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NCT Number: NCT07592936

Repeated Injections of Adipose-derived Stem Cells in Rotator Cuff Tears

The aim of the project is to investigate whether repeated implantations of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT), into the shoulder muscle can improve the outcome of standard surgical treatment for rotator cuff tears (RCT). The investigators hypothesize that combining surgery with repeated implantations of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) into the muscle provides a more effective treatment for patients with rotator cuff tears compared to standard surgical treatment. The result would be better outcomes such as improved shoulder functioning and reduced pain.

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Key information

Age range

30 year–69 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1 / Phase 2

About this study

Treatment of RCTs with micro-fragmented adipose tissue is a minimal invasive procedure with the potential to shorten recovery, accelerate return to daily activity and work and improve functional outcomes compared to conventional surgery alone.

This study will provide evidence on whether three MFAT injections can augment conventional rotator cuff tear treatment. It will also assess the feasibility of implementing this treatment as part of standard care, given its potential for easy standardization. In addition to offering a novel therapeutic approach, the project will correlate functional outcomes with data from muscle biopsies, phenotypic composition of the implanted cells, imaging modalities, and patient reported outcomes. This study will generate critical new knowledge and serve as a cornerstone for the development of precision regenerative medicine in shoulder pathology. By elucidating patient-specific biological responses and therapeutic outcomes, the investigators aim to advance personalized treatment strategies for rotator cuff tears. Building on these findings, we aim to launch a clinical trial to further validate precision medicine as a standard therapeutic approach for patients suffering from rotator cuff tears.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Clinical signs and symptoms compatible with a traumatic RCT
  • MR verified supraspinatus tear
  • Reparable lesion with tendon retraction < 2 cm.
  • Fatty infiltration level 0-2 according to Fuchs or out of 5 based on Goutalliers classification
  • No history of inflammatory disease
  • Negative infectious disease marker tests Signed consent to the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Former surgery in the affected shoulder
  • Signs of infection
  • Immunosuppression (due to clinical condition or medical therapy)
  • Any malignancy within 5 years prior to screening
  • Previous radiotherapy to the shoulder
  • BMI under 18
  • BMI above 35
  • Allergy to antibiotics such as penicillin
  • Coagulopathy

Treatment and study plan

Adipose derived stem cell injection

Biological

A total of 5 mL of the stem cell suspension is injected into the supraspinatus muscle at three predefined sites located at the musculotendinous junction. For each site, 1.5-2.0 mL of the suspension is administered using an 18-gauge syringe.

Adipose derived stem cell injections for the triple injection will be repeated at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively. These follow-up treatments will be performed in an outpatient clinic.

Placebo

Biological

Standard care

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS)

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) is a 12-item, patient-reported questionnaire designed to measure pain and functional impairment in patients with shoulder pain. It assesses symptoms over the past four weeks, with a modified scoring method (0-4 per question) totaling 0-48 (48 being the best, 0, worst).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) at 3 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 months

    The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) is a 12-item, patient-reported questionnaire designed to measure pain and functional impairment in patients with shoulder pain. It assesses symptoms over the past four weeks, with a modified scoring method (0-4 per question) totaling 0-48 (48 being the best, 0, worst).

  2. Change in the Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    The Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) is a 12-item, patient-reported questionnaire designed to measure pain and functional impairment in patients with shoulder pain. It assesses symptoms over the past four weeks, with a modified scoring method (0-4 per question) totaling 0-48 (48 being the best, 0, worst).

  3. Change in Quality of Life at 3 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 months

    Quality of life will be measured using the EQ5D questionaire, a 5-component scale including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. This scale is numbered from 0 to 100. 100 = best health and 0 = worst health.

  4. Change in Quality of Life at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Quality of life will be measured using the EQ5D questionaire, a 5-component scale including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. This scale is numbered from 0 to 100. 100 = best health and 0 = worst health.

  5. Change in Quality of Life at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Quality of life will be measured using the EQ5D questionaire, a 5-component scale including mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. This scale is numbered from 0 to 100. 100 = best health and 0 = worst health.

