• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.95-99
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of locking plate fixation with fibular strut allograft to manage unstable osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 15 patients who underwent open reduction and locking plate fixation with fibular strut allograft for osteoporotic proximal humerus fracture between July 2011 and June 2015. For functional evaluation, we evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, and active range of motion. For radiological evaluation, shoulder true anteroposterior (AP) and AP in $20^{\circ}$ external rotation, as well as the axillary view were taken at two weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. And the neck-shaft angle was measured on the AP view in $20^{\circ}$ external rotation view. Results: At the one-year follow-up, mean VAS pain score and all shoulder scores, including ASES score and UCLA shoulder score, exhibited satisfactory clinical outcomes. All patients obtained bone union between three and six months post-procedure. Moreover, the mean immediate postoperative neck-shaft angle was $138^{\circ}{\pm}4^{\circ}$, and at one-year follow-up, the neck shaft angle was $137^{\circ}{\pm}5^{\circ}$. There was no significant difference between the preoperative and postoperative values (p=0.105). Conclusions: For the unstable two-part and three-part osteoporotic proximal humerus fractures with medial calcar comminution, the use of fibular strut allograft with locking plate fixation was effective in maintaining the initial status of reduction and exhibiting the satisfactory functional and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2017

Background: Although there have been multiple reports on surgical outcomes of superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions in overhead athletes, only a few reports exist in the literature about the results of nonoperative treatment in elite (collegiate or professional) overhead athletes. To determine the clinical outcomes of nonoperative treatment of SLAP lesions in elite overhead athletes. Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2011, 69 patients were selected. Initial arthroscopic SLAP repair was performed in 19 patients and of the 50 patients who underwent nonsurgical treatment, such as range of motion gain and periscapular muscle strengthening, 14 patients were converted to surgical treatment; 5 patients were lost to follow-up. Medical records of 31 elite overhead athletes who underwent nonsurgical treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Four clinical outcome measures were used: visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, VAS for satisfaction, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and subjective feeling of recovery. Results: The average follow-up period was 35.9 months (range, 24-62 months). The VAS for pain decreased from 6.5 to 2.2 (p<0.01) and VAS for satisfaction was 7.6. The ASES score increased from 54.1 to 85.9 (p<0.01). The overall average value of subjective feeling of recovery was 72%. Twenty-three out of 31 elite athletes (74.2%) returned to play after rehabilitation; these 23 athletes performed at the same or higher levels after rehabilitation. Conclusions: Nonsurgical treatment in elite overhead athletes with SLAP lesion should be considered as a treatment option.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.84-89
• /
• 2017

Background: Common and effective treatments for calcific tendinitis involve needling procedures. However, it has been widespread practice to refer patients with calcific tendinitis, which is a predominantly orthopedic condition, to radiology department. The purpose of this study was to compare clinical and radiological outcomes after ultrasound-guided needling for calcific tendinitis between the orthopedics and radiology department. Methods: Seventy-seven shoulders (Group 1) and 38 shoulders (Group 2) treated in the radiology and orthopedic department, respectively. A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and a musculoskeletal radiologist each performed the procedure of ultrasound-guided needle decompression with subacromial steroid injection. Clinical outcomes was evaluated using the visual analogue scale for pain (pVAS) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score before treatment and at each follow-up. The pre- and postneedling size and shape of the calcific deposits were compared between the two groups. Results: We analyzed a total of 56 shoulders for Group 1 and 32 shoulders for Group 2. The mean age and sex ratio of the patients no significantly different. We found that the mean decrease in the diameter of calcification between pre- and post-needling was 9.0 mm for Group 1 and 13.1 mm for Group 2; the difference was significantly larger in Group 2 than in Group 1. Both groups showed improved pVAS and ASES scores after needling but the extent of these improvements did not differ with the type of operator. Conclusions: Needling decompression performed by orthopedic surgeons could a viable option for the treatment of calcific tendinitis.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.91-95
• /
• 2015

