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

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2020

Background: High complication rate after open reduction and internal fixation can lead to use of primary total elbow replacement (TER) in treatment of complex distal humerus fractures in elderly patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term outcomes and complications after primary TER in patients with complex distal humerus fracture. Methods: Nine patients with acute complex distal humerus fracture were treated by primary TER using the semiconstrained Coonrad-Morrey prosthesis. The mean age of patients was 72.7 years (range, 63-85 years). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated over a mean follow-up of 29.0 months (range, 12-65 months) using visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain; Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS); Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick-DASH) score; and serial plain radiographs. Complications were also evaluated. Results: At the final follow-up, mean VAS, MEPS, and Quick-DASH scores were 1.2, 80.5, and 20, respectively. The mean range of motion was 127.7° of flexion, 13.8° of extension, 73.3° of pronation, and 74.4° of supination. There was no evidence of bushing wear or high-grade implant loosening on serial plain radiographs. Three complications (33.3%) comprising two periprosthetic fractures and one ulnar neuropathy were observed. Conclusions: Primary TER for treatment of complex distal humerus fractures in elderly patients yielded satisfactory short-term outcomes. However, surgeons should consider the high complication rate after primary TER.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.66-71
• /
• 2021

Background: Extra-articular distal humerus locking plates (EADHPs) are precontoured anatomical plates widely used to repair distal humeral extra-articular diaphyseal fractures. However, EADHPs frequently cause distal protrusion and resulting skin discomfort. The purpose of this study was to predict the occurrence of anatomic fit mismatch. We hypothesized that the smaller the humerus size, the greater the anatomic fit mismatch with EADHP. Methods: Twenty humeri were analyzed in this study. Humeral length and distal humeral width were used as parameters of humeral size. Plate protrusion was measured between the EADHP distal tip and the distal humerus. We set the level of unacceptable EADHP anatomic fit mismatch as ≥10 mm plate protrusion. Results: A significant negative linear correlation was also confirmed between humeral size and plate protrusion, with a coefficient of determination of 0.477 for humeral length and 0.814 for distal humeral width. The cutoff value of humeral length to avoid ≥10 mm plate protrusion was 293.6 mm (sensitivity, 88.9%; specificity, 81.8%) and for distal humeral width was 60.5 mm (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 81.8%). Conclusions: Anatomic fit mismatch in distal humeral fractures after EADHP fixation has a negative linear correlation with humeral length and distal humeral width. For patients with a distal humeral width <60.5 mm, ≥10 mm plate protrusion will occur when an EADHP is used, and an alternative implant or approach should be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.271-275
• /
• 2020

Trauma is frequently implicated in the development of sarcomas, including rhabdomyosarcoma. Rare soft tissue sarcomas have been reported to arise in scar tissue following surgical procedures or thermal or acid burns, at fracture sites, and in the vicinity of plastic or metal implants, usually after a latent period of several years. The authors encountered a case of a rhabdomyosarcoma arising from the forearm crushed by a conveyor belt 11 years ago. Several possible etiological factors for sarcoma development were identified in this patient, including tissue damage and inflammation, as well as the presence of metal implants and the limb's exposure to radiation during multiple imaging tests. After severe soft tissue damage, the occurrence of a sarcoma should be considered and more attention should be paid to the causative factors for sarcoma.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.245-252
• /
• 2021

Background: In patients with total elbow arthroplasty (TEA), the soft-tissue around the elbow can be vulnerable to soft-tissue complications. This study aims to assess the outcomes after soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Methods: We retrospectively included nine adult patients who underwent soft-tissue reconstruction following TEA. Demographic data and disease characteristics were collected through medical chart reviews. Additionally, we contacted all four patients that were alive at the time of the study by phone to assess any current elbow complications. Local tissue rearrangement was used for soft-tissue reconstruction in six patients, and a pedicle flap was used in three patients. The median follow-up period was 1.3 years (range, 6 months-14.7 years). Results: Seven patients (78%) underwent reoperation. Four patients (44%) had a reoperation for soft-tissue complications, including dehiscence or nonhealing of infected wounds. Five patients (56%) had a reoperation for implant-related complications, including three infections and two peri-prosthetic fractures. At the final follow-ups, six patients (67%) achieved successful wound healing and two patients had continued wound healing issues, while two patients had an antibiotic spacer in situ and one patient underwent an above-the-elbow amputation. Conclusions: This study reports a complication rate of 78% for soft-tissue reconstructions after TEA. Successful soft-tissue healing was achieved in 67% of patients, but at the cost of multiple surgeries. Early definitive soft-tissue reconstruction could prove to be preferable to minor interventions such as irrigation, debridement, and local tissue advancement, or smaller soft-tissue reconstructions using local tissue rearrangement or a pedicled flap at a later stage.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.54 no.5
• /
• pp.377-383
• /
• 2019

