Stress relaxation in tendons of chickens with scoliosis.

Abstract The mechanical properties of the digital flexor and extensor tendons of chickens which develop idiopathic scoliosis were studied in stress relaxation experiments. The material from the chickens with scoliosis, when held at a fixed deformation, showed a more rapid and greater reduction in force required to maintain this deformation than did material from the control chickens. This mechanical abnormality could contribute to the spinal curvature.