Clinical trials

Rotator cuff repair healing is highly variable with healing failure rates ranging from 11 to 94%. To this date, there are no specific biomarkers in shoulder tissues that can be associated with rotator cuff healing after surgery. The purpose of this study is to perform diagnostic imaging study (MRI without contrast), for research purposes, to subjects in the Orthopedics Biobank (IRB#202403832), to identify biomarkers associated with failure of rotator cuff repair healing. We will evaluate biomarkers in synovial fluid and shoulder tissues collected and analyzed as part of the IRB#202403832, and correlate the difference in biomarkers in patients that did and did not have signs of healing in the MRI. Secondarily, we aim to develop a model using demographics, radiographic parameters/MRI measurements and biomarkers to accurately predict rotator cuff repair healing rates at 1-year following surgery. This will be a study from a population of patients who are enrolled in the Orthopedic biorepository under IRB #202403832. Patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair will be invited to get an MRI without contrast of their operated shoulder at a period between 6 months to 1 year post-operative.

This study aims to assess post-operative outcomes and healing rates following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with and without biceps tendon autograft patch augmentation in patients with medium to large rotator cuff tears. This will be a single center, parallel arm randomized trial within the Orthopedics Shoulder Surgery Department at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). Eligible patients indicated for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and open subpectoral biceps tenodesis will be enrolled, consented and randomized, in a 1:1 scheme, into 2 study arms. Arm 1 will consist of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair without biceps tendon autograft. Arm 2 will consist of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with biceps tendon autograft patch augmentation. Outcomes of interest are American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Score (ASES), at 1 year and 2 years postoperatively. Exploratory outcomes are SANE, VAS Pain and active shoulder range of motion, and healing signs on MRI imaging studies at minimum 6-months postoperatively.