Shoulder damage from subscapularis tendon tears and overuse
Official title: Impact of Overload and Overuse Following Subscapularis Tears: Mechanisms of Shoulder Joint Damage
Funded at Philadelphia VA Medical Center · NIH-11317007 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how tears of the subscapularis tendon and repeated shoulder overuse cause joint damage in people with rotator cuff injuries.
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 | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX003652-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11317007 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with subscapularis or other rotator cuff tears who have pain, weakness, progressive loss of motion, or are candidates for surgical repair.
✕Less likely to help
People without rotator cuff or subscapularis problems, or whose shoulder issues are due to unrelated conditions like inflammatory arthritis, are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
If you have a rotator cuff injury, this work aims to understand how a tear of the subscapularis tendon combined with repeated overload leads to damage inside the shoulder joint. Scientists will use laboratory models that mimic these tears and overuse to study changes in cartilage and nearby intact tendons at the tissue and cellular level. They will measure how joint mechanics, tissue degeneration, and biological responses connect to pain, loss of function, and risk of re-tear after repair. The results could point to changes in surgical repair, rehab, or prevention to better protect the shoulder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to better ways to prevent or treat joint damage after subscapularis tears, reducing pain and improving shoulder function.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal studies on other rotator cuff tears (supraspinatus/infraspinatus) have revealed mechanisms and influenced clinical practice, but focused subscapularis work is new.
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
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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.