Compositions and Methods for Treating Rotator Cuff Injuries

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for attaching tendon to bone. The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating rotator cuff injuries. In one embodiment, a method for treating rotator cuff injuries comprises providing a composition comprising PDGF disposed in a biocompatible matrix and applying the composition to at least one site of tendon reattachment on the humeral head.

1 . A method for attaching a tendon to a bone comprising:
 providing a composition comprising a PDGF solution disposed in a biocompatible matrix; and   applying the composition to at least one site of tendon reattachment on the bone.   
     
     
         2 . A method for treating rotator cuff tears comprising:
 providing a composition comprising a PDGF solution disposed in a biocompatible matrix; and   applying the composition to at least one site of tendon reattachment on the humeral head.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one site of tendon attachment comprises a channel in cortical bone of the humeral head. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the channel comprises a size and a shape that corresponds to a tendon attachment footprint. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising disposing at least one bone anchor in the humeral head and coupling at least one detached tendon to the bone anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one bone anchor comprises the PDGF solution disposed in the biocompatible matrix. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one tendon is coupled to the at least one bone anchor through at least one suture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein disposing at least one bone anchor in the humeral head comprises drilling at least one hole in the humeral head. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising molding the composition to contours of the tendon reattachment site. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein applying the composition comprises injecting the composition at the tendon reattachment site. 
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a tendon comprising:
 providing a composition comprising a PDGF solution disposed in a biocompatible matrix; and   applying the composition to a surface of at least one tendon.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one tendon has tearing, delamination, strain, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the biocompatible matrix comprises a scaffolding material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the scaffolding material comprises β-tricalcium phosphate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the scaffolding material comprises a collagen patch. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the PDGF solution has a concentration of PDGF ranging from about 0.01 mg/ml to about 10 mg/ml. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the PDGF solution has a concentration of PDGF ranging from about 0.1 mg/ml to about 0.3 mg/ml. 
     
     
         18 . A method of strengthening the attachment of a tendon to bone comprising:
 providing a composition comprising a PDGF solution disposed in a biocompatible matrix; and   applying the composition to a site of tendon attachment to bone.