison. RESULTS: As a part of normal development, bone grows into the Achilles tendon as the calcaneus enlarges. Ossification is preceded by vascular invasion, which occurs along rows of enthesis fibrocartilage cells. Small bony spurs develop when ossification at one point on the enthesis outstrips that on either side. CONCLUSION: Bony spurs can develop in the Achilles tendon without the need for preceding microtears or any inflammatory reaction, and they form by endochondral ossification of enthesis fibrocartilage. The increased surface area created at the tendon-bone junction may be an adaptive mechanism to ensure the integrity of the interface in response to increased mechanical loads.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the early stages in the formation of bony spurs in relation to normal enthesis development. METHODS: Histologic sections of rat Achilles tendons, stained with toluidine blue or Masson's trichrome, were examined in animals ranging from 2 weeks to 1 year of age. Further material prepared for immunohistochemistry was labeled with monoclonal antibodies for laminin and type IV collagen to highlight the presence of small blood vessels at the enthesis. Sections of small spurs from the Achilles tendons of elderly humans were also examined for comparison. RESULTS: As a part of normal development, bone grows into the Achilles tendon as the calcaneus enlarges. Ossification is preceded by vascular invasion, which occurs along rows of enthesis fibrocartilage cells. Small bony spurs develop when ossification at one point on the enthesis outstrips that on either side. CONCLUSION: Bony spurs can develop in the Achilles tendon without the need for preceding microtears or any inflammatory reaction, and they form by endochondral ossification of enthesis fibrocartilage. The increased surface area created at the tendon-bone junction may be an adaptive mechanism to ensure the integrity of the interface in response to increased mechanical loads.
Authors: Carla Stecco; Marco Corradin; Veronica Macchi; Aldo Morra; Andrea Porzionato; Carlo Biz; Raffaele De Caro Journal: J Anat Date: 2013-09-12 Impact factor: 2.610
Authors: Jean-Baptiste Deffontaines; Bertrand Lussier; Christian Bolliger; Agathe Bédard; Monique Doré; William E Blevins Journal: Can Vet J Date: 2016-05 Impact factor: 1.008
Authors: Guoying Liang; Lee D Katz; Karl L Insogna; Thomas O Carpenter; Carolyn M Macica Journal: Calcif Tissue Int Date: 2009-07-17 Impact factor: 4.333
Authors: Ruth L Chimenti; Peter C Chimenti; Mark R Buckley; Jeff R Houck; A Samuel Flemister Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2015-12-29 Impact factor: 3.966