• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.427-433
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• 2012

This study aimed at identifying changes in the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and arm when the caudal gliding gradeII and III of Kaltenborn-Evjenth Concept$^{(R)}$ are applied to the right glenohumeral joint. The humeral head moved down about 5mm from the initial position when the gliding gradeII was applied, and about 8mm from the initial position when the gliding gradeIII was applied. Although men showed a higher acromiohumeral distance per grade than women in comparisons by gender for the acromiohumeral distance, there was no significant difference in statistics. The Abduction angle improved about $10^{\circ}$ from the initial angle when the gliding gradeII was applied, and about $12^{\circ}$ from the initial angle when the gliding gradeIII was applied. Although women showed the abduction angle greater than men for every grade in comparisons by gender for the abduction angle, there was no significant difference in statistics. Based on the aforesaid findings, the extent of kinematic changes in the humeral head could be identified when the gliding grades were applied. Accordingly, it is considered that more scientific evidence based treatments could be expected if influences on the surrounding structures by these changes could be learned through more studies in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.8-15
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• 2012

Posterior shoulder muscle tightness is frequently observed in shoulder impingement syndrome because tightness in the posterior portion of the shoulder muscles can cause anterior and superior translation of the humeral head in relation to the glenoid fossa. The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of soft tissue massage on acromiohumeral distance (AHD), anterior translation of the humeral head, and glenohumeral (GH) range of motion (ROM) in subjects with posterior shoulder muscle tightness. Twenty-seven subjects with greater than $10^{\circ}$ difference in the range of GH horizontal adduction between right and left sides were recruited. The range of GH horizontal adduction and internal rotation were measured by a digital inclinometer. The AHD and anterior translation of the humeral head were measured using ultrasonography. A paired t-test was used to compare AHD, anterior translation of the humeral head, and the range of GH horizontal adduction and internal rotation before and after soft tissue massage. The results showed that AHD increased significantly (p<.05) and the anterior translation of humeral head decreased slightly, but not significantly (p=.40) after the soft tissue massage. Furthermore, the ROM of horizontal adduction and internal rotation in the GH joint increased significantly after the soft tissue massage (p<.05). These findings indicate that soft tissue massage on posterior shoulder muscle tightness is an effective method to increase AHD and ROM in the horizontal adduction and internal rotation of the GH joint.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.228-240
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the T2 value of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff disease displayed on 3.0T MRI and to apply it in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This study involved sixty-two patients who underwent shoulder MRI containing T2 mapping. The mean T2 value was measured by placing a free hand ROI over the glenoid or humeral cartilage from the bone-cartilage interface to the articular surface on three consecutive, oblique coronal images. The drawn ROI was subsequently divided into superior and inferior segments. The assessed mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint were compared and evaluated based on the degree of rotator cuff tear, the degree of fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff, and the acromiohumeral distance. Results: ICC values between two readers indicated moderate or good reproducibility. The mean T2 value for the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head cartilage failed to show any significant difference based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, the mean T2 values of articular cartilage, based on fatty atrophy, tended to be higher in fatty atrophy 3 or fatty atrophy 4 groups while some subregions displayed significantly higher mean T2 values. There was no correlation between the acromiohumeral distance and the mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head. Conclusion: T2 mapping of the glenohumeral joint failed to show any significant difference in quantitative analysis of the degenerative change of the articular cartilage based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, it also offers quantitative information on the degenerative change of cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in patients with rotator cuff tear and severe fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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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.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was to verify the effectiveness of eccentric training and to make clinical recommendations on detailed application methods by comparing the effects of changes in acromiohumeral distance (AHD), pain intensity, muscle strength, and functional performance after applying a 12-week eccentric training program (ET group) or concentric training program (CT group) for patients with partial rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tears with moderate to severe shoulder pain. Methods : A total of 29 subjects were assigned to either the "ET group (n=15)" or the "CT group (n=14)" through simple randomization and were measured in the same way at baseline before intervention, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after intervention. All subjects received a physical therapy program 12 sessions 3 times a week for the first 4 weeks, and physical therapy program, 12 sessions a week, from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, for a total 20 sessions. Ultrasound machine was used for AHD, visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity, electronic hand held dynamometer was used for muscle strength, Korean Constant shoulder score (K-CSS) used for functional performance. Results : AHD, pain intensity, and muscle strength did not show significant differences at 4 weeks, but improved numerically, and showed significant differences at 12 weeks (p<.05), showing superior results in the eccentric training group compared to the concentric training group. Functional performance showed significant changes at both 4 and 12 weeks (p<.05), and excellent results were also found in the eccentric training group. Conclusion : In patients with partial rotator cuff tears with moderate to severe shoulder pain, an eccentric training program increased acromiohumeral distance (AHD), reduced pain, and increased muscle strength. Therefore, it can be clinically presented as an intervention method that can quickly and effectively improve functional performance, which is the ultimate goal of physical therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.397-406
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• 2011

