• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.140-145
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• 2011

Purpose: Installing a radial head prosthesis has developed into a reliable procedure to replace the native radial head for treating unreconstructible radial head fracture when this is associated with an unstable elbow or forearm. A variety of implants have been developed and these are now commercially available. This article reviews the literature related to the indications, the available implants and the surgical techniques of radial head replacement arthroplasty. Materials and Methods: The main indication for a metallic radial head prosthesis is a comminuted fracture that is not amenable to reconstruction, and particularly if it is associated with complex elbow injuries. Excision of the radial head should be avoided in the presence of combined injured ligaments or interosseous membrane injury. Three different implants are available in Korea, including the bipolar, press fit monopolar and loose fit monopolar radial head prostheses. A primary technical goal of radial head arthroplasty is the insertion of an implant that closely replicates the native radial head. The major pitfall when using a metallic radial head prosthesis is the insertion of a longer implant, which results in overstuffing of the radiocapitellar joint. Results and Conclusion: Satisfactory clinical results can be anticipated when a radial head prosthesis is used for the correct indications and when a systemic approach is undertaken to ensure proper sizing. For the future studies, we need data regarding the long term outcomes and comparison of the various types of prostheses.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated radiographic changes and clinical manifestations of the elbow joint to identify the effects of the throwing between dominant and non-dominant arms. Materials and Methods : A hundred and five little leaguer’s baseball player in 5 elementary school and 2 middle school were evaluated for clinical symptoms and radiographic changes about elbow joint. Mean age was 12 years old and average periods of exercise were 32 months. Elbow functions were evaluated using ASES standardized assessment form and radiographic changes of medial epicondyle were examinated for enlargement, separation of the apophyses, fragmentation and irregularity. Results : Thirty seven players (35$\%$) were complained pain with throwing and the average score was 4.8 using visual analog scale. There were no significant differences in range of motion except flexion angle, valgus angle, and strength between dominant arm and non-dominant arm. Valgus laxity was more prominent in dominant arm. Ulnohumeral tenderness, radiocapitellar tenderness and medial flexor origin tenderness were in 18, 6, and 17 cases respectively in dominant arm. Medial epicondyle was enlarged in dominant arm with 13.0 by 6.3 mm compared to non-dominant arm with 11.7 by 6.1 mm. Apophyseal separation was 0.8 mm in dominant arm and 0.5 mm in non-dominant arm. Fragmentation and irregularity were 14 (13$\%$) and 25 (24$\%$) cases respectively in dominant arm. Conclusion : In little league baseball player, it needs usage of ball and bat with appropriate weight, and careful conditioning programs through throwing exercise in order to avoid elbow injuries.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate clinical features and surgical results for rotator cuff tear secondary to shoulder dislocation in middle-aged and elderly patients. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 19 patients over 50 years of age who had rotator cuff tears combined with shoulder dislocation between October 2004 and October 2008. There were 7 males and 12 females with a mean age 64.7 years (range, 50 to 78 years). The average follow-up duration was 22 months (range, 8 to 56 months). We investigated the number of dislocations, the size of the cuff tear, the presence of Bankart lesions and the time interval from dislocation to surgery. We also investigated the ASES score, UCLA score, SST score, and shoulder range of motion before and after surgery. We analyzed clinical outcomes and contributing factors. Results: ASES scores improved from 30.2 preoperatively to 72.3 postoperatively; UCLA scores improved from 12.9 to 26.5; SST scores improved from 2.4 to 7.3. Range of motion improved significantly: forward flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation were, respectively, $110.8({\pm}39.3)^{\circ}$, $107.7({\pm}40)^{\circ}$, $22.5({\pm}17.6)^{\circ}$ and L5 level preoperatively; postoperatively they were $153.6({\pm}20.6)^{\circ}$, $152.1({\pm}20.8)^{\circ}$, $36.4({\pm}22.7)^{\circ}$ and L1 level. Age, the presence of Bankart lesions and the number of dislocations were not correlated with clinical outcomes. But the size of the cuff tear was correlated with clinical results. Also, the duration from dislocation to surgery was correlated with postoperative UCLA and SST scores (p=0.039, p=0.038). Conclusion: For shoulder dislocation, it is important to achieve early diagnoses of rotator cuff tears in middle-aged and elderly patients. If these injuries are both present, early rotator cuff repair should be performed for better clinical results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.109-117
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• 1998

