• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2018

While non-operative treatment with structured rehabilitation tends to be the strategy of choice in the management of Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint injury, some advocate surgical treatment to prevent persistent pain, disability, and prominence of the distal clavicle. There is no clear consensus regarding when the surgical treatment should be indicated, and successful clinical outcomes have been reported for non-operative treatment in more than 80% of type III acromioclavicular joint injuries. Furthermore, there is no gold standard procedure for operative treatment of type III acromioclavicular joint injury, and more than 60 different procedures have been used for this purpose in clinical practice. Among these surgical techniques, recently introduced arthroscopic-assisted procedures involving a coracoclavicular suspension device are minimally invasive and have been shown to achieve successful coracoclavicular reconstruction in 80% of patients with failed conservative treatment. Taken together, currently available data indicate that successful treatment can be expected with initial conservative treatment in more than 96% of type III acromioclavicular injuries, whereas minimally invasive surgical treatments can be considered for unstable type IIIB injuries, especially in young and active patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the optimal treatment approach in patients with higher functional needs, especially in high-level athletes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.209-214
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• 2021

Background: The treatment for acromioclavicular joint injuries (ACJI) ranges from a conservative approach to extensive surgical reconstruction, and the decision on how to manage these injuries depends on the grade of acromioclavicular (AC) joint separation, resources, and skill availability. After a thorough review of the literature, the researchers adopted a simple cost-effective technique of AC joint reconstruction for acute ACJI requiring surgery. Methods: This was a prospective single-center study conducted between April 2017 and April 2018. For patients with acute ACJI more than Rockwood grade 3, the researchers performed open coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction using synthetic sutures along with an Endobutton and a figure of 8 button plate. This was followed by AC ligament repair augmenting it with temporary percutaneous AC K-wires. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Constant Murley shoulder score. Results: Seventeen patients underwent surgery. The immediate postoperative radiograph showed an anatomical reduction of the AC joint dislocation in all patients. During follow-up, one patient developed subluxation but was asymptomatic. The mean follow-up period was 30 months (range, 24-35 months). The mean Constant score at 24 months was 95. No AC joint degeneration was noted in follow-up X-rays. The follow-up X-rays showed significant infra-clavicular calcification in 11 of the 17 patients, which was an evidence of a healed coracoclavicular ligament post-surgery. Conclusions: This study presents a simple cost-effective technique with a short learning curve for anatomic reconstruction of acute ACJI. The preliminary results have been very encouraging.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy and clinical outcome of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral joint steroid injection on adhesive capsulitis. Materials and Methods: Patients who were diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis by MRI and physical examination and did not improve their symptom with physical therapy and NSAIDS treatment more than 6 months were included in the study. Patients who showed any other shoulder pathology or history if trauma were excluded from the study. 33 patients including 15 males and 18 females were enrolled in the study, the average age being 55.1 (age 42~72). Cocktail of steroid, lidocaine, saline and contrast medium injected inside shoulder glenohumeral joint using novel approach (which we called acromioclavicular approach) under ultrasound guidance. Clinical outcome was measured through passive range of motion and VAS scoring system. Results: Based on radiographic findings, cases were classified according to the leakage of contrast medium; perfect confinement of contrast-medium inside the capsule, partial leakage of the medium and contrast-medium found at outside the joint. Total 25 cases (76%) out of 33 cases showed perfect confinement of contrast-medium inside the glenohumeral joint. Partial leakage was observed in 6 cases (18%), and contrast medium was observed outside of the glenohumeral joint in 2 cases (6%). Perfect-confinement group showed $111^{\circ}$($80{\sim}140^{\circ}$) of forward flexion and $48^{\circ}$($0{\sim}90^{\circ}$) of external rotation before injection, and improved to $134^{\circ}$($90{\sim}150^{\circ}$) of forward flexion and $70^{\circ}$($30{\sim}90^{\circ}$) of external rotation after injection (p<0.01). Partial leakage showed $120^{\circ}$($90{\sim}150^{\circ}$) of forward flexion and $70^{\circ}$($10{\sim}90^{\circ}$) of external rotation before injection, and improved to $139^{\circ}$($135{\sim}140^{\circ}$) of forward flexion and $78^{\circ}$($50{\sim}90^{\circ}$) of external rotation after injection (p<0.01). VAS score improved from 7.1 (score 3~9) to 2.6 (score 0~5) (p<0.01) in perfect confinement group, from 7.5 (score 7~9) to 3.3 (score 2~4) (p<0.01) in partial leakage group. Two group showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Accuracy of Acromioclavicular approach was 94% which is better than any other methods published so far. Partial leakage of the injection material did not show inferior result compared to perfect injection.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2014

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint cyst is an uncommon presentation around the shoulder joint that is usually associated with chronic rotator cuff pathology and degenerative AC joint arthritis. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology of the shoulder joint is essential for appropriate interpretation of the AC joint cyst, assistance in determining the therapeutic strategy, and prevention of complications after treatment. We present a case of AC joint cyst with an aseptic fistula which was complicated by simple excision for recurred AC joint cyst after multiple aspirations. This case revealed a massive rotator cuff tear involving supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis tendon on ultrasonography. We also reviewed the clinical approach and treatment options to be considered for its pathogenesis in the literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to assess the results of arthroscopic subacromial decompression in patients with chronic impingement and to evaluate the results according to the rotator cuff pathology. We evaluated the clinical results of treatment for chronic impingement syndrome in 28 patients from Feb 1996 to Feb 1997. There were twenty men and eight women in age from 24 to 72 years (mean age 51) with dominant arm involvement in sixteen patients. Follow up evaluations averaged 15(range 12-24)months. The average duration of symptoms were 15(range 6­60)months. The final diagnoses which were based on the physical examination, plain radiographs and arthroscopic findings, were stage II impingement in 16 patients and stage ill impingement in 12 patients. We excluded the patients with acromioclavicular arthritis or glenohumeral instability in this study. All patients were managed non-operatively a minimum of six months. During the operation we performed contouring and smoothing the acromial undersurface and only resecting of the anterolateral band of the coracoacromial ligament. The clinical results were quantitated using UCLA shoulder rating score. Satisfactory results were obtained in 23(80%) patients. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in 5(18%) patients with posterior cuff tear. The average UCLA pain score showed significant improvement from 2.8(constant pain) to 7.2(present during heavy activities) at final follow up. The function and active forward flexion scores also increased from their preoperative value. There was no significant differences according to the surface and severity of tear and NeeI' stage (P>0.05). These results compared favorably with those reported following open acromioplasty. While arthroscopic subacromial decompression is a demanding technique with a learning curve, it is a reliable treatment for chronic impingement syndrome. A less aggressive approach to subacromial decompression and preserving the posteromedial band of the coracoacromialligament does not appear to compromise results.