  6. Change in Radiological healing at 3 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 months

    Defined as the distance between the bone and the tendon (distance of the gap) measured in millimeters. Using speckle tracking ultrasound (STU), the muscle contraction expressed as deformation of the muscle tissue (muscle strain) will be recorded. Muscle contractility is a direct indicator of functional recovery and STU assessments.

  7. Change in Radiological healing at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Defined as the distance between the bone and the tendon (distance of the gap) measured in millimeters. Using speckle tracking ultrasound (STU), the muscle contraction expressed as deformation of the muscle tissue (muscle strain) will be recorded. Muscle contractility is a direct indicator of functional recovery and STU assessments.

  8. Change in Radiological healing at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Defined as the distance between the bone and the tendon (distance of the gap) measured in millimeters. Using speckle tracking ultrasound (STU), the muscle contraction expressed as deformation of the muscle tissue (muscle strain) will be recorded. Muscle contractility is a direct indicator of functional recovery and STU assessments.

  9. Change in infiltration with Goutallier at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Infiltration of muscle tissue by fat measured according to Goutallier classification. This classification is a five grade scale. Grade 0: normal muscle Grade 1: Some fatty streaks Grade 2: Less than 50% fatty muscle atrophy Grade 3: 50% muscle atrophy Grade 4: More than 50% fatty muscle atrophy

  10. Change in infiltration with Goutallier at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Infiltration of muscle tissue by fat measured according to Goutallier classification. This classification is a five grade scale. Grade 0: normal muscle Grade 1: Some fatty streaks Grade 2: Less than 50% fatty muscle atrophy Grade 3: 50% muscle atrophy Grade 4: More than 50% fatty muscle atrophy

  11. Change in infiltration with Fuchs at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Infiltration of muscle tissue by fat measured according to Fuchs classification. This classification is a three grade scale. Grade 0: normal muscle or some fatty streaks Grade 1: less than 50% fatty muscle atrophy Grade 2: 50% or more muscle atrophy

  12. Change in infiltration with Fuchs at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Infiltration of muscle tissue by fat measured according to Fuchs classification. This classification is a three grade scale. Grade 0: normal muscle or some fatty streaks Grade 1: less than 50% fatty muscle atrophy Grade 2: 50% or more muscle atrophy

  13. Change in the range of pain free movement at 3 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 3 months

    Clinical healing is defined as pain-free movement about shoulder level, clinically measured by an experienced physician post surgery by the use of strength test equipment. The strength is measured against resistance and in kilos from the arm in a horizontal plane anterior to the patient

  14. Change in the range of pain free movement at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Clinical healing is defined as pain-free movement about shoulder level, clinically measured by an experienced physician post surgery by the use of strength test equipment. The strength is measured against resistance and in kilos from the arm in a horizontal plane anterior to the patient

  15. Change in the range of pain free movement at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Clinical healing is defined as pain-free movement about shoulder level, clinically measured by an experienced physician post surgery by the use of strength test equipment. The strength is measured against resistance and in kilos from the arm in a horizontal plane anterior to the patient

  16. Change in muscle contraction at 6 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 6 months

    Using speckle tracking ultrasound (STU), the muscle contraction expressed as deformation of the muscle tissue (muscle strain) will be recorded. Muscle contractility is a direct indicator of functional recovery and STU assessments. The measurement will be recorded during gradual, controlled loading

  17. Change in muscle contraction at 12 months

    Time frame: Baseline and 12 months

    Using speckle tracking ultrasound (STU), the muscle contraction expressed as deformation of the muscle tissue (muscle strain) will be recorded. Muscle contractility is a direct indicator of functional recovery and STU assessments. The measurement will be recorded during gradual, controlled loading

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Lars Frich

CONTACT

[email protected]

Stephanie Wej Andkjær

CONTACT

[email protected]

+4579970000

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Southern Denmark

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects and Benefits of Repeated Injections of Adipose-derived Stem Cells on Shoulder Function in Rotator Cuff Tears: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
May 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 12, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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