• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2017

Objectives : This study examined the effects of Korean medicine treatment in three patients following rotator cuff repair. Methods : Patients were treated with acupuncture, bee venom, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. Treatments were performed for an average of 3 weeks. A numeric rating scale (NRS) and range of motion (ROM) were used for evaluation of treatment effects. Results : The NRS score decreased and the ROM increased after treatment. In Case 1, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 6; flexion increased from $25^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $35^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$. In Case 2, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 7; flexion increased from $30^{\circ}$ to $125^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $15^{\circ}$ to $100^{\circ}$. In Case 3, the NRS score decreased from 10 to 3; flexion increased from $40^{\circ}$ to $120^{\circ}$ and abduction increased from $60^{\circ}$ to $95^{\circ}$. Conclusion : Korean medicine treatment following rotator cuff repair was effective in decreasing the NRS score and increasing ROM. Although the study only involved 3 cases, Korean medicine treatment may reduce the duration of rehabilitation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2018

Background: This study was undertaken to compare the outcome of supervised and home exercises with respect to range of motion (ROM), pain, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). We further correlated the ROM recovery and pain reduction as well. Methods: The study included 49 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Rehabilitation was initiated after 4 weeks of immobilization. A total of 29 patients performed supervised exercise 3 times a week. Standardized education and brochures for review were provided to the remaining 20 patients who insisted on home rehabilitation. Statistical analysis was performed for comparing pain Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), SANE, and ROM. In addition, we also evaluated the correlation between pain and ROM. Results: Comparison of the two groups revealed no significant differences in forward flexion, internal rotation, abduction, and pain NRS. However, SANE at the 9th week (63.8 vs. 55.0, p=0.038) and improvement of external rotation from the 5th to the 9th week (17.6 vs. 9.3, p=0.018) were significantly higher in the supervised exercise group as compared to the home exercise group. Correlation of pain NRS with forward flexion, external rotation, internal rotation and abduction were statistically not significant (correlation coefficient=0.032 [p=0.828], -0.255 [p=0.077], 0.068 [p=0.642], and -0.188 [p=0.196], respectively). Conclusions: The supervised rehabilitation after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair showed better improvement in external rotation and higher SANE score after 4 weeks of rehabilitation exercise. However, no statistically significant correlation was observed between the recovery of ROM and short-term pain relief.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine clinical results for arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear using a suture bridge technique. Materials and Methods: Between November, 2007 and October, 2008, we evaluated 90 cases of arthroscopic middle, large rotator tear cuff repair. The mean follow-up period was 15 months (range, 12-23 months). Forty-three cases had medium-sized tears; 47 cases had large-sized tears. At the preoperative stage and again at last follow-up, functional results were assessed by the KSS, ASES, UCLA and the PVAS (Pain visual analogue score). Results: Pain score improved from 2.56 preoperatively to 0.96 at final follow-up; movement scores improved from 6.94 to 1.70. At. final follow-up, the average UCLA score improved from 17.08 to 31.17 with 31 excellent (34%), 49 good (54%) and 10 poor results (12%). The final UCLA score was 31.47 in the group less than 60 years of age and 30.69 in the group over 61 years of age (p=0.344). The UCLA score was 31.23 in those with medium-sized tears and 31.11 in those with large-sized tears (p=0.924). The UCLA score was 31.10 in non-trauma patients and 31.23 in trauma patients (p=0.929). Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear using a suture bridge technique can produce excellent clinical results. These outcomes are not affected by age or trauma history.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.36-36
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• 2006

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.95-101
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• 2001

RTC repair When safely possible Partial repair Gives complete function ASD and debridement In functional RCT Preservation of the coracoacromial arch