Purpose : Recently ultrasound images has been used to measure the subacromial space with a linear measurement of the acromiohumeral distance. The purpose of this study was to comparison of distance of subacromial space using ultrasonographic measurement on arm positions of shoulder injured patients. Methods : The subjects were 30 shoulder injured patients (19 males and 11 females). Ultrasonography was performed to measure subacromial space during each shoulder resting position, $45^{\circ}$ abduction, internal rotation with $45^{\circ}$ abduction and external rotation with $45^{\circ}$ abduction. Results : Subacromial space was a significantly difference between injured arm and normal arm at shoulder resting position. At $45^{\circ}$ abduction, subacromial space was narrowing significantly between injured arm and normal arm. At external rotation with $45^{\circ}$ abduction, subacromial space were wider in normal arm than in injured arm but it was not significantly. Intra-observer reliability for ultrasonography measurement of subacromial distance was excellent (.96~.99). Conclusion : These results identified that positions of injured shoulder was related to subacromion space.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.125-129
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• 2016

Background: Superior migration of humeral head has been conventionally determined by measuring the acromiohumeral distance (AHD), We sought to devise a novel measurement system more reliably and accurately than AHD. We described a structural landmark called 'C-line'. In this study, we investigated the clinical usefulness of 'step-off of the C-line (SOC)' compared to that of AHD. Methods: The C-line formed from the medial margin of the proximal humeral head continuing up to the inferior margin of the articular glenoid and then to the lateral border of the scapula. The superior migration of the humeral head triggered by a rotator cuff tear introduces a discontinuity in this C-line. We measured the distance of this discontinuity. We enrolled 144 patients who underwent a rotator cuff repair. We selected 58 controls who didn't have any cuff lesions apparent on magnetic resonance imaging. Using radiographs derived from standardized true anteroposterior views of the shoulder, we measured the SOC and the AHD. We used t-tests for statistical analyses. Results: A rotator cuff tear was associated with an increase in SOC and a decrease in AHD. In control group, the mean SOC was $1.29{\pm}1.71mm$ and AHD was $9.71{\pm}2.65mm$. In cuff tear group, the mean SOC was $3.15{\pm}3.41mm$ and AHD was $8.28{\pm}1.76mm$. The mean SOCs of the patient group in relation to the mean SOC of the control group according to tear size, the SOCs of medium tear and lager groups showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusions: The SOC may be a similarly effective to diagnose cuff tears of medium size and larger compared with AHD.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.146-152
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this article was to review the effectiveness of arthroscopic debridement and tuberoplasty, and to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of our series for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears in the elderly. Materials and Methods: We reviewed articles that focused on the treatment options and decision making for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears. In particular, we summarized the reported results of arthroscopic debridement and tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears in the elderly. Among consecutive patients who had arthroscopic tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears in our series, thirty-two patients available for clinical and radiological evaluation at a mean follow-up of 29 months (range, 13-52 months) were enrolled and reviewed for the analysis. Results: At the last follow-up, the range of active forward flexion increased significantly with excellent pain relief and improvement in the ability to perform the activities of daily living. However, the group with less than 2 mm in preoperative acromiohumeral distance showed inferior postoperative results. Conclusion: Arthroscopic tuberoplasty may be an alternative option in irreparable massive rotator cuff tears for pain relief and improvement of range of motion. However, good results can not be expected if the acromiohumeral distance is less than 2 mm preoperatively and decreases postoperatively, or when the preoperative range of motion is less than $90^{\circ}$ on flexion and abduction.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2007

Purpose: The current study assessed the factors affecting outcomes of primary repair procedures in tears of multiple rotator cuff tendons. Materials and Methods: Among the cases of rotator cuff tears involving two or more tendons receiving operations between 1997 and 2003, The clinical results of 19 cases with more than 2 years follow-up were evaluated by the UCLA score. We evaluated the correlation of trauma, active motion, acromiohumeral distance, tear size, and surface area with the UCLA score using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (PLCC). Results: UCLA scores increased significantly in all cases, from 9 to 26.1 on average. However, the results were good in 53%, and poor in 47% according to Ellman's criteria. Trauma, active elevation, acromiohumeral distance, and tear size did not correlate with the UCLA score, but the tear surface area was inversely correlated with the score (PLCC=-0.696). Cases with degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle above Goutallier grade III on MRI showed worse results than cases with less degeneration. Conclusion: The clinical results of primary repair of rotator cuff tears involving multiple tendons were satisfactory in 53% of patients. Large tear surface area and severe degeneration of the infraspinatus were poor prognostic factors.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 2022

Background: Healing of the tendon itself is not always related to successful clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair. It was hypothesized that certain radiologic factors affecting clinical outcomes could exist in case of the retear after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and the radiologic factors could help predict clinical process. The purpose of this study was to identify the radiologic factors associated with clinical outcomes of the retear after ARCR. Methods: Between January 2012 and December 2019, among patients with sufficient footprint coverage for ARCR, 96 patients with Sugaya classification 4 or higher retear on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging were included. The association between clinical outcomes such as American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant score and range of motion and radiologic variables such as initial tear dimension, retear dimension, variance of tear dimension, critical shoulder angle, acromial index, and acromiohumeral distance was analyzed. Results: Preoperatively, the ASES and Constant scores were 59.81±17.02 and 64.30±15.27, respectively. And at the last follow-up, they improved to 81.56±16.29 and 78.62±14.16, respectively (p<0.01 and p<0.01). In multiple linear regression analysis, the variance of the mediolateral dimension of tear had statistically significant association with the ASES and Constant scores (p<0.01 and p=0.01). Conclusions: In patients with the retear after ARCR, the variance in the mediolateral dimension of tear had significantly negative association with the clinical outcomes. This could be considered to be reference as relative criteria and needed more sample and mechanical study.