Improving Shoulder Labrum Healing with a Special Adhesive

Biomolecule releasing adhesive for cell-mediated labral repair

NIH-funded research University of Texas Arlington · NIH-11110452

This project is developing a special adhesive that releases helpful molecules to encourage better healing of shoulder labrum tears.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Arlington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Arlington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11110452 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many people experience chronic shoulder pain and instability due to tears in the glenoid labrum, a key part of the shoulder joint. While surgery can reattach the torn labrum, it often doesn't fully heal the tissue, leading to continued problems for some patients. This project is developing a new kind of adhesive designed to release special biomolecules directly to the injured area. The goal is for this adhesive to encourage your body's own cells to actively repair and regenerate the damaged labrum tissue, aiming for a stronger, more complete healing process.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients with glenoid labral tears who experience chronic shoulder pain and instability, and whose current surgical options offer limited tissue regeneration, would be ideal candidates for future applications of this research.

Not a fit: Patients without glenoid labral tears or those whose shoulder instability is not related to labral damage would not directly benefit from this specific approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to more complete and lasting healing for shoulder labrum tears, reducing chronic pain and instability after surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While cell therapy and tissue engineering have shown promise in improving cartilage and bone healing, this specific approach for glenoid labrum healing using a biomolecule-releasing adhesive is novel and has not been widely explored.

Where this research is happening

Arlington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.