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

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2009

Purpose: This study evaluated the preoperative and postoperative radiologic findings of patients with complete repairs after massive rotator cuff tears along with the incidence of re-tear and the clinical outcomes. Materials and methods: This study evaluated 33 cases who had open complete repairs for massive rotator cuff tears and these patients were followed up for more than 24 months. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the shoulder joint function test of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and the degree of arthritis related to the massive rotator cuff tears was evaluated using the Hamada classification. Results: The ASES scores improved from 37.6 preoperatively to 85.6 postoperatively. The mean preoperative acromio-humeral interval (AHI) score was 6.5 mm, which increased to 9.3 mm immediately after surgery, and there was a decreased to 6.5 mm noted at the last follow up. The lower radiology stages of arthritis according to the classification showed better preoperative and postoperative results. Conclusion: An open complete repair as the surgical treatment for a massive rotator cuff tear showed satisfactory results for pain relief and an improvement in the shoulder joint function though re-tear after surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.222-228
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• 2011

Purpose: To compare the mid-term clinical results of arthroscopic and open repair for large to massive rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 48 patients who underwent either arthroscopic or open repair for large to massive rotator cuff tear. 28 patients underwent arthroscopic repair and 20 patients had open repair. The clinical outcome for the 2 groups was evaluated using range of motion, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain and function, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score and Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) score. Results: The range of motion, VAS for pain and function and ASES score was improved significantly in both groups at the final follow-up visit compared with preoperative values. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups statistically (p>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups statistically at the final follow-up KSS score (p>0.05) either. Conclusion: We could obtain improved mid-term clinical outcomes in both arthroscopic repair and open repair without any statistically significant differences between the two groups.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.197-205
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of minimal-tying (one medial-row tie among 4 medial-row sutures) on the medial-row in double-row suture-bridge configuration ($2{\times}2$ anchor with $4{\times}4$ suture stands). Methods: From 2011 March to 2012 July, 79 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using $2{\times}2$ anchor double-row configuration. The mean age was 61.3 years (range, 31-81 years). Two double-loaded suture anchors were used for medial-row. Four medial-row stitches were made with only one medial-row knot-tying (the most anterior suture). Lateral-row was secured using the conventional suture-bridge anchor technique; all 4 strands were used for each anchor. Repair integrity was evaluated with MRI at mean 6.2 months postoperatively. Retear and the pattern of retear, change of fatty infiltration, and muscle atrophy of supraspinatus were evaluated using pre- and postoperative MRI. Results: Repaired tendon integrity was 38 for type I, 30 for type II, 6 for type III, 4 for type IV, and 1 for type V, according to Sugaya classification. Considering type IV/V as retear, the rate was 6.3% (5 out of 79 patients). Medial cuff failure was observed in 4 patients. Fatty atrophy of supraspinatus was significantly improved postoperatively according to Goutallier grading (p=0.01). The level of muscle atrophy of supraspinatus was not changed significantly after surgery. Conclusions: Minimal tying technique with suture configuration of four-by-four strand double-row suture-bridge yielded a lower retear rate (6.3%) in medium to large rotator cuff tears.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare the outcome of patients who underwent rotator cuff repair using all-arthroscopic mini-open repair techniques. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients who underwent either arthroscopic (group I) or mini-open (group II) rotator cuff repair. 23 patients underwent an arthroscopic repair and 21 patients had a mini-open repair. The mean age was 50.4 years in the arthroscopic group and 56.7 years in the mini-open group. The outcomes for the 2 groups were evaluated using ROM, VAS, ASES, UCLA scale. Statistical analysis was performed using correlations, T-test, Paired T-test. The mean follow-up period in the arthroscopic and mini-open groups were 24.1months and 26.1months, respectively. Results: The group I (arthroscopic group) had 2 small-sized tears, 10 medium sized tears, and 11 large sized tears (3~5 cm). The group II (mini-open group) had 1 small sized tears, 8 medium sized tears, and 12 large sized tears. The mean cuff tear size of the group I and Group II were 3.8 cm and 4.2 cm, respectively. At last follow-up periods, ROM and functional scores were improved. In the group I and group II, there were no significant difference in ROM, VAS, ASES, UCLA score. Conclusion: The size of the tear did not produce different results at arthroscopic repair group but larger tear size was associated with a worse outcome in mini-open group. There were no significant clinical results between the arthroscopic and mini-open group.