• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2016

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical outcomes of plate fixation using autologous iliac bone graft shaped in the form of a matchstick in clavicle nonunion resulting from prior surgical or non-surgical management. Methods: From May 2005 to February 2013, 17 patients underwent surgery for clavicle nonunion. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48.8 years. The iliac bone was harvested and shaped into slivers approximately 3 cm long, which resembled matchsticks. After opening of the medullary canal, the plate and screws were applied and cancellous bone was placed at the nonunion site. Matchstick bone grafts which were longitudinally placed and encircled on the nonunion site were tied with periosteum using 3-4 stitches. Union was determined via postoperative plane X-ray. Clinical status was evaluated using the visual analogue scale score for pain, and Constant and American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon score. Results: All patients had a stable radiological union at the follow-up. The mean duration from index operation to nonunion operation was 13.2 months (7-32 months). The mean follow-up period was 20.1 months (8-56 months), and the mean duration until union was 11.2 weeks (8-16 weeks). All clinical scores were improved at the final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean segmental defect was $3.3{\pm}2.6mm$ (1-18 mm); and the difference in clavicular length between operative and non-operative site was $5.9{\pm}6.9mm$. Conclusions: Matchstick shaped autologous iliac bone grafting technique in clavicle nonunion is acceptable with a high union rate.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.250-254
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Snapping triceps syndrome is dynamic condition in which medial head of triceps snaps (dislocates) over the medial epicondyle as the elbow is flexed. Materials and Methods: The symptoms are pain or snapping at the medial aspect of the elbow and/or symptoms from coexisting ulnar nerve irritation. The diagnosis can be made by dynamic ultrasonography. Results and Conclusion: And successful outcome can be archived by operative treatment, which are ulnar nerve anterior transposition and tenotomy of medial head of triceps.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.232-235
• /
• 2009

Purpose: We report here on a solution for the case of a 71 year old lady with cartilage destruction in the left shoulder and the loss of the rotator cuff secondary to post-septic arthritic sequelae. Materials and methods: After thorough laboratory, clinical and radiological investigation of the patient to rule out any foci of active infection, we contemplated performing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty as a primary procedure. Results: At 22 months follow up, the patient had an excellent result according to the UCLA and ASES scales. Conclusion: Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty seems to be an efficient procedure to improve pain and function in the post-septic shoulder accompanying severe rotator cuff injury.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2014

Background: To compare the effect of different starting periods of rehabilitative exercise (early or delayed passive exercise) on the rate of retear and other clinical outcomes after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods: In total, 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff were included in the study. Determined at 2 weeks post-operation, patients who were incapable of passive forward elevation greater than $90^{\circ}$ were allotted to the early exercise group (group I: 79 patients; 42 males, 37 females), whilst those capable were allotted to the delayed exercise group (group II: 24 patients; 14 males, 10 females). The group I started passive exercise, i.e. stretching, within 2 weeks of operation, whilst group II started within 6 weeks. The results were compared on average 15.8 months (11-49 months) post-operation using the passive range of motion, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Constant scores. Stiffness was defined as passive forward elevation or external rotation of less than $30^{\circ}C$ compared to the contralateral side. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on average 1 year post-operation and the rate of retear was compared with Sugaya's criteria. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in gender, age, smoking, presence of diabetes, arm dominance, period of tear unattended, pre-operative range of motion, shape and size of tear, degree of tendon retraction, and tendon quality. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes. Whilst stiffness was more frequent in group II (p-value 0.03), retear was more frequent in group I (p-value 0.028) according to the MRI follow-up. Conclusions: During rehabilitation after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff, the delay of passive exercise seems to decrease the rate of retear but increase the risk of stiffness.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.37-41
• /
• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate results of superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) repairs and debridement of type II SLAP lesions combined with Bankart lesions. Methods: Between 2010 and 2014, total 58 patients with anterior shoulder instability due to a Bankart lesion combined with a type II SLAP lesion were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: group C consisted of 30 patients, each with a communicated Bankart and type II SLAP lesion and group NC consisted of 28 patients, each with a non-communicated Bankart and type II SLAP lesion. Bankart repairs were performed for all patients. SLAP lesions were repaired in group C and debrided in group NC. Clinical results were analysed to compare groups C and NC by using the visual analogue scale pain score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Constant scores, Rowe score for instability and range of motion assessments. Results: The clinical scores were improved in both groups at final follow-up. Also, there were no differences between two groups. No significant difference was found in terms of the range of motion measured at the last follow-up. The number of suture anchors used was significantly higher in group C than in group NC (5.6 vs. 3.8; p=0.021). Conclusions: In this study, it is considered that Bankart repair and SLAP debridement could be a treatment option in patients with a non-communicated type II SLAP lesion combined with a Bankart lesion (study design: IV, therapeutic study, case series).