We evaluated the results of the surgery for impingement syndromes and partial thickness tears of the rotator cuff with an average follow-up period of 15 months. One group(group I) of 43 patients, 46 cases underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression. The other comparable group(group Ⅱ) of 10 patients, II cases underwent open acromioplasty. The average age at operation was 48 years, old. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression achieved slightly better pain relief, the range of the acti ve forward flexion, function, strength and the overall score with improvement from the preoperative condition than open acromioplasty. The patient's satisfaction was better in group I as well. Using the UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale, 89% of group I and 82% of group n had good or excellent results. Preservation of the origin of the deltoid during an arthroscopic acromioplasty reduced the postoperative morbidity and made it possible to start rehabilitation sooner and to achieve the better and more predictable results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 1999

Purpose: Despite of the popular use of the reconstruction plate for the fixation of clavicular shaft fractures, some disadventages have been raised such as long period of immobilization, long skin incision, loosening of plate and screws, and increased chance of nonunion due to severe periosteal injury. Thus, the authors have performed intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation that could reduce the disadvantages of plate fixation in order to compare the treatment results between the two groups. Materials & Methods: From 1994. Jan. to 1997. Dec. the department of orthopaedic surgery of the Kwak's hospital treated operatively for 56 cases of the clavicular shaft fractures in adult. 39 cases of them were treated with the plate fixation and 17 cases with the intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation(SP group). Reconstruction plates(Plate group) were used for 26 out of 39 patients treated with plate fixation. Among the Plate group and SP group, each 15 cases were selected by age and sex and compared each other according to the bone union time, union rate, complication, and functional results. The follow-up period was 12 months at the shortest and 48 months at the longest and the average was 16 months. Results: The Plate group showed that the bone union time was 7 weeks and the bone union rate was 93%. The SP group showed 6.5 weeks and 100% respectively. In complication, the Plate group had 1 case of loosening of plate and screws and delayed union; SP group had 1 case of pin migration. The functional results according to Kang's criteria, 87% of the Plate group and 93% of the SP group showed good or excellent. Conclusion : The SP group showed very comparable results in terms of the bone union time, bone union rate, complication, and functional results comparing to the Plate group. The intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation showed several advantages over the reconstruction plate fixation, which were simple operative technique, easy removal of pins, being able to perform immediate postoperative full range of motion exercise. Therefore, the intramedullary multiple Steinmann pins fixation is thought to be one of the useful operative techniques in treatment of the clavicular shaft fractures in adult.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 1999

Purpose: We studied magnetic resonance imaging of acromion morphology and superior displacement of the humeral head in the patients with diagnosis of rotator cuff impingement syndrome, and also documented the relationship of type Ⅲ acromion to the rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: We reviewed retrospectively 40 patients(40 shoulders) who had arthroscopic treatment for the diagnosis of stage II impingement or rotator cuff partial tear and did not have other risk lesions except acromion factor. The mean age was 48.7 years at operation. 21 men(2l shoulders), mean age of 26 years, were used as controls. Acromial type, tilt, and superior displacement of humeral head in sagittal plane, and acromial lateral angulation in coronal plane were measured. Four parameters of the patients were compared with those of control group. And then, the data were subdivided and analyzed with respect to acromial type and patient age in the impingement group. Student t test and multi-way ANOVA were used. Results: In impingement group, Farley's type I acromion, 33%, type Ⅱ, 38%, type Ⅲ, 27% and type Ⅳ, 2%. Superior displacement of humeral head( 4.8mm) were characteristic in the impingement group compared with the control group(1.3mm)(p<0.05). But acromial tilt and lateral angulation were not statistically different. In the analysis of the impingement group, the change of 4 parameters was not significant with respect to age(p>0.05), but lateral angulation in type I acromion(18 degree) and superior displacement of humeral head in type Ⅲ acromion(6.3mm) were significantly increased(p<0.05). All 4 parameters were not different between two subdivided types of type Ⅲ acromion. Conclusion: All types of acromian and large lateral angulatian cauld develop impingement syndrame, but acromial tilt was nat risk factar. Appearance of type Ⅲ acromian and increased superiar displacement of humeral head were characteristic findings in the impingement syndrame. Superiar displacement of humeral head as a result of degenerative change of rotatar cuff was probably primary cause far impingement. The type Ⅲ acromian might be an acquired farm, which cauld be expected to accelerate the tear of rotatar cuff as a cansequence.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2008

