The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) has awarded a grant to physical medicine expert Phil McClure, PT, PhD, FAPTA, to study rotator cuff tendinopathy, according to a recent news release. McClure is MedRisk’s chief clinical expert.

The grant, a 4-year award that totals more than $1.9 million will allow McClure to collaborate with Andrew Karduna, PhD, professor of human physiology at the University of Oregon, Eugene, to study shoulder muscle activation patterns and the impact of associated pain and exercise in patients with rotator cuff tendinopahty. The release reports that patients in the study will be tested prior to and after subacromial injection and following a 6-week rehabilitation program. McClure and Karduna will investigate deficits in activation and motor patterns using fine-wire EMG during sub-maximal exertions and issues with neural drive using voluntary activation during maximal efforts.

The release notes that McClure has received numerous awards for his research in shoulder biomechanics and the impact of exercise on patients with shoulder impingement.

Source(s): MedRisk, Expert Clinical Benchmarks (ECB)