The biomechanics study of the hip is aims to understand and explore the dynamic principles of weight transfer through the hip joint. This basic science knowledge can be applied in a variety of areas, including degenerative joint diseases and hip replacement arthroplasty. In particular, understanding of the biomechanics of the hip has led to the development of materials, design and fixation of implants, and it can be applied in various areas, such as the selection of surgical methods and the location of the implant. Moreover, it is essential to have good knowledge of the biomechanics of the hip to achieve better clinical results for patients. Therefore, this paper introduces the basic knowledge and biomechanical characteristics of a normal hip and hip replacement arthroplasty, which are needed to approach the biomechanics of the hip.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.416-422
• /
• 2023

Background: Advancements in airport screening measures in response to 9/11 have resulted in increased false alarm rates for patients with orthopedic and metal implants. With the implementation of millimeter-wave scanning technology, it is important to assess the changes in airport screening experiences of patients who underwent total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Methods: Here, 197 patients with prior anatomic and reverse TSA completed between 2013 and 2020 responded to a questionnaire regarding their experiences with airport travel screening after their operation. Of these patients, 86 (44%) stated that they had traveled by plane, while 111 (56%) had not. The questionnaire addressed several measures including the number of domestic and international flights following the operation, number of false alarm screenings by the millimeter-wave scanner, patient body habitus, and presence of additional metal implants. Results: A total of 53 patients (62%) responded "yes" to false screening alarms due to shoulder arthroplasty. The odds of a false screening alarm for patients with other metal implants was 5.87 times that of a false screening alarm for patients with no other metal implants (P<0.1). Of a reported 662 flights, 303 (45.8%) resulted in false screening alarms. Greater body mass index was not significantly lower in patients who experienced false screening alarms (P=0.30). Conclusions: Patients with anatomic and reverse TSA trigger false alarms with millimeter-wave scanners during airport screening at rates consistent with prior reports following 9/11. Patient education on the possibility of false alarms during airport screening is important until improvements in implant identification are made. Level of evidence: IV.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.227-232
• /
• 2019

MRI examination for patients with metal objects has in poor image quality. Metallic implants can result in poor image because magnetic susceptibility causes signal loss and distortion and makes poor imaging, which is called magnetic susceptibility artifact or metal artifact. There are several approaches to reduce metal artifacts. In this study, we study the reduction of metal artifact by VAT and SEMAC techniques. A metal implant used for orthopedic surgery was attached to the phatom and the distortion caused by the artifact was measured under T1WI and T2WI protocols. Several techniques of VAT only and VAT and SEMAC for the reduction of metal artifact were compared. The metal artifact showed a reduction of at least 8% to a maximum of 26% in the VAT-SEMAC. The VAT-SEMAC technique can be applied to patients with orthopedic implants to improve image quality. If scan time and image quality are simultaneously considered in VAT-SEMAC technique, metal artifact will be reduced in clinical practice.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.148-153
• /
• 2012

Various biceps tenodesis techniques being used, make it difficult to compare the result of reports. First, the biceps tenodesis could be classified according to being performed by open incision or by the arthroscopic procedure. Second, it could be classified as a soft tissue and bony tenodesis according to the tissue which the long head of biceps is fixed with. Third, it could be classified as a proximal and distal tenodesis according to the location which the long head of biceps is fixed with. Fourth, it could be classified according to the implant (interference screw, suture anchor, knotless suture anchor). A decision should be suspended until an appropriate strength of tenodesis is revealed.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2011

Ankle injuries may involve the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and can be associated with a variable degree of trauma to the soft tissue and osseous structures that play an important role in ankle joint stability. Ankle syndesmotic injury may occur solely as a soft tissue injury or in association with variable ankle fractures. Ankle syndesmotic injury does not necessarily lead to ankle instability; however, the coexistence of deltoid ligament injury critically destabilizes the ankle joint. The prevalence of these injuries may be higher than previously reported. The diagnosis of syndesmotic injury as not always easy because isolated ankle sprains may be missed in the absence of a frank diastasis and syndesmotic instability may be unnoticed in the presence of bimalleolar ankle fractures. Controversies arise at almost every phase of treatment includings : type of fixation(screw size, type of implant), number of cortices required for fixation and of need for hardware removal. Regardless of controversies, the most important goal should be restore and maintain the normal tibiofibular relationship to allow for healing of the ligamentous structures of the syndesmosis.