• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.84-91
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report seven cases of metallic radial head prosthesis and present the limit of use in Korea. Materials and Methods: Metallic radial head arthroplasty was performed on 7 patients between April 2006 and December 2006, who had complex elbow injury including comminuted radial head fracture. Indication, operative findings and outcome were assessed. Availability and payment of implant were investigated. Results: All of the patients had more than one associated injury including coronoid fracture, olecranoan fracture, and ligament ruptures. According to Mason classification, there were three type III and four type IV fractures. All radial head fractures were too comminuted to reconstruct. There were two excellent results, four good, and one poor, as graded by Mayo score. There were no patient with instability and implant related complications. Insufficient supply of implant did not enable to do scheduled surgery in 2 cases. Current medical insurance did not cover charge for radial prosthesis, five patients could not help paying for that by themselves. Conclusion: Metallic radial head implants are useful when the radial head cannot be repaired reliably. Preoperative preparing and coverage by medical insurance based on appropriate indication are helpful for decision for a treatment option.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.27-32
• /
• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the validity of positive signs of supraspinatus test. Materials and Methods: The empty can test and full can test were performed on 200 shoulders which were diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging or surgical findings as full thickness tear, partial thickness tear and no tear. Presence of pain, weakness, pain or weakness, and both pain and weakness were recorded as positive signs separately. The two tests with positive signs were compared and analyzed. Results: Pain and weakness were severity-dependent, and the empty-can test had a higher incidence of pain. The sensitivities of the two supraspinatus tests in all positive signs were higher when including partial-thickness tears in the tear group; however, their specificities were higher when excluding partial-thickness tears. The sensitivities of an empty-can test in 'pain', 'pain or weakness', 'both pain and weakness' were higher than those of the full-can test, otherwise, the specificity of the full-can test for 'pain' and 'pain or weakness' were higher. Concordance rate between 'pain or weakness' and 'pain' was the highest in all categorization. Conclusion: Both empty can and full can test were valuable for detecting torn rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2020

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical experience with arthroscopic debridement for septic arthritis of the shoulder joint and to report on our patient outcomes. Methods: The retrospective analysis included 36 shoulders (male:female, 15:21), contributed by 35 patients (mean age, 63.8 years) treated by arthroscopy for septic arthritis of the shoulder between November 2003 and February 2016. The mean follow-up period was 14.3 months (range, 12-33 months). An additional posterolateral portal and a 70° arthroscope was used to access the posteroinferior glenohumeral (GH) joint and posteroinferior subacromial (SA) space, respectively. Irrigation was performed with a large volume of fluid (25.1±8.1 L). Multiple suction drains (average, 3.3 drains) were inserted into the GH joint and SA space and removed 8.9±4.3 days after surgery. Intravenous antibiotics were administered for 3.9±1.8 weeks after surgery, followed by oral antibiotic treatment for another 3.6±1.9 weeks. Results: Among the 36 shoulders, reoperation was required in two cases (5.6%). The average range of motion achieved was 150.0° for forward flexion and T9 for internal rotation. The mean simple shoulder test score was 7.9±3.6 points. Nineteen shoulders (52.8%) had acupuncture or injection history prior to the infection. Pathogens were identified in 15 shoulders, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most commonly identified pathogen (10/15). Both the GH joint and the SA space were involved in 21 shoulders, while 14 cases involved only the GH joint and one case involved only the SA space. Conclusions: Complete debridement using an additional posterolateral portal and 70° arthroscope, a large volume of irrigation with >20 L of saline, and multiple suction drains may reduce the reoperation rate.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.11-19
• /
• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare deltoid origin status following large rotator cuff repair carried out using either an open or an arthroscopic method with a propensity score matching technique. Methods: A retrospective review of 112 patients treated for full-thickness, large rotator cuff tear via either a classic open repair (open group) or an arthroscopic repair (arthroscopic group) was conducted. All patients included in the study had undergone postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical follow-up for at least 12 and 18 months after surgery, respectively. Propensity score matching was used to select controls matched for age, sex, body mass index, and affected site. There were 56 patients in each group, with a mean age of 63.3 years (range, 50-77 years). The postoperative functional and radiologic outcomes for both groups were compared. Radiologic evaluation for postoperative rotator cuff integrity and deltoid origin status was performed with 3-Tesla MRI. Results: The deltoid origin thickness was significantly greater in the arthroscopic group when measured at the anterior acromion (P=0.006), anterior third (P=0.005), and middle third of the lateral border of the acromion level (P=0.005). The deltoid origin thickness at the posterior third of the lateral acromion was not significantly different between the arthroscopic and open groups. The arthroscopic group had significantly higher intact deltoid integrity with less scarring (P=0.04). There were no full-thickness deltoid tears in either the open or arthroscopic group. Conclusions: Open rotator cuff repair resulted in a thinner deltoid origin, especially from the anterior acromion to the middle third of the lateral border of the acromion, at the 1-year postoperative MRI evaluation. Meticulous reattachment of the deltoid origin is as essential as rotator cuff repair when an open approach is selected.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.55-66
• /
• 2003

