Attaching dissimilar materials is a major challenge in engineering, and has proven to be a challenge in surgical practice as well [1]. At the tensile connection of tendon to bone, a two order-of-magnitude mismatch exists, leading to stress concentrations and the potential for failure [2–3]. Here, we examine one material attachment strategy employed at this connection to achieve effective load transfer between a healing tendon and bone: shaping of gross tissue morphology [4]. Our ultimate goal is to understand the mechanisms of stress transfer at the tendon-to-bone insertion. This understanding may lead to biomimetic attachment strategies that will benefit engineering practice and improve surgical healing outcomes.
Volume Subject Area:
Poster Session I: Tissue Engineering of Interfaces
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