• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefullness of polarus nailing in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures including 2 part, 3 part and proximal comminuted fractures. Materials and methods: Fifteen cases of proximal humerus fracture treated with Polarus nailing from March, 2002 to March, 2004 were selected. Man was 3 cases, and woman was 11 cases. There were one case of follow up loss due to decease. Average age was 60 years old (range, 23 to 84), and there were 6 cases of 2 part fracture, 3 cases of proximal segmental fracture, 5 cases of 3 part fracture. We analyzed the outcom results between 2 part fracture and 3 part fracture. The average follow up period after the operation was 1.5(range, 1 to 2) years. Range of motion (ROM), pain and functional outcome were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS) and american shoulder and elbow surgery (ASES) activity of daily living (ADL) functional scoring system. Results: All cases showed union on radiologic evaluation, with 2.3 months follow up. In 5 cases of 3 part fracture, average union time was 1.9 months regardless of proximal screw loosening in 4 cases. In 2 part fracture union time was 2.2 months (P>0.05). VAS pain score was 1.3, ROM was $160^{\circ}$ in forward flexion, $40^{\circ}$ in external rotation, L3 level in internal rotation, and ASES, ADL functional score was 21 in 2 part fracture. VAS pain score was 1.25, ROM was $160^{\circ}$, $43^{\circ}$ and L1 level, and ASES, ADL functional score was 21 in 3 part fracture. There were no statistically significant difference between two groups (P>0.05) VAS pain score was 1.6, ROM was $170^{\circ}$, $47^{\circ}$ and L3 level, and ASES, ADL functional score was 23 in proximal comminuted fracture. Conclusion: Polarus nailing could be used as an effective modality in certain cases of proximal humeral fracture including 2 part, proximal segmental and in cases of 3 part fractures with large greater tuberosity fragment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the results and complications of antegrade intramedullary interlocking nailing in humerus shaft fractures. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the clinical outcomes, radiologic results and complications in 47 patients with humerus shaft fracture treated with antegrade intramedullary interlocking nailing, and followed up until bony union. Bony union was confirmed by serial plain radiographs and the clinical outcomes were assessed according to the ASES scoring system. Results: Bony union was confirmed in 41 (87.2%) out of a total 47 patients, and the mean union period was 14.5 weeks. Major complications were as follows: 6 non-union, 3 delayed union, 2 intraoperative posterior cortex fracture in the distal humerus and 2 permanent shoulder pain, including 1 case of adhesive capsulitis. The clinical outcomes were as follows: 29 excellent, 11 good, 4 fair and 3 poor. Satisfactory outcomes were demonstrated in 40 patients (85.1%). Conclusion: Anterograde intramedullary interlocking nailing as treatment for humerus shaft fracture showed satisfactory bony union and clinical outcomes. It is considered an efficacious treatment, especially in patients with associated injury, such as multiple fractures and segmental fracture.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2006

Purpose: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears are many techniques that have been developed to improve the initial postoperative strength of the repair. There was a doubt that current arthroscopic cuff repairs using a single row of suture anchors reproduce insufficient area of the anatomic cuff insertion, and concerns about failure of fixation often lead surgeons to limit early motion. Newer technique of double-row repair in arthroscopic treatment may provide initial stronger fixation and more contact with bone at the repair site than single-row repair did. We studied the comparison between clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single- and double-row repair in cuff tears at 1year postoperatively. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 shoulders with single-row repair and 38 shoulders with double-row repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and October 2004. Out of total 78 shoulders, 42 (54%) were male patients and 36 (46%) were female patients and the mean age at surgery was 56 years. All patients were diagnosed by physical examination and MRI. At 1year' follow-up after operation, we evaluated with the ASES and the Constant scoring system, and measured muscle power of abduction, internal and external rotation of the affected shoulder then compared with each other. Results: Mean ASES scores and Constant scores in double-row repair group improved more than single-row repair group significantly at 1year postoperatively. Muscle power of abduction and internal rotation, especially abduction power, improved more significantly in double-row repair group than in single-row repair. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair for the full thickness rotator cuff tear may be a superior technique, which showed better clinical outcomes and restoration of muscle power compared with single-row repair at relatively short period of postoperative follow-up. Restoration of footprint close to normal anatomy by double-row repair seems to play an important role in the recovery of muscle strength.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation treatment with coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ (Arthrex). Materials and Methods: From October 2009 to March 2011, 30 patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation underwent coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ and were followed up for at least 12 months after surgery. The radiologic results were qualified according to serial plain radiographs, and the clinical results according to University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) Shoulder Scale, Constant score, and VAS pain score. Results: Using the UCLA scoring system, excellent results were observed in 22 cases (73%), good results in five cases (17%), fair results in two cases (7%), and a poor result in one case (3%). The average Constant score was $92.5{\pm}7.5$. According to radiologic results, anatomical reduction was achieved in 26 cases, and two cases showed a moderate loss of reduction, and two cases showed complete re-dislocation. Clinical results for patients with re-dislocation were unsatisfactory and reoperation was required. Conclusion: Coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using Tight-Rope$^{(R)}$ is a good option providing reliable functional results in patients with acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2009

