• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.220-226
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• 2019

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of lattisimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer in patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT). We hypothesize that LD tendon transfer would provide safe and satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Methods: From November 2008 to December 2016, 23 patients ($57.5{\pm}4.4years$; 20 male, 3 female) who underwent LD tendon transfer for massive tears, were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were irreparable MRCT. Exclusion criteria included full thickness subscapularis tear, rotator cuff arthropathy, anterosuperior rotator cuff tear, and osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up period was $4.7{\pm}4.0years$ (range, 2-12 years). Clinical assessment (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], Simple Shoulder Test [SST]) and radiographic assessment (osteoarthritis [OA], acromiohumeral distance [AHI]) were evaluated. Results: ASES, UCLA and SST scores, and range of motion (ROM), except internal rotation, improved significantly at the last followup (p<0.05). Also, AHI was significantly improved at the last follow-up, from 6.6 mm to 8.2 mm (p=0.008). At the final follow-up, the radiologic stages of the glenohumeral osteoarthritis were determined as stage 1 in 9 patients, stage 2 in 10 patients, stage 3 in 2 patients, and stage 4 in 2 patients. Complications were observed in 21.7% cases: 3 re-tears and 2 infections were noted in our study. Conclusions: LD tendon transfer for irreparable MRCT provides satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Mild degenerative osteoarthritis (stage 1, 2) of the shoulder joint are common at the mid-term follow-up. Also, complications such as tear, infection should be considered.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.55-65
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• 2021

Background: Although ultrasound-guided needle decompression (US-GND) can treat calcific tendinitis of the shoulder effectively, repeat procedures might be required for unresolved symptoms. We evaluated the overall clinical outcomes of US-GND with subacromial steroid injection and the final results and factors predisposing toward repeat procedures. Methods: Ninety-eight patients who underwent US-GND for calcific tendinitis of the supraspinatus/infraspinatus were analyzed between March 2017 and December 2018. The clinical outcomes (pain visual analog scale, functional visual analog scale [FVAS], and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES] score) and final subjective satisfaction were compared between groups A (single US-GND) and B (repeat US-GND). The factors predisposing toward repeated US-GNDs were analyzed. Results: We found that 59.3% (58/98) of patient ASES scores were ≥80, and 73.5% of patients (72/98) were satisfied with the outcome. Group B (n=14) demonstrated a significantly higher rate of dominant-arm involvement compared to group A (78.6% vs. 48.8%, p=0.046). However, initial calcification size, shape, number, density, subscapularis involvement, lavage, and procedure time did not differ significantly between the groups. Group B showed poorer final FVAS (7 [interquartile range, 6-8] vs. 8 [interquartile range, 7-9], p=0.036) and subjective satisfaction compared to group A (satisfied: 5 [35.7%] vs. 67 [79.8%], p<0.001]. Conclusions: US-GND with subacromial steroid injection is a viable treatment option for calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Dominant-arm involvement was the only independent factor for repeated US-GND. Final outcome of repeated US-GND for unimproved patients was promising; however, these outcomes were poor compared to those of the patients who improved after the first procedure.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.4-8
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• 2021

Background: As nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids have similar effects, steroids can be avoided to reduce adverse effects. This study aimed to compare the differences in symptom improvement after subacromial injection of steroids or NSAIDs. Methods: Sixty patients with rotator cuff syndrome for at least 3 months were enrolled and divided into steroid and NSAID groups. The steroid group received a mixture of 1 mL of triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%, while the NSAID group received a mixture of 1 mL of Ketorolac Tromethamine (30 mg/mL) and 1 mL of lidocaine hydrochloride 2%. The patients were assessed before and at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Shoulder scores from visual analog scale (VAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) were used for evaluation. Results: Both groups showed improvements in the clinical outcomes. Overall VAS, ASES, and UCLA scores improved from 6.9, 32.7, and 16.0 before the procedure to 2.0, 1.2, and 1.1; 81.5, 87.6, and 88.5; and 29.7, 31.8, and 32.0 at weeks 3, 6, and 12 weeks after the procedure, respectively. Twenty-six patients (86.7%) in the steroid group and 28 (93.3%) in the NSAID group reported satisfactory treatment outcomes. There were no significant differences in the outcomes between the two groups (p=0.671). Conclusions: Subacromial injection of NSAIDs for rotator cuff tendinitis with shoulder pain had equivalent outcomes with those of steroid injection at the 12-week follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.140-144
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• 2022

