In Vitro Tensile Fatigue of Human Flexor Digitorum Profundus and Superficialis Tendons
Metadata Field | Value | Language |
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dc.contributor.advisor | Gallagher, Sean | |
dc.contributor.author | Smith, Nicholas | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2019-07-29T18:44:17Z | |
dc.date.available | 2019-07-29T18:44:17Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2019-07-29 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10415/6896 | |
dc.description.abstract | Distal upper extremity work-related musculoskeletal disorders (DUE WMSDs) such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) present a high cost on both society and industry. CTS in particular can result in a large number of days away from work (median=30 days). There is mounting evidence that DUE WMSDs (such as CTS) result from a fatigue failure process. This dissertation presents three experiments that contribute evidence regarding the fatigue failure of tendons associated with CTS and trigger finger; specifically, the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). The ‘S-N’ equation for FDP and FDS tendons was derived (S = 35.178-1.86*ln(N)), relating imposed peak stress (S) to expected number of cycles until macroscopic failure (N). A Morrow power model was also derived (y = 2.1864x-3.198), empowering future studies to estimate characteristic life without destructively testing the material. DC level was not a significant predictor of fatigue life (p=0.563) nor work per cycle (p=0.44). When comparing the FDP/FDS ‘S-N’ equation with a previously reported ‘S-N’ equation of EDL tendons, the FDP/FDS equation reported a higher OR for only 1 of 15 DUE outcome and repetition definition combinations using an epidemiological database. The FDP/FDS ‘S-N’ equation is more liberal than that of the EDL data, meaning more jobs were considered safe. This ultimately caused a higher accuracy for most DUE outcomes and repetition definition combinations. The probability functions for all DUE outcomes versus log CD for FDP/FDS data were more gradual functions, inferring a weaker dose-response relationship. Future research on the fatigue properties of FDP/FDS should focus on cyclic stresses less than 40% ultimate tensile stress (UTS) and also on cyclic compression, shear, and vibration forces. | en_US |
dc.rights | EMBARGO_GLOBAL | en_US |
dc.subject | Industrial and Systems Engineering | en_US |
dc.title | In Vitro Tensile Fatigue of Human Flexor Digitorum Profundus and Superficialis Tendons | en_US |
dc.type | PhD Dissertation | en_US |
dc.embargo.length | MONTHS_WITHHELD:6 | en_US |
dc.embargo.status | EMBARGOED | en_US |
dc.embargo.enddate | 2020-01-01 | en_US |