• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2001

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible contributing factors and surgical results of rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 40 years of age. Materials and Methods: From July, 1996 to February, 2000, twelve patients were available to participate in the study. The average age was 35 years (range, 17 to 40 years) old. Follow-up averaged eighteen months (range, 12 to 55 months). There were eleven men and one women. Each shoulder was evaluated with UCLA shoulder functional assessment, return-to-work status, return-to-sport status, and overall postoperative satisfaction. Results: After operation, eleven patients (92%) reported diminished pain relative to their preoperative level, and ten patients (83%) were improved in shoulder function. eleven patients (92%) exhibited improved strength after operation. nine patients (75%) returned to employment, and six patients (50%) returned to sports activities. Preoperative UCLA score averaged 12 and postoperative score averaged 31. Ten patients (83%) were satisfied with the outcome of their treatment. Conclusion: A traumatic event was the etiology of the rotator cuff tears in patients younger than 40 years. Results of surgical treatment in this younger group were satisfactory.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2015

Background: Repair of superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion in patients older than 40 years is controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of arthroscopic repair of SLAP lesions between younger and older patient groups. Methods: We reviewed 50 patients with isolated type II SLAP lesions who underwent arthroscopic repair. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included 20 patients aged <40 years, and group 2 included 30 patients aged ${\geq}40years$. Functional outcome at the final follow-up was assessed using a visual analog scale for pain and satisfaction, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons form, Constant score, University of California at Los Angeles score, and periodic change in range of motion (ROM). Anatomical outcome was evaluated using computed tomography (CT) arthrography at least 1 year after surgery. Results: No significant differences in functional scores or postoperative ROM were observed between the 2 groups. In group 2, later recovery of ROM (forward flexion, p=0.025; internal rotation, p=0.034) and lower satisfaction score (p=0.06) were observed for atraumatic patients (n=16) compared to patients with traumatic injury (n=14). Fifteen patients in group 1 (15/17, 88%) and 21 patients in group 2 (21/26, 81%) demonstrated a healed labrum on postoperative CT arthrography, and this difference was not significant. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesions can yield good functional and anatomical outcomes regardless of age, if patient selection is adequate. However, the delay in ROM recovery and lower satisfaction, particularly in older patients without traumatic injury, should be considered.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is still in its infancy as compared with other forms of arthroplasty. TEA designs have evolved with experience, but comparatively little long-term outcome data is available. This article provides an overview of the current states of linked, unlinked, and convertible total elbow arthroplasty. Material and Method: The designs of total elbow prostheses can be subdivided into three categories: unlinked, linked, and convertible. This article provides an overview of the current states of linked, unlinked, and convertible total elbow arthroplasty. Results and Conclusion: By proper patient selection and by utilizing implant design advances, improvements in cementation techniques, a meticulous surgical technique, and appropriate postoperative rehabilitation, total elbow arthroplasty can provide a high level of patient satisfaction and pain relief.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2011

Purpose: We want to report on one patient who presented with lateral forearm pain caused by compression neuropathy of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve. Materials and Methods: A female patient was managed by operative treatment (biceps tenoplasty) after failure with conservative treatment for 6 weeks. One year later, we evaluated the clinical symptoms and biceps tendon problems such as supination weakness or rupture after the tenoplasty. Results: Her symptom completely subsided immediately at the first postoperative day and her recovery was uneventful. Supination weakness and rupture of the distal biceps tendon were not found after the operation. Conclusion: We have reported here on a case of successful management of lateral antebrachial cutaneous neuropathy by performing biceps tenoplasty, along with a review of the previously published articles.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.275-279
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Here we report a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder associated with a rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: A 52 year-old female who had suffered from pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder associated with a rotator cuff tear was treated with arthroscopic synovectomy and subacromial decompression. Results: Pain was reduced and the patient achieved a good functional outcome after surgery. Conclusion: The current authors report a case of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the shoulder associated with rotator cuff tear and a review of literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.42-49
• /
• 2006

