• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical results of using the technique of rotator cuff repair without parting the biceps long head from the glenoid for large or massive tear of the rotator cuff. Material and Methods: Form January 2005 to January 2007, we performed the arthroscopic biceps repair with incorporating suture to the rotator cuff for 21 patients with large or massive rotator cuff tear. The mean follow up period was 23 months (range: 6-48months). The number of males and females was 9 and 13, respectively. The age distribution ranged from 47 to 73 years with a mean age of 60.3 years. We compared the preoperative score with the postoperative scores using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the shoulder index of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and a simple shoulder test (SST). Results: The improvement in the VAS, ASES and the UCLA and SST scores was statistically significant at the final follow up (average follow-up 23 months) (p>0.05). Two of nine cases were found to have partial tear with continuity but seven cases were found to have complete tear according to the ultrasonography and MRI. Conclusion: The technique of rotator cuff repair without parting the biceps long head from the glenoid for large or massive tear of the rotator cuff is considered to be recommendable.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.242-248
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of the arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for partial articular surface tendon avulsion lesion. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients with symptomatic, partial articular surface tendon avulsion underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair between Mar. 2006 and Sep. 2008. The mean follow-up period was 18.3 months(12~36 months), and the mean age at the time of surgery was 46.9-year-old(19~64 years). Three cases had underwent rotator cuff repair after conversion to full-thickness tear and nine cases had transtendon repair with preserving bursal side cuff. Results: The mean VAS during motion was 6.2 before treatment and 2.0 at final follow-up (p<0.001). The passive forward flexion improved from $163.3^{\circ}$ preoperatively to $169.8^{\circ}$ postoperatively (p=0.038). The mean UCLA score improved from 18.4 preoperatively to 30.1 with 2 excellent, 8 good and 2 fair results at final follow-up. The mean KSS improved from 61.8 preoperatively to 76.8 at final follow-up. By examining the postoperative MR images of 5 patients, complete healing was observed in all of them. Conclusion: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair may be an effective procedure for partial articular surface tendon avulsion in pain relief and improvement of the range of motion. If the remaining bursal side cuff fibers are intact, transtendon repair procedure with preserving the intact bursal layer of the tendon can be considered. If the remaining bursal side cuff fibers are friable or little, completion from partial-thickness to full-thickness tears with subsequent cuff repair can be considered.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2008

Purpose: We wanted to assess the accuracy of ultrasound for detecting abnormality of the long head of the biceps tendon in patients with rotator cuff disorders. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and March 2007, we reviewed the arthroscopic findings of biceps tendons in 67 patients with rotator cuff disorder and who underwent ultrasonography pre-operatively. The patients' average age was 58 years and there were 41 males and 26 females. The statuses of the biceps tendons were described as 'normal', 'dislocation', 'subluxation', 'partial or complete tears', and 'tendinopathy'. We investigated the correspondence between the arthroscopic and ultrasonographic findings. Results: On ultrasonography, the biceps tendons were 'normal' in 37 patients and 'abnormal' in 30 patients. On arthroscopy, 5 biceps tendons turned out to have partial tears, which were 'normal' on ultrasonography. On the other hand, 8 biceps tendons were 'normal' which were 'abnormal' on ultrasonography. Three dislocations and 4 complete tears of biceps tendons were identified on arthroscopy, and all of them were detected by ultrasonography. Of the 20 cases of 'tendinopathy' seen on ultrasonography, 15 patients had partial tears and the remaining 5 patients were normal on arthroscopy. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is accurate for detecting some biceps pathologies, such as dislocation or complete tear, but it is not accurate for the detection of partial tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.227-231
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• 2007

A posterior shoulder dislocation with a fracture is rare. Most fractures are impression fractures of the humeral head or lesser tuberosity fractures. However, there are no reports of a complete rupture of the rotator cuff with a combined posterior glenohumeral dislocation. We report a unique case of a posterior shoulder dislocation with an avulsion fracture of the greater tuberosity and a complete rupture of infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis tendons, which were treated surgically.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose is to perform objective evaluation for rotator cuff using ultrasonography and validate factors influencing cuff integrity as well as efficacy of follow-up ultrasonography after unreamed antegrade intramedullary nailing for humerus fracture. Materials and Methods: Seventeen patients with an average age of $55.7{\pm}18.6$ years underwent antegrade intramedullary nailing for humerus fracture and follow-up ultrasonography of shoulder joint. Mean follow-up period was $43.5{\pm}32.2$ months. Intraoperative evaluation for preoperative cuff tear was performed, of which four cuffs were repaired by single row repair technique. Clinical evaluation included visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motion, Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) and American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score. Ultrasonographic evaluation was performed on cuff integrity and protrusion of proximal nail tip as well. Radiographic evaluation included time to union, protrusion of proximal nail tip and migration of proximal interlocking screw which could affect shoulder joint function. Results: Mean VAS at last follow-up was $1.65{\pm}1.84$ points. Range of motion showed forward flexion of $137.0{\pm}33.5^{\circ}$, external rotation of $43.5{\pm}12.7^{\circ}$ and internal rotation of $16.4{\pm}2.0^{\circ}$ while KSS score and ASES score were $79.6{\pm}20.7$ and $83.7{\pm}17.0$ points, respectively. Bone union was demonstrated in all cases and average time to union was $3.4{\pm}1.3$ months. Migration of proximal interlocking screw was shown in 6 cases (35%). On ultrasonographic evaluation, there were normal in 8 (47%), weaving in 4 (24%), partial tear in 5 cases (29%), but no complete tear. Protrusion of proximal nail tip was demonstrated in 8 cases (47%) on plain radiographs whereas in 11 cases (65%) on ultrasonography and was associated with increasing age (p=0.038). Ultrasonographic weaving and partial tear was associated with protrusion of proximal nail tip (p=006), but not with repair of preoperative tear (p>0.05). Conclusion: Because weaving and partial tear on ultrasonography originated from protrusion of proximal nail tip, careful insertion of nail and meticulous repair of cuff during operation lead to stable fixation with satisfactory recovery of shoulder function follow-up ultrasonography can be a useful tool for evaluating protrusion of nail tip and rotator cuff tear, of which diagnosis is difficult on plain X-ray after antegrade intramedullary nailing for humerus fracture.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.180-187
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• 2010