Background: Our aim was to make a comparative analysis of radiological and clinical outcomes of using either one or two interlocking distal screws on a Polarus intramedullary nail for the internal fixation of humeral shaft fractures. Methods: From January 2008 to March 2014, we enrolled 26 patients with humeral shaft fractures who were operated on using intramedullary nails. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to how many interlocking distal screws were used to lock the Polarus nail: in group 1, a single interlocking distal screw was used in 12 patients; and in group 2, double interlocking distal screws, in 14 patients. We compared the degree of recovery of the displaced fracture fragments between the two groups. To compare the nonunion and shoulder function, we assessed each patient's modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgerns (ASES) score. Results: We found that 10 of 12 fractures achieved union in group 1, and 13 of 14 fractures, in group 2. We did not find a meaningful difference in the time to bone union between the two groups. The percentage of recovery of displaced fracture fragments until union was 66.9% for group 1 and 59.41% for group 2. At the final follow-up, we found that the scores for shoulder joint modified ASES was 78.7 for group 1 and 80.7 for group 2. Conclusions: Our results show that if locked appropriately, even a single screw on a Polarus nail can provide satisfactory radiological union and improved clinical outcome after intramedullary nailing of humeral shaft fractures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2017

Background: Isolated infraspinatus tear is very rare and clinical features are not as well known, therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical characteristics and outcomes of isolated infraspinatus tear that authors experienced. Methods: Authors reviewed 288 cases of full-thickness rotator cuff tear involving infraspinatus between 2010 and 2015, and retrospectively analyzed six cases of isolated infraspinatus tear. Perioperative clinical characteristics, postoperative functional outcomes of 6 months were investigated. Functional evaluation included visual analogue scale (VAS), range of motions, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and Constant score. Results: Calcific tendinitis was accompanied in 4 cases (66.7%). Three of them received steroid injection or aspiration or extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Mean preoperative pain VAS was 7.1 (range, 5-9), and mean postoperative pain VAS at 6 months later was 1.6 (range, 0-5). Preoperative muscle strength by isokinetic muscle performance test showed 52% deficit of abduction and 37.6% deficit of external rotation. All 6 patients had arthroscopic repair of the infraspinatus tendon. All the patients at the 6 months follow-up exhibited clinical improvement in the Constant score (67.8 [range, 45-77] to 89.3 [range, 81-100], p=0.029), and ASES score (52.3 [range, 30-77] to 90.0 [range, 80-100], p=0.002). There was no healing failure on imaging. Conclusions: Isolated infraspinatus tendon tear was frequently accompanied by calcific tendinitis, but pathophysiologic relationship should need more study. To rule out neurogenic etiology, magnetic resonance imaging and electromyography would be helpful. Arthroscopic infraspinatus tendon repair and supraspinatus debridement showed relatively good result in painful shoulder.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.24-29
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcome in patients aged less than 55 years who underwent arthroscopic tenodesis and arthroscopic repair for type 2 superior labrum anterior and posterior (SLAP) lesions. Methods: Between April 2008 and December 2014, surgery was performed on a total of 45 patients with isolated type 2 SLAP lesions. Arthroscopic repair was performed in 22 patients and arthroscopic tenodesis was performed in 23 patients. In both groups, the clinical outcomes at follow-ups were evaluated using the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Results: In both groups, the VAS scores for pain had improved significantly throughout the postoperative follow-up period. The VAS score showed a statistically significant difference at postoperative 3 and 6 months (p<0.05); however, there was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative results at 12 months (p>0.05). In both groups, the functional outcome was statistically improved postoperatively. In a comparison of the UCLA and ASES scores between the two groups, there was a statistically significant difference at postoperative 3 and 6 months (p<0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative results at 12 months (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the results of this and other studies, patients with isolated type 2 SLAP lesions showed better short-term clinical outcome with tenodesis than with repair. However, there was no difference between the two groups at the final follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare clinical and radiological outcomes between trans-acromial fixation with Kirschner's wire (K-wire) and AO locking hook plate fixation for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. Methods: This study included 61 patients who underwent either closed reduction and trans-acromial fixation with K-wire (group A, 23 patients) or open reduction and internal fixation with AO locking hook plate (group B, 38 patients). Pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and active range of motion (ROM) were used in the functional evaluation. For radiological evaluation, coracoclavicular distance (CCD) was measured on both clavicular anteroposterior view and compared between groups. Results: At one-year follow-up, no significant differences in VAS pain score, UCLA shoulder score, ASES score, and active ROM were observed between groups, despite five cases (22.7%, 5/23) of complication in group A. The side-to-side difference between normal and affected CCD was $2.4{\pm}2.2mm$ in group A and $0.2{\pm}0.7mm$ in group B. This difference showed a statistical significance between groups (p<0.001). Conclusions: For the treatment of acute AC joint dislocation, the K-wire trans-acromial fixation group showed a significantly greater CCD than the AO locking hook plate group. In addition, during the follow-up period, much higher incidence of complication related to implant was observed in the trans-acromial fixation group. Although clinical outcomes between groups were not significantly different, these results should be interpreted carefully.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.73-77
• /
• 2016