Background: Ultrasound (US)-guided techniques reported for the treatment of calcific tendinitis have mostly demonstrated good results. This study investigates the effect of US-guided barbotage using a spinal needle in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Methods: Thirty-six patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder treated by US-guided barbotage with a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection were included in the study. We evaluated clinical outcomes based on American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain score. Radiological outcomes were assessed by X-ray imaging at each visit. Results: Our results showed that US-guided barbotage and subacromial steroid injection produced good clinical and radiological outcomes in patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder. Of the 36 patients, only one required surgical treatment, while the others showed improvement without any complications. Compared to values before the procedure, calcific deposit size and VAS, ASES, and Constant scores showed significant improvement 6 weeks after the procedure. No significant correlation was found between the initial calcific deposit size and clinical outcomes at each time point. Conclusions: In patients with calcific tendinitis of the shoulder, US-guided barbotage using a spinal needle and subacromial steroid injection can yield satisfactory clinical and radiological results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.210-216
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• 2022

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), first introduced as a management option for cuff tear arthropathy, is now an accepted treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures. Few studies have identified whether the outcomes of RSA for shoulder trauma are comparable to those of RSA for shoulder arthritis. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of all patients who underwent RSA at our institution between January 2013 and December 2019. In total, 49 patients met the inclusion criteria. As outcomes, we evaluated the 1-year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant shoulder scores, postoperative shoulder range of motion, intra- and postoperative complications, and cumulative revision rate. The patients were grouped based on preoperative diagnosis to compare postoperative outcomes across two broad groups. Results: The median follow-up period was 32.8 months (interquartile range, 12.6-66.6 months). The 1-year visual analog scale, range of motion, and Constant and ASES functional scores were comparable between RSAs performed to treat shoulder trauma and that performed for arthritis. The overall complication rate was 20.4%, with patients with a preoperative diagnosis of arthritis having significantly more complications than those with a preoperative diagnosis of trauma (34.8% vs. 7.7%). Conclusions: Patients who underwent RSA due to a proximal humeral fracture or dislocation did not fare worse than those who underwent RSA for arthritis at 1 year, in terms of both functional and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2022

Background: Subscapularis tendon insertion at the first facet has separate layers (deep and superficial). The purpose of this study is to evaluate postoperative clinical outcomes and radiological healing according to each layer of detachment in the first facet involving subscapularis tendon tear. Methods: Eighty-three patients who underwent arthroscopic repair due to First facet involving the scapularis tendon tear accompanying small to medium sized posterosuperior cuff tear were classified into three groups (group A: deep layer partial detachment, group B: deep layer complete detachment, but no superficial layer detachment, and group C: deep layer and superficial layer complete detachment). Subscapularis tendon healing was evaluated using computed tomography arthrogram and clinical result was evaluated using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, Constant score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score. Results: Retear rate of the subscapularis tendon was 2.2%, 18.2%, and 33.3% in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. These rates showed statistically significant difference among the three groups, which were classified by deep and superficial layer detachment in the first facet (p=0.003). Group A showed significant difference in subscapularis tendon healing compared with group B and group C (p=0.018 and p<0.001, respectively), but there was no statistical difference between group B and group C (p=0.292). Regarding clinical outcomes, there was no significant difference among three groups in ASES and UCLA score at final follow-up (p=0.070 and p=0.106, respectively). Conclusions: Complete detachment of deep layer may be related with retear occurrence regardless with detachment of superficial layer, but clinical outcome may not be related with each layer detachment in the first facet involving subscapularis tendon tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.202-209
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of our study was to investigate short-term outcomes of two-stage reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) with an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer for shoulder infection. Methods: Eleven patients with shoulder infection were treated by two-stage RTSA following temporary antibiotic-loaded cement spacer. Of the 11 shoulders, nine had pyogenic arthritis combined with complex conditions such as recurrent infection, extensive osteomyelitis, osteoarthritis, or massive rotator cuff tear and two had periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). The mean follow-up period was 29.9 months (range, 12-48 months) after RTSA. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, subjective shoulder value (SSV), and serial plain radiographs. Results: The mean time from antibiotic-loaded cement spacer to RTSA was 9.2 months (range, 1-35 months). All patients had no clinical and radiographic signs of recurrent infection at final follow-up. The mean final VAS score, ASES score, and SSV were significantly improved from 4.5, 38.6, and 29.1% before RTSA to 1.7, 75.1, and 75.9% at final follow-up, respectively. The mean forward flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation were improved from 50.0°, 50.9°, 17.7°, and sacrum level before RTSA to 127.3°, 110.0°, 51.8°, and L2 level at final follow-up, respectively. Conclusions: Two-stage RTSA with antibiotic-loaded cement spacer yields satisfactory short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes. In patients with pyogenic arthritis combined with complex conditions or PJI, two-stage RTSA with an antibiotic-loaded cement spacer would be a successful approach to eradicate infection and to improve function with pain relief.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.166-171
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• 2021