Purpose: Rotator cuff tears involving the subscapularis are less common than those involving the superior and posterior rotator cuff. The purpose of the present study was to report the clinical results of repair of isolated traumatic tears of the subscapularis tendon. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients (13 males, 2 females; mean age 46.2 years; range 35 to 52) with unilateral ruptures of the subscapularis tendon after trauma who underwent arthroscopic repair between February 2003 and October 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. All the cases were isolated tears of the subscapularis without the involvement of any other rotator cuff tendon and were followed for at least two years (mean 28 months). The entire subscapularis was involved in 9 cases and the tear was localized to the upper two thirds in 6 cases. The preoperative and postoperative status of patients with isolated subscapularis tears were analyzed using the Constant Score, American Shoulder and Elbow Society Index (ASES Index) and postoperative integrity was determined through magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The average clinical outcome scores and strength were all improved significantly at the time of the final follow-up. The constant shoulder score improved from 41.5 to 81.3 points (P<0.05) compared to before surgery and ASES index improved from 46.4 to 89.6 points (P<0.05) postoperatively. Thirteen patients (87%) were satisfied with the result of the treatment. The total tears were significantly more improved by surgery than the partial tears. In 12 of 15 patients (80%) were judged to reveal healed tendon on magnetic resonance imaging at a mean of 13 months postoperatively. The postoperative score was significantly lower for the patients with a failed repair than it was for those with an intact repair (P<0.05). Conclusion: Repair of traumatic isolated subscapularis tears through arthroscopic techniques effectively restores patient function with regard to pain, mobility, strength and postoperative tendon integrity. The postoperative integrity of the repair correlates with the functional results and the total tears were more improved by surgery than the partial tears, but future studies may be needed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2009

Purpose: With the better understanding of cuff function, partial repair or "force couple repair" for treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tear has gained some popularity. However, there were few reports on the results of partial repair. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears who received arthroscopic force-couple repair or partial repair. Materials and Methods: From June 2005 to Feb 2008, arthroscopic partial repairs were performed for 16 irreparable rotator cuff tears among the 101 large to massive rotator cuff tears that were operated on. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were done at the final follow-up. Results: There were 7 men and 9 women with a mean age of 66.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 27.3 month (range: 15-46). The pain VAS improved from 4.4 ($\pm2.50$) to 2.1 ($\pm2.26$) and the functional VAS improved from 46.9 ($\pm16.64$) to 70.0 ($\pm22.80$). The ASES score improved from 39.0 ($\pm10.80$) to 80.3 ($\pm16.78$) and the KSS score was 81.9 ($\pm16.74$) at the final follow-up. The acromio-humeral distance was 6.6 cm ($\pm1.74$) preoperatively and 6.2 cm ($\pm1.69$) postoperatively without significant change (p=0.3874). The degenerative changes had no statistically progressed (p=0.2663). Conclusion: Partial repair for massive rotator cuff injury patients showed improvement in the clinical score without progression of arthritic change at a mean of 2.3 years follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the results of arthroscopic management of an isolated rupture of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors. Materials and Methods: Twenty nine patients with unilateral ruptures of the subscapularis tendon and who underwent arthroscopic repair between February 2001 and October 2007 were reviewed prospectively. All the cases were isolated tears of the subscapularis without the involvement of any other rotator cuff tendon. In 19 patients the tear was localized to the superior one third, in 7 cases the tear was localized to the upper two thirds and the entire tendon was involved in 3 cases. The mean follow up period was 12.2 months (range: 6-26 months). The results of the treatment were assessed by evaluating the constant shoulder score and the pain score before surgery and after surgery. Results: The constant shoulder score improved from $49.9\pm7.3$ to $73.8\pm3.0$ points compared to before surgery and the pain score improved from $4.3\pm3.2$ to $11.2\pm3.0$ points postoperatively. Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of isolated ruptures of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors is a good option for effectively managing these tears.