• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2023

Background: Common questions about shoulder arthroplasty (SA) searched online by patients and the quality of this content are unknown. The purpose of this study is to uncover questions SA patients search online and determine types and quality of webpages encountered. Methods: The "People also ask" section of Google Search was queried to return 900 questions and associated webpages for general, anatomic, and reverse SA. Questions and webpages were categorized using the Rothwell classification of questions and assessed for quality using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria. Results: According to Rothwell classification, the composition of questions was fact (54.0%), value (24.7%), and policy (21.3%). The most common webpage categories were medical practice (24.6%), academic (23.2%), and medical information sites (14.4%). Journal articles represented 8.9% of results. The average JAMA score for all webpages was 1.69. Journals had the highest average JAMA score (3.91), while medical practice sites had the lowest (0.89). The most common question was, "How long does it take to recover from shoulder replacement?" Conclusions: The most common questions SA patients ask online involve specific postoperative activities and the timeline of recovery. Most information is from low-quality, non-peer-reviewed websites, highlighting the need for improvement in online resources. By understanding the questions patients are asking online, surgeons can tailor preoperative education to common patient concerns and improve postoperative outcomes. Level of evidence: IV.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.152-158
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the effectiveness of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in treating irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent RTSA for the treatment of irreparable massive RCTs and completed follow-up for at least 1 year were selected. Their mean age was 69.7 years (range, 59-80 years). The mean follow-up was 17.7 months (range, 12-42 months). The shoulder range of motion was measured preoperatively and at final follow-up. The functional result was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. Additionally, the shoulders were categorized into two groups depending on prior history of surgery and the clinical outcomes were analyzed between two groups. Results: Mean pain VAS improved, from $6.6{\pm}1.2$ to $2.7{\pm}0.9$ (p=0.001), and the mean functional VAS from $35.7{\pm}4.2$ to $73.3{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.006). The mean ASES score improved from $37.2{\pm}2.8$ to $75.0{\pm}3.8$ (p=0.012). The mean KSS improved from $36.5{\pm}7.2$ to $75.6{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.009), the mean forward elevation from $66.3{\pm}4.7$ to $135.6{\pm}8.4$ (p=0.0001), and the mean abduction from $45.2{\pm}4.2$ to $119.0{\pm}6.5o$ (p=0.0001). Internal rotation differed significantly from the first sacral to the third lumbar vertebrae (p=0.036). External rotation did not change significantly (p=0.076). There was also no statistically significant difference between groups (no previous operation versus none). Four complications occurred: one superficial infection, one with anterior dislocation, one acromial fracture, and one clavicle fracture. Conclusions: RTSA provides reliable pain relief and recovery of shoulder function in patients with massive irreparable RCTs in short-term follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to identify and understand the complications of RTSA and to review the current methods of preventing and treating this malady. Materials and Methods: Previous constrained prostheses (ball-and-socket or reverse ball-and-socket designs) have failed because their center of rotation remained lateral to the scapula, which has limited of the motion of the prostheses and produced excessive torque on the glenoid component, and this leads to early loosening. The Grammont reverse prosthesis imposes a new biomechanical environment for the deltoid muscle to act, thus allowing it to compensate for the deficient rotator cuff muscles. Results: The clinical experience does live up to the lofty biomechanical concept and expectations: the reverse prosthesis restores active elevation above $90^{\circ}$ in patients with a cuff-deficient shoulder. However, external rotation often remains limited and particularly in patients with an absent or fat-infiltrated teres minor. Internal rotation is also rarely restored after a reverse prosthesis. Failure to restore sufficient tension in the deltoid may result in prosthetic instability. Conclusion: Finally, surgeons must be aware that the results are less predictable and the complication/revision rates are higher in revision surgery than that in the first surgery. A standardized monitoring tool that has clear definitions and assessment instructions is surely needed to document and then prevent complications after revision surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.357-365
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concomitant open distal clavicle excision (DCE) on postoperative clinical outcomes and incidence of acromial and scapular stress fractures (ASFs) in patients with symptomatic acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis (ACJ OA) undergoing reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Methods: A single-surgeon retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients who underwent primary elective RTSA with or without DCE from 2015 to 2019 with a minimum 6-month follow-up period. Shoulder active range of motion (AROM) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. ASFs and other adverse events were identified using postoperative notes and/or radiographs. Characteristics and outcomes were compared between the RTSA and RTSA-DCE groups. Results: Forty-six RTSA patients (mean age, 67.9±8.7 years; 60.9% male; mean follow-up, 24.9±16.6 months) and 70 RTSA-DCE patients (mean age, 70.2±8.9 years; 20.0% male; mean follow-up, 22.7±12.9 months) were included. There were no significant intergroup differences in rates of ASF (RTSA, 0.0% vs. RTSA-DCE, 1.4%; P=1.00), stress reactions (RTSA, 8.7% vs. RTSA-DCE, 11.4%; P=0.76), reoperation, revision, or infection (all P>0.05), or in pre-to-postoperative reduction in VAS pain (P=0.17) at latest follow-up. However, the RTSA-DCE group had greater pre-to-postoperative improvement in flexion AROM (RTSA, 43.7°±38.5° vs. RTSA-DCE, 59.5°±33.4°; P=0.03) and internal rotation (IR) AROM (P=0.02) at latest follow-up. Conclusions: Concomitant DCE in RTSA improves shoulder flexion and IR AROM, alleviates shoulder pain, and does not increase the risk of ASFs. Level of evidence: III.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.50-57
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• 2019

