La patologia tendinea: fisiopatologia, nuove strategie diagnostiche e terapeutiche

The following thesis is a summa of several research projects and insights around the tendon tissue: first the pathophysiology has been discussed, then the nutraceuticals as prevention strategy. Follows a deep discussion about the role of growth factors in tendon physiology and pathology, finding in the PRP (platelet rich plasma) and PRFM (platelet rich fibrin matrix) a novel and interesting therapy. It has been investigated through a preclinical study comparing and ex vivo model and a quantitative and qualitative assay to identify how the different growth factors may be involved in the tissue repair. At last, a clinical part (diagnostics) has been investigated presenting the results of a study on Achilles tendon evaluated with a novel ultrasound device, the real time elahstosonography: normal achilles tendon of health volunteers has been compared with ruptured ones undergone surgery to assess structural and biomechanics differences.