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.42-47
• /
• 2018

A 25-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with a painful and swollen right forearm. She had just sustained an injury from an accident during which her arm was tightly wound by a rope as she was lowering a net from a fishing boat. Before being released, her arm was rigidly trapped in the rope for approximately ten minutes. Radiographs revealed anterior dislocation of the radial head that was accompanied by plastic deformation of the proximal ulna, manifested as a reversal of the proximal dorsal angulation of the ulna (PUDA); suggested a Monteggia equivalent fracture. With the patient under general anesthesia, we reduced the radial head by posterior compression at $90^{\circ}$ of elbow flexion and at neutral rotation of the forearm. However, the reduction was easily lost and the elbow re-dislocated with even slight supination or extension of the arm. After the osteotomy of the ulnar deformity to restore the PUDA to normal, the reduction remained stable even with manipulation of the arm. We found that the patient could exercise a full range of motion without pain at the 3-month follow-up, and neither residual instability nor degenerative changes were observed at the final 3-year follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.22-29
• /
• 2018

Background: This study is performed to evaluate anchor-related outcomes and complications after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 30% ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) with 70% poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) biocomposite suture anchors. Methods: A total of 78 patients (mean age, $61.3{\pm}6.9years$) who underwent arthroscopic medium-to-large full-thickness rotator cuff tear repair were enrolled. The technique employed 30% ${\beta}$-TCP with 70% PLGA biocomposite suture anchors at the medial row (38 patients, Healix $BR^{TM}$ anchor [Healix group]; 40 patients, Fixone anchor B [Fixone group]). The radiologic outcomes (including perianchor cyst formation or bone substitution) and anatomical outcomes of the healing failure rate were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery, the pain visual analogue scale at 3, 6 months, and final follow-up visit, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores at least 1 year postoperatively. Anchor-related complications were also evaluated. Results: The perianchor cyst formation incidence was similar for both groups (60.5%, Healix group; 60.0%, Fixone group; p=0.967), although severe perianchor cyst incidence was slightly lower in the Fixone group (15.0%) than in the Healix group (21.1%). There was no occurrence of anchor absorption and bone substitution. No differences were observed in the healing failure rate (13.2%, Healix group; 15.0%, Fixone group; p=0.815) and functional outcome between groups (all p>0.05). Anchor breakage occurred in 5 patients (2 Healix anchors and 3 Fixone anchors); however, there were no major anchor-related complications in either group. Conclusions: No differences were observed in the clinical outcomes of the Healix and Fixone groups, neither were there any accompanying major anchor-related complications.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 2016