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluated results of arthroscopic treatment of the traumatic recurrent unidirectional posterior subluxation. Materials and Methods: We treated twenty-seven patients who had traumatic recurrent unidirectional posterior subluxation of the shoulder by arthroscopic labral repair and posterior capsular shift and prospectively evaluated for a mean of thirty-nine months (range,24 to 85 months). Patients who had posteroinferior instability, multidirectional instability, atraumatic onset, or revision cases were excluded. There were twenty-five male and two female patients with the mean age of twenty-one years (range, 14 to 33 years). All patients were involved in sports activity. All had a significant traumatic event prior to the onset of the instability. Stability, motion, three objective measurement (UCLA, ASES, and Rowe scores) and two subjective measurements (pain and function visual analogue scale) were evaluated. Results: The most common finding in magnetic resonance image-arthrogram was separation of the posteroinferior labrum without displacement in 9 patients, In arthroscopic examination, all patients had one or more lesions in the posterior inferior labrum and capsule. The most common finding was incomplete stripping of the posterior inferior labrum (18 patients). The posteroinferior capsule subjectively appeared to be stretched in twenty-two patients. At follow-up, all patients had improved shoulder function and scores(p < 0.01). All patients had stable shoulder by subjectivel and objectivel measurements, except one patient who had recurrent subluxation. All but one patient with postoperative recurrence were able to return to their prior sports activity with little or no limitation. Twenty-four patients were graded as having more than 90％ of shoulder function. Their were twenty-one excellent, five good, and one fair UCLA. scores. Pain sore improved from 4.5 to 0.2 point(p : 0.0001). Mean loss internal rotation was one vertebral level. None had operative complications. Conclusion: In conclusion, treatment outcomes of the traumatic unidirectional recurrent posterior subluxation are consistently reliable with respect to the stability, pain relief, and functional restoration by the arthroscopic posterior capsular shift procedure.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.72-79
• /
• 2003

Purpose: To compare the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression in partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) with those in full thickness rotator cuff tear (FTRCT). Subjects and method: Of the 46 patients who were rested of the rotator cuff tear based on the operational findings, 42 patients who were able to receive a serial follow-up for 2 years were selected as the study subjects. The average age of the patients at the time of the operation was 55 years, and the mean duration of the follow-up was 34 months. The subjects included 22 cases of PTRCT and 20 cases of FTRCT. In terms of rotator cuff repair, the average number of tendon to tendon repair (TTR) was 1 in both PTRCT and FTRCT, and that of tendon to bone repair (TBR) was 1 and 3 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The average number of use of suture anchor was 1 and 2 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The level of shoulder pain and function of the subjects were measured using shoulder functional evaluation score of American shoulder and elbow society (ASES score) at before and 2 years following the operation. Results: At the final follow-up following the operation, PTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.2 to 0.9 on average pain score and 34 to 91 on ASES score, whereas FTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.6 to 1.2 on pain score and 29 to 88 on ASES score. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The average range of motion of shoulder significantly increased in both groups at the final follow-up in comparison with the pre-operative time point. The evaluation at the final follow-up showed that 93% of the total subjects showed good or excellent results, and 95％ showed satisfactory results from the procedure with regard to pain reduction and functional outcomes. Two cases of the 3 fair results were caused by acromioclavicular arthritis. Conclusion: It may be anticipated that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression may bring satisfactory post-operative outcomes in both PTRCT and FTRCT on pain relief and functional recovery. However, careful preoperative examination of the acromioclavicular joint is critical to avoid failures of these procedures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.143-148
• /
• 2003

Objectives: To analyze the postoperative functional outcome of shoulder in patients with arthroscopically assisted repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears with or without acromioplasty and role of acromioplasty. Materials and Methods: From June 1996 to June 2002, twenty six patients with large to massive rotator cuff tears were undergone arthroscopically assisted repair. Mean follow up was over one year. Fourteen were male and twelve were female. Mean age was 51 years old(39-66). Mean duration was 9 months. Acromioplasty was done in 14 cases concomitantly. They were divided into two groups. Group I: arthroscopic cuff repair with acromioplasty(14 cases). Group II: arthroscopic cuff repair without acromioplasty(12 cases). Each shoulder was evaluated at preoperative and final follow-up with Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of pain, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of function, ASES standardized shoulder assessment form, Simple Shoulder Test, UCLA score and range of motion(ROM). We analyzed the differences between the two groups. Shoulder ROM and acromioplasty were determining factors. Statistics was tested by correlation analysis and repeated measure ANOVA test. Results: At the final follow up, functional outcome and pain were improved but they had no statistical significance between the two groups(p>0.05). Combined procedure, acromioplasty, didn't affect on VAS. UCLA score, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of pain, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of function, ASf:S standardized shoulder assessment form and Simple Shoulder Test(p>0.05). In group II, forward flexion and abduction were statistically improved at the final follow up than in group I(p<0.05). Conclusions: It appears that arthroscopic repair is satisfactory procedure in patients with large to massive cuff tears. Combined procedure, acromioplasty, doesn't affect on postoperative functional outcome of shoulder.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2015

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with primary frozen shoulder in a Korean population. Methods: A total of 1,373 patients whose shoulders were diagnosed with primary frozen shoulder across 11 resident-training hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. Various demographic characteristics and clinical characteristics according to gender and presence of diabetes were evaluated. Results: The average age of patients was 55.4 years. Gender proportion was 58.3% females and 41.7% males. The frozen shoulder involved the non-dominant arm in 60.7% of patients and the bilateral arms in 17.6% of patients. The average duration of symptoms was 8.9 months, and 51.3% of patients had experienced nocturnal pain. Comorbidities associated with frozen shoulder in our sample of patients included diabetes (18.7%), cardiovascular diseases (17.7%), thyroid diseases (5.4%), and cerebrovascular diseases (3.6%). The diabetic group was correlated with the following demographic and clinical characteristics: old age, involvement of the dominant arm, nocturnal pain, long duration of symptoms, and no history of trauma. Further, we found that, in males, having a frozen shoulder was significantly correlated with a history of trauma; in females, having a frozen shoulder was significantly correlated with having thyroid diseases. Conclusions: These demographic data of primary frozen shoulder in the Korean population were consistent with those of previously reported epidemiologic studies. Primary frozen shoulder with diabetes was correlated with old age, bilateral involvement, long duration of symptoms, and nocturnal pain.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.120-127
• /
• 2015

Background: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. Methods: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. Results: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at $90^{\circ}$ abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). Conclusions: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.32-36
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiologic and clinical outcomes after intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft with plate fixation for the nonunion of midshaft clavicular fractures. Material and Methods: Between September 2007 and May 2011, 10 patients who were treated by the intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft, with plate fixation for clavicle nonunion, were studied. The mean follow-up period was 30.7 (12~57) months. After the sclerotic bone was excised to the bleeding cortical bone, we interposed the tricortical iliac bone to provide structural support and restore clavicle length, and then fixed the plate and screws. The radiologic outcomes on the serial plain radiographs and clinical outcomes, according to UCLA, ASES and Quick DASH scores, were analyzed. Results: Bony union was obtained in all cases (100%) and the average union time was 18.4 (14~24) weeks. The average respective UCLA and ASES scores improved from 16.7 and 52.1 preoperatively to 27.4 and 83.6 postoperatively (p<0.05). The average Quick DASH score was 40.5, at the final follow-up. Complications were 2 shoulder stiffness, and one case had removal of device and arthroscopic surgery at 11 months, postoperatively. There were no implant failure or infection. Conclusion: Intercalary tricortical iliac bone graft, with plate fixation for the nonunion of midshaft clavicular fractures, is a good option that can provide structural support and restore clavicle length, as well as high union rate.