Abstract
Tendon pathologies represent an unresolved clinical challenge where the patients suffer from pain and impaired mobility. One of the most frequently ruptured tendons is the Achilles tendon and primarily seen in recreational and professional athletes. A study from Sweden reported a significant increase in the incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures of 17% in men and 22% in women due to the demographic changes and the higher sportive activity of older adults (Huttunen TT Am J Sports Med 2014). The re-rupture rate is between 2–10%, and the patients suffer from an impairment over a long time accompanied with incapability to work. The healing process results in the formation of a mechanically insufficient scar tissue. A detailed knowledge on the cellular and molecular processes underlying human Achilles tendon healing is necessary to develop new treatment strategies and judge therapeutic success. The analysis of human Achilles tendon samples at different time points post rupture and the comparison to intact and degenerated tendon tissue provides important information on the healing process.