Background: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of steroid injections during the rehabilitation period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ACRC). Methods: Among patients who underwent ARCR, 117 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Pain and range of motion (ROM) recovery at the 3-, 6-, and 24-month follow-up visits and functional outcome at the 24-month follow-up were compared between 45 patients who received ultrasound-guided subacromial steroid injection at postoperative week 4 or 6 and 72 patients who did not. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant score. Healing of the repaired tendon and retear were observed at the 6-month follow-up via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) arthrography. Results: At the 3-month follow-up, the steroid injection group showed lower visual analog scale scores than the control group (p<0.05) and showed faster recovery of forward flexion and internal rotation (p<0.05). From the 6-month follow-up, the two groups did not show differences in pain and ROM, and the ASES score and Constant score also did not significantly differ at the 24-month follow-up. The two groups did not differ in retear rate as determined by MRI or CT arthrography at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that ultrasound-guided subacromial steroid injection at 4 or 6 weeks after ARCR leads to quick pain reduction and ROM recovery until 3 months after surgery. Therefore, subacromial steroid injection is speculated to be an effective and relatively safe method to assist rehabilitation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.71-81
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• 2023

Background: This study evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of onlay patch augmentation in rotator cuff repair for moderate-to-large tears in elderly patients. Methods: We reviewed 24 patients who underwent onlay augmentation with dermal allograft after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from January 2017 to March 2020. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >65 years with tears >2.5 cm, who were followed for >12 months after surgery, and patients who could raise their arms above 90° preoperatively. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and VAS for satisfaction were used as clinical outcomes. For the evaluation of cuff integrity, magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed every 3 months after surgery. The results were compared before and after surgery in all patients and between the retear and intact groups. Results: The average follow-up period was 16.38 months, and the mean age of patients was 71.05 years. All patients showed significant improvement in ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and pain VAS at the last evaluation. The average value of satisfaction VAS was 7.27/10. The retear rate was 25% (6/24) if Sugaya type 3 was categorized in the retear group, otherwise 16.7% (4/24), if Sugaya type 3 was categorized into the intact group. Irrespective of Sugaya type 3 being included in the retear group, there was no significant difference in outcome variables between the intact and retear groups during follow-up. Conclusions: In moderate-to-large rotator cuff tear in elderly patients, onlay patch augmentation improved clinical outcomes. Retear did not adversely affect clinical outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.288-295
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• 2022

Background: There is no standardized therapeutic strategy for locked posterior shoulder fracture-dislocation (PSFD), and no consensus exists on the analysis of preoperative factors. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate functional results and complications in a series of PSFD cases managed with open surgical treatment. Methods: Patients diagnosed with locked PSFD who underwent open surgical treatment with reduction and osteosynthesis between April 2016 and March 2020 were included. All participants were treated with open reduction and internal fixation. Functional assessment used the modified University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) mod scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) questionnaire, subjective shoulder value (SSV), and visual analog scale (VAS). Complications were evaluated clinically and radiologically by X-ray and computed tomography. Results: Twelve shoulders were included (11 patients; mean age, 40.6 years; range, 19- 62 years). The mean follow-up duration was 23.3 months (range, 12-63 months). The UCLA mod, ASES, SSV, and VAS scores were 29.1±3.7, 81.6±13.5, 78±14.8, and 1.2±1.4 points, respectively. The overall complication rate was 16.6%, with one case of post-traumatic stiffness, 1 case of chronic pain, and no cases of avascular necrosis. Conclusions: Open surgical treatment of locked PSFD can achieve good functional results. A correct understanding of these injuries and good preoperative planning helped us to achieve a low rate of complications.