Impact of overload and overuse after subscapularis tears on shoulder health
Official title: Impact of Overload and Overuse Following Subscapularis Tears: Mechanisms of Shoulder Joint Damage
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11493627 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how tears in the subscapularis tendon can damage the shoulder joint over time, potentially guiding better care for people with this common injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2022 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003652-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11493627 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with diagnosed subscapularis tendon tears or shoulder injuries related to rotator cuff damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without subscapularis tears or without a condition affecting the shoulder joint may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
People with rotator cuff tears often develop painful, crippling changes in shoulder movement as the joint mechanics shift. The researchers will study how subscapularis tears affect the shoulder joint using data from laboratory models and prior findings about how tears alter force balance and cause cartilage and tendon damage. The goal is to uncover the mechanisms driving progressive joint damage so clinicians can choose treatments that minimize long-term harm. This work builds on previous models and aims to translate those insights toward improved clinical care for patients with subscapularis tears.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Gaining clearer guidance on how subscapularis tears cause joint damage could lead to earlier, more effective treatments and better long-term shoulder function for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that tear-induced changes in shoulder mechanics can drive joint damage, supporting the relevance of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kuntz, Andrew Frederic — Philadelphia VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Kuntz, Andrew Frederic
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.