Although the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has identified a clear epidemiological link between repetitive arm motion and shoulder disorders in the workplace, there are few scientific data available regarding the biomechanics of this connection. Shoulder overuse injuries may initially manifest as diffuse shoulder pain, however, the vast majority reflect pathology of the rotator cuff tendons in the subacromial space. The long-term goal of our research agenda is to identify the important biomechanical mechanisms associated with work related rotator cuff injuries and subsequently develop intervention and prevention strategies that address these mechanisms. The objective of this application is to identify the link between the integrity of the rotator cuff mechanism and its loading environment. To accomplish this objective, we have developed three specific aims. Our first specific aim is to establish the in-vivo kinematic response to diminished rotator cuff function in a nerve block model. Our second specific aim is to establish the in-vivo kinematic response to high risk occupational work. Our third specific aim is to establish the biomechanical consequences of altered in-vivo kinematics. It is our expectation that the proposed research plan will identify the direct consequences of diminished cuff function observed in the workplace. These results will be significant because they represent the next step towards understanding the progression from fatigue and weakness to abnormal loading. Since there is strong evidence to support the concept that abnormal loading may lead to a progression from acute tendinitis to chronic rotator cuff tears, the results from this proposal will also serve as the basis for more effective treatment and prevention strategies. ? ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01OH008288-02
Application #
7390315
Study Section
Safety and Occupational Health Study Section (SOH)
Program Officer
Frederick, Linda J
Project Start
2007-03-01
Project End
2011-02-28
Budget Start
2008-03-01
Budget End
2009-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2008
Total Cost
$249,653
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Oregon
Department
Physiology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
948117312
City
Eugene
State
OR
Country
United States
Zip Code
97403
San Juan, Jun G; Kosek, Peter; Karduna, Andrew R (2013) Humeral head translation after a suprascapular nerve block. J Appl Biomech 29:371-9
Acuna, Miguel; Karduna, Andrew R (2012) Wrist activity monitor counts are correlated with dynamic but not static assessments of arm elevation exposure made with a triaxial accelerometer. Ergonomics 55:963-70
Ettinger, Luke; McClure, Philip; Kincl, Laurel et al. (2012) Exposure to a workday environment results in an increase in anterior tilting of the scapula in dental hygienists with greater employment experience. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 27:341-5
Acuna, Miguel; Amasay, Tal; Karduna, Andrew R (2010) The reliability of side to side measurements of upper extremity activity levels in healthy subjects. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 11:168
Amasay, Tal; Latteri, Michael; Karduna, Andrew R (2010) In vivo measurement of humeral elevation angles and exposure using a triaxial accelerometer. Hum Factors 52:616-26
San Juan, Jun G; Karduna, Andrew R (2010) Measuring humeral head translation using fluoroscopy: a validation study. J Biomech 43:771-4