Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Comment
  • Published:

Standardizing clinical trials for synthetic matrices in rotator cuff tears

Nature Reviews Bioengineering volume 3, pages 441–443 (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Clinical reports on synthetic matrices for rotator cuff tears (RCTs) have varied outcomes owing to limitations such as inconsistency in follow-up time, small sample sizes and lack of control groups. Standardized methods are crucial to optimize synthetic matrix applications and ensure consistent results in tendon repair.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

References

  1. Saveh-Shemshaki, N., Nair, L. S. & Laurencin, C. T. Nanofiber-based matrices for rotator cuff regenerative engineering. Acta Biomaterialia 94, 64–81 (2019).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Laurencin, C. T. & Khan, Y. Regenerative engineerg. Sci. Transl. Med 4, 160ed9 (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Encalada-Diaz, I. et al. Rotator cuff repair augmentation using a novel polycarbonate polyurethane patch: preliminary results at 12 months’ follow-up. J. Shoulder Elbow Surg 20, 788–794 (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Seetharam, A., Abad, J., Baessler, A. & Badman, B. L. Use of a nanofiber resorbable scaffold during rotator cuff repair: surgical technique and results after repair of small- to medium-sized tears. Orthop. J. Sports Med. 10, 23259671221094848 (2022).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Cowling, P. et al. The use of a synthetic shoulder patch for large and massive rotator cuff tears–a feasibility study. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord. 21, 1–12 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Burkhard, M. D., Dietrich, M., Andronic, O., Nikolic, N. & Grueninger, P. Arthroscopic repair of posterosuperior rotator cuff tears with bioabsorbable patch augmentation: a magnetic resonance–controlled case series with 1-year follow-up. JSES Int 4, 860–868 (2020).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Audeneaert, E., Van Nuffel, J., Schepens, A., Verhelst, M. & Verdonk, R. Reconstruction of massive rotator cuff lesions with a synthetic interposition graft: a prospective study of 41 patients. Knee Surg. Sports Traumatol. Arthrosc. 14, 360–364 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Ciampi, P. et al. The benefit of synthetic versus biological patch augmentation in the repair of posterosuperior massive rotator cuff tears: a 3-year follow-up study. The Am. J. Sports Med. 42, 1169–1175 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Hirooka, A. et al. Augmentation with a Gore-Tex patch for repair of large rotator cuff tears that cannot be sutured. J. Orthop. Sci. 7, 451–456 (2002).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Patte, D. Classification of rotator cuff lesions. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 254, 81–86 (1990).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Proctor, C. S. Long-term successful arthroscopic repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears with a functional and degradable reinforcement device. J. Shoulder Elbow Surg 23, 1508–1513 (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Shemshaki, N. S. et al. Efficacy of a novel electroconductive matrix to treat muscle atrophy and fat accumulation in chronic massive rotator cuff tears of the shoulder. ACS Biomater. Sci. Eng. 9, 5782–5792 (2023).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Saveh-Shemshaki, N. et al. Electroconductivity, a regenerative engineering approach to reverse rotator cuff muscle degeneration. Regen. Biomater. 10, rbad099 (2023).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Ozaki, J., Fujimoto, S., Masuhara, K., Tamai, S. & Yoshimoto, S. Reconstruction of chronic massive rotator cuff tears with synthetic materials. Clin. Orthop. Rel. Res. 202, 173–183 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Tanaka, N., Sakahashi, H., Hirose, K., Ishima, T. & Ishii, S. Augmented subscapularis muscle transposition for rotator cuff repair during shoulder arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J. Shoulder Elbow Surg. 15, 2–6 (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by funding from 1332329/EFRI/NSF. The authors thank D. Ghosh for manuscript editing and helpful discussions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA

    Elnaz S. Mirdamadi, Seyyedmorteza Attari & Cato T. Laurencin

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Elnaz S. Mirdamadi & Cato T. Laurencin

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Seyyedmorteza Attari & Cato T. Laurencin

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, USA

    Cato T. Laurencin

  5. Department of Chemical & Bimolecular Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    Cato T. Laurencin

Authors
  1. Elnaz S. Mirdamadi
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Seyyedmorteza Attari
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cato T. Laurencin
    View author publications

    Search author on:PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cato T. Laurencin.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

C.T.L. is on the board of directors of Alkermes and Mimedx companies. He is an owner of Healing Orthopaedic Technologies-Bone Inc.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mirdamadi, E.S., Attari, S. & Laurencin, C.T. Standardizing clinical trials for synthetic matrices in rotator cuff tears. Nat Rev Bioeng 3, 441–443 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-025-00292-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Version of record:

  • Issue date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44222-025-00292-8

Search

Advanced search

Quick links

Nature Briefing: Translational Research

Sign up for the Nature Briefing: Translational Research newsletter — top stories in biotechnology, drug discovery and pharma.

Get what matters in translational research, free to your inbox weekly. Sign up for Nature Briefing: Translational Research