Rotator cuff tear is a common cause of shoulder pain and disability in adults. Due to the various nature of progression of rotator cuff tears and the complex biomechanics of the shoulder joint, repair and treatment of large-to-massive tears are challenging for many surgeons. Despite the recent popularity of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty as a treatment option for large-to-massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, biological and mechanical repair augmentation has also shown promise as a viable treatment option. The purpose of this study was to briefly summarize and review current studies on the assessment and arthroscopic treatment of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears, whether repairable or irreparable, to aid in developing a consensus on future treatment directions.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.105-108
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• 2020

Stress fractures of the acromion and scapular spine are well-known complications following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. However, these fractures in patients with massive rotator cuff tear or cuff tear arthropathy are extremely rare, and the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of these fractures are poorly understood. We report a case of bilateral stress fracture of the posterior angle of the acromion in a patient with massive rotator cuff tear and discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and treatment with a review of the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2019

Proximal humerus fracture can be defined as a fracture that occurs in the surgical neck or proximal part of the humerus. Despite the appropriate treatment, however, various complications and sequelae can occur, and the treatment is quite difficult often requiring surgical treatment, such as a shoulder replacement. The classification of sequelae after a proximal humerus fracture is most commonly used by Boileau and can be divided into two categories and four types. Category I is an intracapsular impacted fracture that is not accompanied by important distortions between the tuberosities and humeral head. An anatomic prosthesis can be used without greater tuberosity osteotomy. In category I, there are type 1 with cephalic collapse or necrosis with minimal tuberosity malunion and type 2 related to locked dislocation or fracture-dislocation. Category II is an extracapsular dis-impacted fracture with gross distortion between the tuberosities and the humeral head. To perform an anatomic prosthesis, a tuberosity osteotomy should be performed. In category II, there are type 3 with nonunion of the surgical neck and type 4 with severe tuberosity malunion. In type 1, non-constrained arthroplasty (NCA) without a tuberosity osteotomy should be considered as a treatment. On the other hand, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) should be considered if types 1C or 1D accompanied by valgus or varus deformity or severe fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff. In general, the results are satisfactory when NCA is performed in type 2 sequelae. On the other hand, RSA can be considered as an option when there is no bony defect of the glenoid and a defect of the rotator cuff is accompanied. In type 3, it would be effective to perform internal fixation with a bone wedge graft rather than shoulder replacement arthroplasty. Recent reports on the results of RSA are also increasing. On the other hand, recent reports suggest that good results are obtained with RSA in type 3. In type 4, RSA should be considered as a first option.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 2013

