Faculty

Chunfeng Zhao, M.D.

Clinical Studies

Multi-parametric spatial profiling of the zone II (intrasynovial) flexor tendon fibrotic niche Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of this study is to compare avian tendon healing spatial biology findings to human intrasynovial tendon tissue spatial gene expression. By correlating findings from our avian tendon repair model to human spatial gene expression findings, a comprehensive spatial molecular atlas or map of the zone II/intrasynovial tendon fibrotic niche could be synthesized. Additionally, by validating the biochemical findings in our avian model, we could further establish this preclinical model as a clinically relevant platform for investigating novel therapeutics to enhance intrinsic healing and mitigate peritendinous adhesions formation following zone II tendon injury.

A Non-Invasive Technique for Measuring Tendon Elasticity with Surface Wave Speed for the Patient with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Pilot Study Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of this study is to develop a noninvasive way to measure pressure in the carpal tunnel using shear wave elastography (SWE), which may be useful in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Extensibility of Rotator Cuff Muscle with Tendon Rupture Determined using SWE Rochester, Minn.
Our goal is to determine if the stiffness of supraspinatus muscle can be measured non-invasively before surgery, using ultrasound B-mode together with a new ultrasound technique called Shear Wave Elastography (SWE). The hope is that this assessment of muscle stiffness before surgery will help the doctors to plan the best surgical approach.