Every year, two million Americans injure their rotator cuff, with many teenagers experiencing shoulder injuries while playing sports like baseball, volleyball, or swimming. Surgeries can help, but only about one in three are successful. A new device inspired by snake teeth aims to improve outcomes for rotator cuff surgeries. Read more about it here.
The rotator cuff consists of muscles and tendons in the shoulder that can be injured through tears and inflammation, leading to pain and limited joint use. Traditional surgeries aim to repair torn tendons by reattaching them to the arm bone, but the sutures may cause re-tearing due to the concentrated force on specific points.
To address the re-tearing issue, a team developed a device with rows of sharp “teeth” that provide additional attachment points to reduce force on each piece of tissue, improving surgery outcomes. This new approach aims to enhance the success rate of rotator cuff surgeries.
To learn more about the development of this innovative system and how it could revolutionize rotator cuff surgeries, submit your questions and stay tuned for more updates in the next Science News Explores issue.
Source: www.snexplores.org