Purpose: The goal of this study is to evaluate the minimum three-year follow-up results of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) for glenohumeral (GH) arthritic and pseudoparalytic patients with severe rotator cuff deficiency. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 13 patients (three males and 10 females) who underwent RTSA from July 2007 to July 2010. The average follow-up duration was 54.2 months (range, 37~74 months). Clinical results were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, active Range of Motion (ROM): active forward flexion (aFF); active external rotation at the side (aERs); active internal rotation to the back (aIRb), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Korean Shoulder Score (KSS), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. Results: VAS score improved from 7.5(6~10) points to 1.5(0~4), and ROM of active forward elevation improved from $42.7(10{\sim}100)^{\circ}$ to $129.1(110{\sim}180)^{\circ}$. In addition, ASES score improved from preoperative 32.9 (11.7~46.7) points to 80.2(58.3~95.0) postoperatively, and KSS score improved from 36.8(24~47) points to 78.4 (61~92). Twelve out of 13 cases showed various degrees of scapular notching at the last follow-up. There was one case of intraoperative anterior glenoid fracture and two cases of temporary nerve injury. Revision surgery was performed in two cases for treatment of delayed postoperative deep infection. Conclusion: According to minimum three-year follow-up results, RTSA may be an effective treatment option for glenohumeral (GH) arthritic and pseudoparalytic patients. However, considering the possibility of complications related to delayed deep infection or surgeon's technique, RTSA should be judiciously and carefully indicated by expert surgeons.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.418-426
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• 2019

Purpose: This study analyzed the features of humeral head decentralization in large to massive rotator cuff tears with a shoulder dislocation in the elderly. Moreover, shoulder instability and treatment were reviewed. Materials and Methods: From May 2005 to February 2017, Group A containing 45 cases (45 patients) over 65 years old accompanied by a large or massive rotator cuff tear with a shoulder dislocation and Group B containing 45 cases (45 patients) without a shoulder dislocation were enrolled. The mean ages in Groups A and B were 73.2 and 72.1 years old, and the mean follow-up periods were 30.7 and 31.3 months, respectively. Twenty-one cases (46.7%) in Group A underwent rotator cuff repair, and 8 cases (17.8%) underwent concomitant rotator cuff repair with Bankart repair. Sixteen cases (35.6%) underwent reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for cuff tear arthropathy. 45 cases (100%) in Group B underwent rotator cuff repair. The off-the center and head elevation were measured in the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of Groups A and B. The preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score in Groups A and B were compared. Results: In Groups A and B, the mean off-the centers were posterior 7.41 mm and posterior 2.02 mm (p=0.03), and the mean head elevations were superior 6.66 mm and superior 2.44 mm (p=0.02), respectively. The mean ASES scores of Groups A and B were 32.8 and 33.4 before surgery, and 77.1 (p=0.02) and 78.1 (p=0.02) after surgery (p=0.18), respectively. The mean UCLA scores of Groups A and B were 13.1 and 12.8 before surgery, and 28.9 (p=0.02) and 29.5 (p=0.01) after surgery (p=0.15), respectively. Conclusion: Patients over 65 years old with a shoulder dislocation in large to massive rotator cuff tears had higher off-the center and head elevation on the preoperative MRI than those without a shoulder dislocation. This measurement can help predict preceding shoulder instability. Early rotator cuff repairs should be performed and other treatments, such as Bankart repair and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, should also be considered.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.220-226
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• 2018

Background: This study introduces a surgical technique with good clinical outcome useful in the treatment of osteoporotic displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures. Methods: From May 2014 to February 2016, 16 patients with displaced 3- or 4-part proximal humeral fractures were treated by application of a locking plate with an endosteal strut allograft via a deltoid splitting approach with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. The allograft was inserted through a fractured gap of the greater tuberosity to support the humeral head and then fixed by a locking plate with meticulous soft tissue dissection to protect the axillary nerve. Surgical outcomes were evaluated by the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, radiological imaging, and clinical examination. Fixation failure on radiographs was defined as a >$5^{\circ}$ loss of neck shaft angle (NSA) compared to that on an immediate postoperative radiograph. Avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head was also evaluated. Results: In all cases, complete union was achieved. The ASES and VAS scores were improved to $85.4{\pm}2.1$ and $3.2{\pm}1.3$, respectively. Twelve patients (75.0%) had greater than a $5^{\circ}$ change in NSA; the average NSA change was $3.8^{\circ}$. Five patients (31.3%) had unsatisfactory ranges of motion exhibiting a <$100^{\circ}$ active forward flexion. No axillary nerve injuries or AVN were observed at the last follow-up. One patient was converted to reverse total arthroplasty due to severe pain and functional deficit. Conclusions: Minimally invasive fixation via a locking compression plate and an endosteal fibula strut allograft in Neer classification 3-or 4-part fractures with severe osteoporosis in elderly patients can achieve good clinical results.