Tendon also have a role in the tensile properties of tendon. The structure of tendon is effectively a fibre composite material, built as a series of hierarchical levels. At each level of the hierarchy, the collagen units are bound together by either collagen crosslinks, or the proteoglycans, to create a structure highly resistant to tensile load. The elongation and the strain of the collagen fibrils alone have been shown to be much lower than the total elongation and strain of the entire tendon under the same amount of stress, demonstrating that the proteoglycan-rich matrix must also undergo deformation, and stiffening of
Tendon transfer used to restore a single function. Transfer of one tendon to restore multiple functions will compromise strength and movement. These are examples of commonly performed tendon transfers. Many of the lower extremity tendon transfers were performed during the nineteenth century to improve ambulation in polio patients due to post-poliomyelitis paralysis. In the beginning o twentieth century, tendon transfers were used to correct congenital talipes equina. Tendon transfers were extensively performed during World Wars I and II to patients with upper extremity injuries. Tendon transfer A tendon transfer is a surgical process in which the insertion of a tendon is moved,