Biomechanical and histopathological evaluation of the effects of tranexamic acid on bone tendon juction healing: Rat model

Objectives: In our study, we aimed to determine the effects of tranexamic acid on bone-tendon junction healing biomechanically and histopathologically. Material and Methods: Sixty four male Wistar-Albino rats which weighed 450-600 gr were used in our study. They were divided into four groups which include 16 rats for each. Achillotomy was performed on the right Achilles tendons of the rats from the bone-tendon junction in all groups and the plantaris tendon was preserved. Operation was ended after solutions were locally applied through incision site as 1 ml tranexamic acid to study group and 1 ml saline solution to control group. In the end of follow-up period for four weeks, all rats were sacrificed. Biomechanical tests were performed via Testometric M500-50CT device. In histopathological evaluation, Bonar, Movin and Nourissat Bone-Tendon Junction Scoring were used. The statistical significance value was determined as 0,05. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the tranexamic acid group and the saline group in terms of elongation at maximum point, maximum load and maximum strain parameters in the biomechanical study (p= 0,558 p= 0,775 p= 0,558). In histopathological evaluation, it was determined that the collagen content was better and the collagen structure was closer to normal in the tranexamic acid group (p=0,047 p=0,008). There was statistically significant decrease in tranexamic acid group in vascularity, hyalinization and GAG content parameters (p=0,004 p=0,014 p=0,026). When the total bonar and movin score was evaluated, statistically significant results were obtained in favor of the tranexamic acid group (p=0,0001). Conclusions: In our study, we found that locally administered tranexamic acid had a positive effect on bone-tendon junction healing.