• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of arthroscopic decompression and miniopen repair that was related with large and massive sized full thickness rotator cuff tear and assess clinical result. Materials and Methods: Twenthy-nine cases of miniopen repaired full thickness tear of rotator cuffs that arthroscopically decompressed were studied. From October 1998 to December 2004 we have analysed 29 repairs of large and massive sized FTRCT, the average age 44 ($32{\sim}71$) years old, mean follow-up was 34 ($12{\sim}84$) months. We analyzed the results statistically by paired t-test. Results: Postoperative VAS of pain improved average 7.0 to 1.7, UCLA score improved 13.7 to 31.9, ADL improved 11.3 to 25.3 respectively (all, P=0.000). Twenty five cases(82.8%) of the patients showed excellent & good results at the final follow-up. The satisfied rate was 26 cases(89.7%). Conclusions: Arthroscopic decompression and miniopen repair in large and massive sized full thickness rotator cuff tears are effective surgical methods.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2016

The arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is now considered a mainstream technique with highly satisfactory clinical results. However, concerns remain regarding healing failures for large and massive tears and high revision rate. In recent decades, various repair strategies and construct configurations have been developed for rotator cuff repair with the understanding that many factors contribute to the structural integrity of the repaired construct. The focus of biomechanical test in arthroscopic repair has been on increasing fixation strength and restoration of the footprint contact characteristics to provide early rehabilitation and improve healing. These include repaired rotator cuff tendon-footprint motion, increased tendon-footprint contact area and pressure, and tissue quality of tendon and bone. Recent studies have shown that a transosseous tunnel technique provides improved contact area and pressure between rotator cuff tendon and insertion footprint, and the technique of using double rows of suture anchors to recreate the native footprint attachment has been recently described. The transosseous equivalent suture bridge technique has the highest contact pressure and fixation force. In this review, the biomechanical tests about repair techniques of rotator cuff tear will be reviewed and discussed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The objective of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome and identify prognosis of retear patients in patients aged 65 years or over undergoing surgical repair for a large to massive full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: From 1995 September to 2010 March, 147 patients aged 65years or over (40 male, 107 female, with an average age of 69.6) undergoing surgical repair for large to massive full thickness rotator cuff tear (large 67 cases, massive 80 cases). For functional evaluation, preoperative and postoperative 1 year range of motion and muscle power checked. For subjective evaluation, American shoulder and elbow surgeons score and Constant score were checked. For anatomical evaluation, 87 patients were checked shoulder MRI at the time of the postoperative 1 year. Results: ASES score improved from to 50.4 to 88.9, Constant score improved from 47.1 to 75.2. Supraspinatus power improved from 51.1% to 80.8%, external rotator muscle power improved from 64.5% to 83.1%. Forward elevation improved from 117.4 degrees to 153 degrees, external rotation improved from 23.6 degrees to 41.8 degrees. Follow up MRI showed re-tear in 23%, all re-tear patients were from massive tear except one patient. All re-tear patients showed improved clinical outcomes, but supraspinatus and external rotator muscle power were not improved. Conclusions: Patients aged 65 years or over undergoing surgical repair for a large to massive full-thickness rotator cuff tear showed successful outcomes over 90 percent. Re-tear patients also showed successful clinical outcomes. In elderly patients with large to massive full thickness rotator cuff tear, aggressive surgical repair leads good clinical outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The findings of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (US) examination in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear were then compared with the findings of arthroscopic examination, and to evaluate the postoperative integrity of rotator cuff using serial US examination. Methods: Between February and May 2008, 29 patients with rotator cuff tear had undergone preoperative US and MRI examination and subsequent arthroscopic examination. And the results of MRI and US were compared with intra-operative results of the arthroscopic examination. We observed the postoperative integrity of rotator cuff using serial (postoperative 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months) US examination. Results: The sensitivity of US and MRI for identifying rotator cuff tear were 100% and 100%. The sensitivity of US and MRI were 95% and 82% in full thickness tear, and 50%, 33% in partial thickness tear, respectively. Overall accuracy of US and MRI were 86%, 69%. Among 22 patients were operated for full thickness tear, intra-operative gap formation was identified in 11 patients (50%, small to medium 2 cases, large to massive 9 cases) which were identified at 2 weeks postoperative US. We could find 5 re-tears (23%, small to medium 1 case, large to massive 4 cases) on 6 weeks postoperative US after passive range of motion (ROM) exercise, and could also find 7 re-tears (32%, small to medium 2 cases, large to massive 5 cases)on 3 months postoperative US after active ROM exercise. Conclusion: Serial US after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was useful to differentiate intra-operative gap formation from postoperative re-tear. We found 5 retears (23%) at 6 weeks and 7 retears (32%) at 3 months postoperative US, it was useful to make treatment plan during postoperative rehabilitation.