Comparing AC joint reconstruction methods to restore shoulder mechanics and tissue health
Multicenter, longitudinal study of acromioclavicular joint reconstruction techniques for restoring shoulder complex biomechanics and soft tissue health
This project compares simpler versus more complete AC joint repairs to find which helps people with high-grade shoulder injuries regain normal shoulder movement and healthier soft tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178347 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at multiple hospitals will follow people who receive surgery for high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries over several years to track shoulder function and tissue health. They will compare repairs that rebuild only the vertical stabilizers (coracoclavicular ligaments) with repairs that also reconstruct the AC capsule and ligaments for horizontal stability. Participants will have clinical exams, imaging, and movement/biomechanics testing during follow-up visits to see how the shoulder performs over time. If you have a severe AC joint injury and get surgery at a participating center, you might be invited to join this long-term follow-up.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people, often young athletes, with high-grade AC joint injuries who are planning or recently had surgical reconstruction.
Not a fit: People with low-grade AC injuries managed without surgery or those with different shoulder conditions are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point surgeons to the technique that best restores shoulder stability and reduces long-term tissue damage and dysfunction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies suggest non-rigid, anatomy-preserving repairs often do better than rigid fixation, but combining coracoclavicular and AC-capsule reconstruction is relatively new and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zandiyeh, Payam — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Zandiyeh, Payam
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.