Abstract
Rotator cuff injuries frequently require surgical repairs which have a high failure rate. Biological augmentation has been utilized in an attempt to improve tendon repair. Poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (sNAG) polymer containing nanofibers has been shown to increase the rate for healing of venous leg ulcers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the healing and analgesic properties of sNAG in a rat rotator cuff injury and repair model. 144 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a transection and repair of their left supraspinatus tendons. Half of the animals received a sNAG membrane on the tendon-to-bone insertion site. Animals were further subdivided, receiving 1 or 3days of analgesics. Animals were sacrificed 2, 4, or 8weeks post-injury. Animals sacrificed at 4 and 8weeks underwent longitudinal in vivo ambulatory assessment. Histological properties were assessed at 2, 4, and 8weeks, and mechanical properties at 4 and 8weeks. In the presence of analgesics, tendons receiving the sNAG polymer had significantly increased max load and max stress at 4weeks, but not at 8weeks. Ambulatory improvements were observed at 14days in stride length and speed. Therefore, sNAG improves tendon-to-bone healing in a rat rotator cuff detachment and repair model.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