Purpose: This study evaluated clinical results, and recommended treatment protocol of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in the patients older than 60 years of age. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with first traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation aged over 60 years were included. The average age was 69.4 (range, 60 to 87 years). There were 8 men (average age of 71.6) and 30 women (average age of 69). Most common cause of injuries was a fall on the outstretched hand. The additional injuries were evaluated using MRI or CT arthrogram in the patients with significant pain and weakness while movements after 2 weeks sling immobilization. Results: Fifteen patients (39%) had rotator cuff tears and 5 patients (14%) had greater tuberosity fractures. The sizes of rotator cuff tears were diverse; 2 partial tears, 1 small tear, 4 medium tears, 3 large tears and 5 massive tears. Among 5 massive cuff tears, 3 patients revealed cuff arthropathy after reduction. 4 patients (11%) had recurrent dislocation more than one time during 1 month after the first dislocation. Bankart lesions revealed in 5 patients and three of them had associated rotator cuff tears. 3 out of 5 patients with Bankart lesions, 13 out of 15 patients with rotator cuff tears and 3 patients with displaced greater tuberosity fracture had operations. Conclusion: The injury mechanism of shoulder dislocation in patients older than 60 years of age seems to have either anterior or posterior mechanism. The diagnosis and treatment should be approached 2 weeks after dislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2006

Purpose: This study reports the clinical results of the arthroscopic Bankart repair in traumatic anterior instability of the shoulder with bio-knotless anchor. Materials and Methods: 21 cases of 21 patients (20 male and 1 female) were included in this study. The average age was 24.8 years old and the period from the first injury to operation was average 37.2 months. All cases had Bankart lesion and 12 cases had Hill-Sachs' lesion. The SLAP lesion was associated in 6 cases. Preoperative Rowe score was average 29.1. Arthroscopic Bankart repair with bio-knotless anchor were performed in all cases; 3 anchors at 3, 4, 5 O'clock position of the glenoid were used in 11 cases and 2 anchors at 4, 5 O'clock position were used in 10 cases. All the associated SLAP lesions were repaired arthroscopically with bio-knotless anchor. Thermal capsular shrinkage at the anterior and inferior shoulder capsule after the Bankart repair was performed in 3 cases. The average follow up period was 20.2 months. Results: The Rowe score improved to 92.8, excellent in 17 cases and good in 4 cases, at last follow up period and 20 cases had full range of motion of the shoulder. 1 case had mild limited range of motion of the shoulder (150 degrees in flexion, 60 degrees in external rotation and T12 level in internal rotation) without any problem in normal activity. The arthroscopic revision surgery of the shoulder was performed in 1 case because of multiple traumatic injuries of the shoulder with pain postoperatively. Conclusion: Arthroscopic Bankart repair with bio-knotless anchor in traumatic anterior shoulder instability is one of the good methods because of the good clinical results.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness and functional results of open repair of massive rotator cuff tears combined with or without the tenoplasty of biceps long head. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to August 2004, we evaluated 18 cases of the patient treated with open repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The mean age was 56 years and mean follow-up period was 15 months. We performed open repair of massive rotator cuff tears by tendon to bone repair, but in irrepairable 4 cases for tendon to bone repair performed open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head. The functional results were assessed using the Constant score, the parameters of which were pain, dialy activity, mobility, strength and satisfaction. Results: The functional results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases. And the results of open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head were good in 2 cases and fair in 2 cases. Re-repair was done in 1 case for re-rupture. And the functional result of this case was fair. The 3 poor cases were suspected re-rupture, the factor of which old age and weakened rotator cuff. It was impossible to do re-repair. Conclusion: The open repair combined with or without tenoplasty of biceps long head is a useful and effective method for massive rotator cuff tear.

• 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.20 no.1
• /
• pp.3-9
• /
• 2017

Background: Many hyaluronic acid (HA)-based anti-adhesive agents have been commercialized for clinical use in the pharmaceutical market. But their efficacy in arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs remains elusive. To determine their efficacy, we performed a comparative analysis of the effects of two hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based anti-adhesive agents, Protescal and Guardix. Methods: We recruited a total of 256 patients who had received an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our hospital between January 2014 and March 2015. Among them, 96 patients fulfilled the study's selection criteria and were enrolled as the final population sample. Thirty patients who had received a postoperative injection of Protescal were allocated into Group A. Another 30 patients who had received a postoperative injection of Guardix were allocated into Group B. As controls, 36 patients who did not receive any injection were allocated into Group C. The patients included in this study were aged between 19 and 75 years. For the clinical assessment, we measured the following clinical parameters-the visual analogue scale for pain (PVAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the constant score, as well as passive range of motions (ROMs)-at three time-points (preoperatively, 2-month postoperatively, and 6-month postoperatively). Results: We found that Group A compared to Group B tended to show a swifter recovery in passive anterior elevation and in internal rotation by the 2-month postoperative follow-up, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We found that the effects of HA/CMC-based injections were minimal after arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs.