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Updated: May 23, 2026
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Development of a Rabbit Chronic-Like Rotator Cuff Injury Model for Study of Fibrosis and Muscular Fatty Degeneration
Published on: March 31, 2023
A mouse model of massive rotator cuff tears
Xuhui Liu1, Dominique Laron, Kyle Natsuhara
1San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Building 2, Room 639, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA. liux@orthosurg.ucsf.edu
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume
|April 11, 2012
Summary
Researchers developed a new mouse model for rotator cuff tears, showing muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration. Denervation worsened these rotator cuff conditions, providing insights into tear pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Orthopaedics
- Musculoskeletal Research
- Animal Modeling
Background:
- Rotator cuff tears are common orthopaedic injuries.
- Muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration are key factors in massive rotator cuff tear repair failure.
- The pathophysiology of these muscle changes is poorly understood due to a lack of suitable animal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mouse model simulating muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration after rotator cuff tears.
- To investigate the impact of denervation on muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration in this model.
Main Methods:
- Adult FVB/N mice underwent supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon transection, suprascapular nerve transection, or both.
- Sham surgery served as a control.
- Histological analysis and MRI evaluated muscle atrophy and fat infiltration 12 weeks post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Rotator cuff tendon transection led to significant muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration.
- Denervation exacerbated muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration following rotator cuff tears.
Conclusions:
- A novel mouse model for massive rotator cuff tears was successfully established.
- This model replicates key pathological changes like muscle atrophy and fatty infiltration observed in human patients.
- The study highlights the significant role of denervation in exacerbating these pathological changes.