Purpose: This study investigated the rate of retear and related factors after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears involving more than one tendon. Materials & Methods: Arthroscopic repair of 22 rotator cuff tears (average size 3.2cm: average age 58 years old) involving the supraspinatus and part or all of the infraspinatus were investigated using MRI on average 10 months after repair. The status of the repaired cuff was investigated using Sugaya's classification, and the change in muscle was evaluated with Goutallier's classification. Results: Retear (Sugaya grade IV, V) was found in 7cases(32%). Tears larger than 3cm had a higher retear rate(67%) than smaller tears(8%). Retear cases had Goutallier grade II or higher muscle changes preoperatively and showed aggravation of muscle atrophy postoperatively. Even without retear, reversal of muscle change was not seen Conclusion: Rotator cuff tears not confined to the supraspinatus had a 32% retear rate after arthroscopic repair. The size of the tear was the most crucial factor influencing retear. Retear was frequent in tear over 3cm. Atrophy of the cuff muscle worsened when the repair failed but did not improve even without retear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2008

Purpose: We compared the results of arthroscopic Bankart repair using metal and biodegradable anchor fixation. Materials & Methods: We reviewed 26 patients with anterior shoulder instability treated by arthroscopic Bankart repair from October, 2006, to March, 2007, 15 patients with metal anchors and 11 patients with biodegradable anchors. The average age was 27.4 years old (range: 17~55) and mean follow-up was 14 months (range: 12~17 months). Functional outcome was evaluated using the Korean Shoulder Score for Instability (KSSI), Rowe's Bankart Grading scale (RBGS), ASES score, and UCLA scores. Results: In the metal-anchor group, the improvements of mean KSSI, ASES, UCLA score, and RBGS were 20.6, 24.0, 4.0, and 45.5, respectively. In the biodegradable anchor group, improvements of mean KSSI, ASES, UCLA score, and RBGS were 21.0, 23.6, 4.6, and 48.9. The improvements in final outcomes were not significantly different (p>.05). One metal problem and one traumatic redislocation occurred in the metal group. Conclusion: Both techniques produced satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of traumatic anterior instability. The biodegradable anchor group could also avoid problems with metal anchors.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 2008

Purpose: The proper surgical methods for treating acromioclavicular joint dislocation is still controversial. New methods should provide better early motion with sufficient strength. Materials and Methods: We performed arthroscopic stabilization using TightRope$^{(R)}$ (Arthrex, Inc, Naples, FL) in 10 cases of acromioclavicular joint dislocation between April, 2007, and December, 2007, and followup for a minimum of 10 months. We performed radiologic evaluation by comparing the clavicle anteroposterior radiograph with the contralateral one. Clinical evaluation was made for pain, function, and range of joint motion by Imatani's methods. Results: In clinical evaluation, 6 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and 1 case was poor. In radiologic evaluation, 9 cases were excellent and 1 case was poor. Redislocation occurred in 1 case. Conclusion: During short-term followup, 9 of 10 patients who underwent arthroscopic stabilization using TightRope$^{(R)}$ had excellent results in Imatini tests and radiologic evaluation, except 1 patient with redislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2012

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of internal fixation using a precontoured locking compression plate for the treatment of the displaced clavicle fracture by analyzing both radiological and clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 34 cases of displaced clavicle shaft fracture treated by internal fixation using precontoured locking compression plates between May 2009 and February 2010. Radiological outcomes were analized on the basis of bone union and the differences between the time for bone union depending on sex and age. Clinical outcomes were analyzed on the basis of quick DASH Scores and the differences in the range of motion of the affected shoulder compared to the contralateral shoulder. Results: In the radiological evaluation, all fractures showed bone union, and the average time for bone union was 12.3 weeks, without delayed unions. Time for bone union did not differ significantly with respect to sex and age (p=0.87). In the clinical evaluation, the average final quick DASH Score was 23.5 (range, 12~42). At final follow up, the range of motion after bone union in the affected shoulder was not significantly different from that of the contralateral shoulder (p=0.69). Conclusion: The internal fixation achieved using precontoured locking compression plate in displaced clavicle shaft fracture showed effective bone union and can be considered as a reliable method with fine clinical results showing early range of motion at the shoulder joint.