ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses various methods to determine the biomechanical properties of ligaments and tendons. With respect to animal models, the effects of experimental, biological and environmental factors on these properties will be reviewed. The flexor tendons of the hand and foot and the MCL of the knee are the two primary examples because they are among the most studied; however, there is considerable information available on other ligaments and tendons as well, from shoulder to spinal ligaments to patellar and extensor tendons. The mechanical properties of the ligament substance can also be determined from the same uniaxial tensile test by normalizing both the load and elongation. in general, it appears that biomechanical properties of ligaments and tendons improve rapidly as the animals reach skeletal maturity. Characterizing the structural properties of the bone-ligament-bone complex and the mechanical properties of the ligament or tendon substance can aid in the understanding of the functional role of these tissues.