Background: In South Korea, the number of cases of dental treatment for the disabled is gradually increasing, primarily at regional dental clinics for the disabled. This study investigated pediatric patients at a treatment clinic for the disabled within a university hospital who received dental treatment under general anesthesia. This data could assist those that provide dental treatment for the disabled and guide future treatment directions and new policies. Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of 263 cases in which patients received dental treatment under general anesthesia from January 2011 to May 2016. The variables examined were gender, age, reason for anesthesia, type of disability, time under anesthesia, duration of treatment, type of procedure, treatment details, and annual trends in the use of general anesthesia. Results: Among pediatric patients with disabilities who received dental treatment under general anesthesia, the most prevalent age group was 5-8 years old (124 patients, 47.1%), and the primary reason for administering anesthesia was dental anxiety or phobia. The mean time under anesthesia was $132.7{\pm}77.6min$, and the mean duration of treatment was $101.9{\pm}71.2min$. The most common type of treatment was restoration, accounting for 158 of the 380 treatments performed. Conclusions: Due to increasing demand, the number of cases of dental treatment performed under general anesthesia is expected to continue increasing, and it can be a useful method of treatment in patients with dental anxiety or phobia.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.190-194
• /
• 2019

Background: The duration of immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and the optimal time to commence rehabilitation are still the subject of ongoing debates. This study was undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome and rotator cuff healing status after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early and delayed rehabilitation. Methods: Totally, 76 patients with small, medium, and large sized rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic repair using the suturebridge technique. In early rehabilitation group, 38 patients commenced passive range of motion at postoperative day 2 whereas 38 patients assigned to the delayed rehabilitation group commenced passive range of motion at postoperative week 3. At the end of the study period, clinical and functional evaluations (Constant score, the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder score) were carried out, subsequent to measuring the range of motion, visual analogue scale for pain, and isokinetic dynamometer test. Rotator cuff healing was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery. Results: No significant difference was obtained in range of motion and visual analogue scale between both groups. Functional outcomes showed similar improvements in the Constant score (early: 67.0-88.0; delayed: 66.9-91.0; p<0.001) and the UCLA shoulder score (early: 20.3-32.3; delayed: 20.4-32.4; p<0.001). Furthermore, rotator cuff healing showed no significant differences between the groups (range, 6-15 months; average, 10.4 months). Conclusions: Delayed passive rehabilitation does not bring about superior outcomes. Therefore, early rehabilitation would be useful to help patients resume their daily lives.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.122-137
• /
• 2021

Objectives: In South Korea, traffic accident victims can be treated under automobile insurance coverage. Korean medicine (KM) clinics have reported the largest number of automobile insurance fee claims among medical institutions. This study investigated the status of the KM automobile insurance system in a single KM clinic. Methods: We retrospectively surveyed the medical charts of 342 traffic accident patients treated at the Jisung KM clinic between January 2009 and June 2017. Results: Most of the patients were men and in their 30s. The most common method of locating the clinic was an internet search. The most common traffic accident type was collision between vehicles (83.63%), with 70.76% of patients visiting during the most acute phase. The major disease codes included S434, M4836, F072, S0600, and S3350. The most frequent treatment period was within 1 month of the accident, and most patients received 10 or fewer treatments. The mean treatment duration and number of treatments were 37.68 ± 45.11 days and 11.68 ± 10.63 treatments, respectively. The initial pain numerical rating scale (NRS), 7.32 ± 0.96, decreased to 3.57 ± 1.40 at the end of treatment, with a symptom improvement score of 1.87 ± 0.60. Regarding sex, age, disease duration, location at the time of the accident, presence of additional and psychological symptoms, and chuna, there were statistically significant differences in treatment duration and number of treatments. A higher number of treatments and the longer treatment duration was associated with a higher initial NRS, lower post-treatment NRS, and better improvement score. Since the introduction of traffic accident (TA) pharmacopuncture, the rate of use of a single type of pharmacopuncture increased; however, no significant differences in treatment duration and number, NRS before and after treatment, and improvement score were observed between treatment groups before and after TA pharmacopuncture. No adverse reactions were observed for any treatment. Conclusion: This study confirmed the previous findings of a high treatment effect of KM under automobile insurance. We also observed significant correlations based on a detailed medical status, which may explain the increasing use of KM in the automobile insurance system. Additional multi-center studies in different regions are needed.