Ultra-short Echo Imaging of Cyclically Loaded Rabbit Patellar Tendon

Tendon visualization using standard MR sequences is difficult due to limited signal intensity. UTE sequences display contrast within a tendon, and allow for T2* calculation. This study determined the effects of a freeze-thaw cycle and cyclic loading on tendon T2* values. No difference of T2* was found between the fresh and frozen samples, and shorter T2* values were found after loading. Reduction of T2* is due to greater tissue organization from the uncrimping of collagen fibrils. The relationship between T2* and applied load has clinical implications for assessment of ligament reconstruction and tendon repair.

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