Abstract:
Rotator cuff muscle injuries are the most common cause of shoulder pain and
dysfunction in industrialized countries and have a significant impact on the health
care system and workforce. To date the natural history of RC pathology is not well
understood. Muscle disuse and degeneration as well as de-innervation resulting
from entrapment of the suprascapular nerve have all been implicated as possible
causes for rotator cuff disease. Unfortunately, the mechanisms responsible for the
changes in muscle structure and function are not well understood. The objectives of
this research project are to 1. Characterize and document the structural anatomy of
the supraspinatus muscle 2. Use MRI imaging to classify fatty degeneration using a
widely accepted clinical classification system 3. Use isokinetic and handheld
dynamometry to quantify rotator cuff muscle function in pathological based patient
populations that have been diagnosed with a rotator cuff muscle injury. The results
of this pilot project are expected to contribute to our understanding of the
anatomical factors associated with rotator cuff injury and have the potential to offer
significant insight into the structural and functional changes associated with rotator
cuff muscle injury. It is than hoped that the findings associated with this project can
launch further research that could provide surgeons with clinical guidelines on who
should qualify for surgical versus conservative treatment of rotator cuff tears.
