Artelon graft integrating with anterior tibial tendon

Artelon Graft: A Game-Changer for Anterior Tibial Tendon Repair?

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how this innovative polyurethane urea-based graft is revolutionizing the treatment of anterior tibial tendon ruptures, offering new hope for athletes and active individuals."

Anterior tibial tendon ruptures, while not the most common injuries, can be particularly debilitating, especially for athletes and active individuals over 40. These ruptures often lead to significant pain and limited mobility, impacting daily life and athletic performance. Delayed diagnosis is common, which can further complicate the recovery process.

Traditional treatments for anterior tibial tendon ruptures often involve autografts (using the patient's own tissue) or allografts (using donor tissue). However, these methods have limitations, including donor site morbidity, risk of rejection, and prolonged recovery times. The need for alternative solutions that promote faster healing and reduce complications has driven research and innovation in the field.

This article explores the use of a polycaprolactone-based polyurethane urea (PUUR) hyperelastic polymer, known as Artelon, in the repair and reconstruction of anterior tibial tendon ruptures. We'll delve into the science behind Artelon, its benefits, and how it's changing the landscape of tendon repair, offering a promising alternative for patients seeking a return to full function.

Artelon: A New Approach to Tendon Repair

Artelon graft integrating with anterior tibial tendon

Artelon is a knitted textile matrix crafted from fibers of polycaprolactone-based polyurethane urea (PUUR). This unique material boasts hyperelastic and creep-resistant properties, making it an ideal candidate for tendon repair. But what sets Artelon apart from traditional methods?

Previous studies have demonstrated that Artelon integrates seamlessly with the body's tissues, without triggering an adverse immune response. Its mechanical properties closely mimic those of natural tendons and ligaments, providing the necessary support and stability for healing. Furthermore, Artelon degrades benignly through hydrolysis over a period of 5-6 years, gradually transferring the load to the healing tendon.

Biocompatibility: Artelon integrates without immune reaction.
Mechanical Strength: Resembles natural tendons and ligaments.
Controlled Degradation: Degrades benignly, transferring load to the healing tendon over time.

A retrospective examination of the first 6 cases of anterior tibial tendon reconstruction using the Artelon PUUR graft revealed promising results. Patient outcomes were measured using AOFAS scores, a standard tool for assessing foot and ankle function. The range of motion and strength of the injured side were compared to the native, uninjured side to evaluate the effectiveness of the Artelon graft.

The Future of Tendon Repair is Here

The results of the study are encouraging. There were no complications reported with the use of the Artelon graft to augment anterior tibial tendon reconstruction and repair. Moreover, patient outcomes at 6 months showed significant improvement compared to preoperative levels. The range of motion and strength were similar to the contralateral, uninjured side, indicating a successful recovery.

Artelon represents a safe and effective soft tissue augmentation device that can be used in the setting of anterior tibial tendon repair or reconstruction. Its unique properties and promising clinical outcomes make it a valuable tool for orthopedic surgeons seeking to improve patient outcomes and accelerate recovery.

As research continues and clinical experience grows, Artelon is poised to become a standard of care for anterior tibial tendon ruptures and other soft tissue injuries. This innovative graft offers a new lease on life for athletes and active individuals, helping them regain their mobility and return to the activities they love.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/2473011418s00416, Alternate LINK

Title: Anterior Tibial Tendon Repair With Polycaprolactone-Based Polyurethane Urea Based Graft (Artelon)

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Thomas Sanders, Dan Cuttica, Steven Neufeld

Published: 2018-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Artelon, and what makes it suitable for repairing tendons?

Artelon is a unique knitted textile matrix made from polycaprolactone-based polyurethane urea (PUUR) fibers. Its hyperelastic and creep-resistant properties make it suitable for tendon repair. It integrates with the body's tissues without causing an adverse immune response and degrades benignly through hydrolysis over 5-6 years, gradually transferring the load to the healing tendon.

How does using Artelon compare to traditional treatments like autografts or allografts for anterior tibial tendon ruptures?

Traditional treatments for anterior tibial tendon ruptures often involve autografts (using the patient's own tissue) or allografts (using donor tissue). These methods can lead to donor site morbidity, risk of rejection, and prolonged recovery times. Artelon offers a promising alternative because it is biocompatible, possesses mechanical strength similar to natural tendons and ligaments, and undergoes controlled degradation, transferring load to the healing tendon over time without these complications.

What were the results of the initial studies on using Artelon for anterior tibial tendon reconstruction?

The initial study on anterior tibial tendon reconstruction using Artelon showed encouraging results. Patients experienced significant improvement in AOFAS scores (a standard tool for assessing foot and ankle function) at 6 months post-surgery. There were no complications reported, and the range of motion and strength in the injured side were similar to the uninjured side, suggesting a successful recovery. The results indicate a restoration of functionality.

What material is Artelon made of, and how does this material promote tendon healing?

Artelon is made from polycaprolactone-based polyurethane urea (PUUR). This material is hyperelastic and creep-resistant, biocompatible, and degrades benignly over time, allowing the body to heal. Its integration avoids adverse immune responses, and its degradation supports the healing process, gradually transferring load to the repaired tendon, promoting a return to function without the risks associated with autografts or allografts.

What are the potential long-term implications of using Artelon for anterior tibial tendon repair and reconstruction?

The long-term implications of using Artelon for anterior tibial tendon repair and reconstruction include reduced complications, faster recovery times, and improved patient outcomes. The absence of donor site morbidity and rejection risks, coupled with the material's ability to mimic natural tendon properties, suggests a more reliable and effective solution for restoring function in athletes and active individuals. As more data is collected over time, it will determine if Artelon leads to more predictable long-term durability compared to traditional methods. Further studies would also need to investigate its performance in diverse patient populations and injury types.