Background: The first purpose of this study is to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of surgical treatment for displaced midshaft clavicle fracture (Robinson type 2B1 vs. 2B2) with 3.5-mm low profile clavicular locking compression plate. The second purpose is to evaluate the difference of the results depending on the presence of accompanying injuries. Methods: Forty-nine patients who underwent an operation for the fractures were reviewed retrospectively. Fracture patterns were classified according to group 2B1 and 2B2 using Robinson's classification. For radiological outcome, time to union after operation was evaluated and for clinical outcome, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated from preoperative period to last follow-up period. Results: The mean time for union was not significantly different in the 2B1 group and 2B2 group (p=0.062). No statistically significant difference in ASES score, UCLA score, and VAS was observed between 2B1 and 2B2 (p=0.619, p=0.896, p=0.856, respectively). In ROM, significant higher mean forward flexion and abduction was observed in 2B2 (p=0.025, p=0.017, respectively) and there was no difference in external rotation and external rotation at shoulder $90^{\circ}$ abduction position (p=0.130, p=0.180, respectively). There was no significant difference in clinical outcomes according to the accompanying injuries. Conclusions: There was no difference in clinical and radiological outcome between Robinson 2B1 and 2B2 type fracture after the operation. Accompanying injuries may not affect the clinical result of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.80-85
• /
• 2020

Background: Atelocollagen has been studied for restoration of rotator cuff tendon. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the clinical outcome of ultrasound-guided atelocollagen injection in an outpatient clinic for patients with partial rotator cuff tear. Methods: We recruited 42 outpatients who visited our hospital from May 2019 to September 2019. Atelocollagen injection was performed in patients with partial rotator cuff tear diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Constant, Korean Shoulder Score (KSS) and Simple Shoulder Test (SST) scores, and range of motion were assessed before injection and after 2 months. Statistically, we analyzed the clinical results using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Finally, 15 patients were enrolled for analysis. There was no significant difference between pre- and post-injection in terms of range of motion, ASES (57.0 vs. 60.4), Constant (56.4 vs. 58.9), KSS (64.6 vs. 68.5), and pain-visual analog scale (4.2 vs. 3.7), except function-visual analog scale (F-VAS; 6.3 vs. 7.1) and SST (6.6 vs. 6.9). A significant difference was found in SST (P=0.046) and F-VAS (P=0.009). According to the ultrasound results at 2 months, we found hyperechoic materials in three of seven patients. The most common complication of atelocollagen injection was post-injection pain (53%, 8/15). Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided atelocollagen injection for partial rotator cuff tear showed no significant change in terms of clinical outcomes, except for F-vas and SST score. Tendon regeneration was not clear due to the remnants of atelocollagen present at 2-month follow-up ultrasound. There seems to be alarming post-injection pain for 2 to 3 days in the patients who received atelocollagen injection in an outpatient clinic.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.20-24
• /
• 2016

Background: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is one of the treatment options used for patients with myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), although its effectiveness is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ESWT in the treatment of MPS in terms of pain relief and functional improvements. Methods: We assessed 93 patients with MPS who underwent ESWT from March 2009 to July 2014. After exclusion of 25 patients with shoulder diseases, 68 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean follow-up period was 7.5 months (${\pm}4.2weeks$), and the average duration of symptoms was 5 months (range, 2-16 months). ESWT was applied to intramuscular taut bands and referred pain areas once a week for 3 weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) scores were obtained at an initial assessment and at the 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month follow-up assessments. Results: VAS pain scores and ASES scores improved significantly after 3 sessions of ESWT (p<0.05). Both scores were improved, although not significantly, after 6 weeks (p>0.05). Conclusions: ESWT is an effective treatment option for patients with MPS.