• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2013

Lesions of the long head biceps tendon pulley are frequent causes of shoulder dysfunction and pain. These lesions cause instability of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB), and intra-articular tear of the subscapularis and the supraspinatus tendon might result from them. The arthroscopic repair of these lesions has not gained widespread acceptance as an effective procedure. Predictable results can be obtained by treating these lesions more definitively with tenotomy or tenodesis. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy and properties of the LHB pulley and to provide treatment strategies for alleviating pulley lesions.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2004

Purpose: To identify associated findings in glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff tear and evaluate its clinical significance, we examined minor and major changes during arthroscopic or mini open repair. Materials & Methods: We reviewed 66 patients of rotator cuff tear treated from March, 2001 to January, 2004. Of 38 cases of small to medium tear, average age was 53 years old and involved in dominant arm in 27 cases. Of 28 cases of large to massive tear, average age was 58 years old and involved in dominant arm in 26 cases. Minor and major associated changes of the glenohumeral joint were evaluated in the tendon of biceps long head, biceps pulley, cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head, labrum and synovium. Results: Minor changes in biceps tendon were in 35% of cases, biceps pulley in 18%, cartilage of humeral head in 27%, cartilage of glenoid in 18%, labrum in 38%, and synovium in 42%. Major changes in biceps tendon were in 6% of cases, biceps pulley in 35%, arthritis of humeral head in 3%, arthritis of glenoid in 2%, labrum in 6%, and synovium in 21 %. Major changes in biceps tendon were 5% in Group I and 7% in Group Ⅱ(p>0.05) and in biceps pulley, 18% and 57% in each (P<0.05). Minor changes of arthritis were prevalent in glenoid cartilage and major changes were more prevalent in humeral head. There were no differences in minor changes of labrum and synovium, but major changes were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ. Conclusion: The prevalence of intraarticular associated changes of rotator cuff tear were 63% in synovium, 54% in labrum, 53% in biceps pulley, 41% in biceps tendon, 30% in humeral head and 20% in glenoid cartilage in order. Major changes of biceps pulley, humeral head, labrum and synovium were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ.