Tendon damage has been traditionally evaluated invasively with biopsy. This pilot study evaluated the effects of an induced mechanical strain of the patellar tendon on UTE-MRI metrics and corresponding histology. The induced strain had a greater effect on the quantitative MRI metrics over time, by percentage change, than by the level of induced strain. A corresponding histologic analysis had similar findings. The results indicate the capability of utilizing MRI to evaluate differences in the quantitative T2* metrics of the patellar tendon. Time dependent changes in quantitative UTE-MRI metrics may be detected using a model of induced subclinical tendon damage.
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