Purpose: With the better understanding of cuff function, partial repair or "force couple repair" for treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tear has gained some popularity. However, there were few reports on the results of partial repair. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears who received arthroscopic force-couple repair or partial repair. Materials and Methods: From June 2005 to Feb 2008, arthroscopic partial repairs were performed for 16 irreparable rotator cuff tears among the 101 large to massive rotator cuff tears that were operated on. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were done at the final follow-up. Results: There were 7 men and 9 women with a mean age of 66.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 27.3 month (range: 15-46). The pain VAS improved from 4.4 ($\pm2.50$) to 2.1 ($\pm2.26$) and the functional VAS improved from 46.9 ($\pm16.64$) to 70.0 ($\pm22.80$). The ASES score improved from 39.0 ($\pm10.80$) to 80.3 ($\pm16.78$) and the KSS score was 81.9 ($\pm16.74$) at the final follow-up. The acromio-humeral distance was 6.6 cm ($\pm1.74$) preoperatively and 6.2 cm ($\pm1.69$) postoperatively without significant change (p=0.3874). The degenerative changes had no statistically progressed (p=0.2663). Conclusion: Partial repair for massive rotator cuff injury patients showed improvement in the clinical score without progression of arthritic change at a mean of 2.3 years follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the clinical outcome and the cuff integrity following open repair in large and massive rotator cuff tears using ultrasonography as an imaging modality. Material and Methods: From November 2001 to April 2005, 17 cases(16 patients) who had open repair of tear measuring more than 3cm were assessed with minimal follow-up of 12 months in this study. 6 cases had a large tear and 11 cases a massive tear. There were 6 men and 11 women with a mean age of 52 years at surgery (range, 33 to 72 years). The evaluation consisted of the preoperative and postoperative shoulder scores according to UCLA shoulder scoring system and Visual analogue scale (VAS). Ultrasonography was performed by a experienced musculoskeletal physician at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively to evaluate the postoperative cuff integrity. Results: Retear were detected in four of seventeen cases. Regardless of the presence of recurrent tear, 14 cases had UCLA score of more than 29 points (good grade). All 17 had an improvement in the functional score, which increased from an average of 15.1 to 31.2 points. All cases showed pain relief and five cases had no pain. Sixteen cases except one had the range of motion of forward elevation above $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: Open rotator cuff repair in large and massive tears showed low retear rate. At a minimum of twelve months follow-up, all cases had improvement on UCLA score, pain relief, increased range of motion of the shoulder regardless of retear. And the correlation between recurrent tear and function score was not statistically significant.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-45
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• 2008

Purpose: To review the clinical and radiological results after an open reduction and internal fixation with a T-shaped LCP for unstable distal clavicle fractures. Materials and Methods: From February 2005 to June 2006, ten patients with distal clavicle Neer type II fractures were treated with an open reduction and internal fixation with a T-shaped LCP. Bony union was identified by plain radiography. The clinical results were analyzed according to the UCLA scoring system. Results: The mean time to fracture union was 9weeks and union was achieved in all cases. The mean UCLA score was 33.4 (30-35); excellent in 8 cases and good in 2 cases. In one case, loosening of one distal screw was occured and mild AC joint subluxation was observed in another case. Conclusion: 3.5 mm T-shaped LCP fixation is a useful technique for treating unstable distal clavicle fractures. This procedure provide stable fixation with no further AC joint injury.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2010

Purpose: We evaluated clinical and radiological results for open reduction and internal fixation of acromioclavicular dislocation without coracoclavicular ligament repair after removal of implants. Materials and methods: Clinical and radiological results were obtained for 53 patients who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of an acromioclavicular joint dislocation between 1998 and 2007. A total of 21 patients were treated with a modified-Phemister method and 32 patients were treated with a Hook plate method. All subjects were surveyed after removal of their implants. The Constant scoring system was administered postoperatively to evaluate clinical results. Radiologic outcomes were evaluated by both coracoclavicular intervals on plain films. Results: Constant scores were $87.59{\pm}7.8$ in the Phemister group and $89.35{\pm}5.3$ in the Hook plate group. For both groups, the mean coracoclavicular interval at preoperative radiography was 15.9 mm at the injured site and 8.0 mm at the opposite site. After metal removal, the mean difference between coracoclavicular distances between normal and injured sites were 1.0 mm for the Hook plate group and 1.2 mm for the modified Phemister method group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation of an acromioclavicular joint without coracoclavicular ligament repair shows good long-term clinical and radiological results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.223-229
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the radiographic and clinical findings of massive rotator cuff tears. Materials and Methods: Forty-five diagnosed cases (35 patients) of massive rotator cuff tears were investigated in this study. Grade of arthritis in the massive rotator cuff tears was classified based on plain radiographs using the method of Hamada et al.. And we clinically evaluated cases using the UCLA scoring system. Results: No statistically significant correlation ($r_s$=0.220, p=0.151) was found between arthritis grades in massive rotator cuff tears and clinical features. Dominant arm involvement appeared to be related to a higher rate of surgical treatment and a lower UCLA score. Conclusion: In massive rotator cuff tear patients, radiographic findings of arthritis may not always correspond to clinical features relevant in daily life. Therefore, we suggest that treatment strategies should be carefully considered when considering treatment modalities.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the results of treating acromioclavicular joint dislocation using an AO hook plate. Materials and Methods: Between February 2008 and September 2009, 10 patients underwent implant removal after surgical treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation using a AO hook plate. The Constant-Murley scoring system was administered postoperatively for evaluating the clinical results, and simple X-ray was taken for evaluating the state of reduction. Results: All cases showed satisfactory results on the clinical and radiological study. The mean Constant-Murley score at follow-up was 90.5 (range: 84~95). Three patients had some degree of discomfort with the hook plate, but these symptoms were relieved on removal of the plate. The radiological evaluation showed restoration of the vertical displacement of the clavicle in all the patients. No complications occurred such as infection, plate failure or redislocation after removal of the plate. Conclusion: The short term follow-up results of treating acromioclvicular joint dislocation using an AO hook plate were satisfactory both clinically and radiologically.