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Abstract #2802

Magic Angle Directional Imaging (MADI) visualises changes to collagen fibre orientation in patellar tendons after freezing

Karyn Elizabeth Chappell1, Mihailo Ristic2, Donald McRobbie3, Wladyslaw Gedroyc4, Djordje Brujic2, and Catherine Van Der Straeten5
1Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford University, Redwood City, CA, United States, 2Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom, 3University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia, 4Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom, 5Imperial College London/Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

Does freeze/thaw of cadaveric specimens’ damage collagen fibre orientation? Magic angle directional imaging (MADI) in caprine knees assessed the underlying tissue structure before and after freezing for three and six weeks. Tendon thickness reduced after 6 weeks of freezing. Segmented collagen containing voxels decreased by half after freezing. Voids appeared in the internal tendon structure suggestive of ice crystal formation that disrupted collagen fibre orientation. The severity of the structural changes increased the longer the tissue was frozen. Interpreting results with frozen/thawed cadaveric specimens needs care as freezing damages collagen fibre structure that may impact on biomechanical and other properties.

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