Risk factors for Achilles tendon injuries : an emphasis on the identification of specific genetic factors

Abstract

This main purpose of this thesis was therefore to investigate whether any specific genes on the tip of the long arm of chromosome 9 were associated with Achilles tendon injuries, using a case-control study design. The specific objectives were: (i) to identify all genes located in the 9q32-q34.3 locus in close proximity to the ABO gene, that could be involved in tendon injuries (Chapter 2) and (ii) to investigate the possible association of the identified candidate genes (COL5A1 and TNC with both Achilles tendon rupture and chronic Achilles tendinopathy (Chapter 3 and 4) and (iii) finally to investigate the possible interaction of these two genes with tendon function, namely the muscle-tendon unit flexibility (chapter 5) and structure, namely the morphological changes of the Achilles tendon (Chapter 6).