• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.84-89
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the results of arthroscopic bridging repair using a human dermis allograft in the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Methods: From November 2009 to April 2011, 12 patients underwent arthroscopic bridging repair using a human dermis allograft in the treatment of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears. Patients were followed for an average of 33.9 months. Clinical outcome was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively using the mean University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score and the Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed postoperatively at an average of 6.5 months. Results: At a mean follow-up of 33.9 months (range, 25 to 42 months), 11 out of 12 patients were satisfied with their procedure. Patients showed significant improvement in their mean modified UCLA score from 15.9 preoperatively to 29.4 postoperatively (p=0.001). The mean KSS score improved from 45.6 preoperatively to 80.5 postoperatively (p=0.002). In MRI studies, 9 out of 12 patients had full incorporation of the graft into the native rotator cuff remnant. To date, there has been no intraoperative or postoperative complication from the graft procedure, such as infection or allograft rejection, in any patient. Conclusions: Arthroscopic bridging repair using a human dermis allograft can be considered as an option in treatment of select cases of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears, resulting in high patient satisfaction.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2004

It has been reported that rotator cuff tear have good response to arthroscopic or open repair even if the range being so wide. However, the majority of this literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of tear focused on lesion of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. But involvement of the subscapularis tendon with rotator cuff tear should be thought to be less common and poorer to open operative repair. Furthermore, some europian author have stated that the rotator cuff tear including the subscapularis tendon are sufficiently distinct in their clinical presentation and prognosis as to merit separate consideration of their diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate result of arthroscopic or open repair in patient with rotator cuff tear that include the subscapularis tendon. Of the 128 rotator cuff repairs performed from 1998 through 2003, 12 had a tear that include the subscapularis tendon in combination with the supraspinatus (8 cases) and infraspinatus (4 cases). Mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 6 months (range 3 to 12 months). All 12 patient demonstrated a positive lift off sign. Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant- Murley score, which ranges from 30 to 58. Pain was assessed using a linear visual analogue scale range from 0 to 10. Postoperative Constant score range from 40 to 64 (average 47.8). Pain score improved from 5.5 to 8.5, but there are postoperative pain improvement on nothing in 5 patient. The overall result for 12 patient were satisfy in 2, fair in 5 and dissatisfy in 5: Therefore satisfactory result were noted only in 16 % of this overall group. In conclusion, we have failed to make good result in patient with rotator cuff tear that included the subscapularis tendon. At the result, outcome after surgical repair of this type of rotator tear is comparatively inferior to the result of operative repair of rotator cuff not involved the subscapularis tendon.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2006

Purpose: To investigate early complications after repair of massive rotator cuff tears and to find out factors that compromise the results. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who had two or more cuff tendons involved were included. All patients were operated by open acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. At 3 months after operation, we investigated whether there were any early complications or not. We used ASES scoring system for preoperative and follow up evaluation. In addition, various preoperative factors, such as duration of symptom, degree of tendon retraction, degree of fatty degeneration, and acromio-humeral distance, were compared between the complicated patients and non-complicated patients. Results: At 3 months after operation, the ASES score and pain were improved in any degree in all patients. But 5 patients complained persisting pain, and three of them showed major complications such as re-rupture of rotator cuff or deltoid rupture. But no preoperative factors in complicated patients were significantly different from those in non-complicated patients. Conclusion: None of the preoperative factors were related to the complications. There was a tendency of overestimation of fatty degeneration in MRI. Some factors in surgical technique and rehabilitation were highly suspected to be related to the complications.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2003

Purpose: To compare the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression in partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) with those in full thickness rotator cuff tear (FTRCT). Subjects and method: Of the 46 patients who were rested of the rotator cuff tear based on the operational findings, 42 patients who were able to receive a serial follow-up for 2 years were selected as the study subjects. The average age of the patients at the time of the operation was 55 years, and the mean duration of the follow-up was 34 months. The subjects included 22 cases of PTRCT and 20 cases of FTRCT. In terms of rotator cuff repair, the average number of tendon to tendon repair (TTR) was 1 in both PTRCT and FTRCT, and that of tendon to bone repair (TBR) was 1 and 3 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The average number of use of suture anchor was 1 and 2 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The level of shoulder pain and function of the subjects were measured using shoulder functional evaluation score of American shoulder and elbow society (ASES score) at before and 2 years following the operation. Results: At the final follow-up following the operation, PTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.2 to 0.9 on average pain score and 34 to 91 on ASES score, whereas FTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.6 to 1.2 on pain score and 29 to 88 on ASES score. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The average range of motion of shoulder significantly increased in both groups at the final follow-up in comparison with the pre-operative time point. The evaluation at the final follow-up showed that 93% of the total subjects showed good or excellent results, and 95％ showed satisfactory results from the procedure with regard to pain reduction and functional outcomes. Two cases of the 3 fair results were caused by acromioclavicular arthritis. Conclusion: It may be anticipated that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression may bring satisfactory post-operative outcomes in both PTRCT and FTRCT on pain relief and functional recovery. However, careful preoperative examination of the acromioclavicular joint is critical to avoid failures of these procedures.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.167-174
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• 2010

Purpose: Anatomical repair of massive rotator cuff tear has been technically challenging because of medial retraction, muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration. Among several treatment options for massive rotator cuff tear, we reviewed rotator cuff repairs and investigated modalities for improvement of clinical outcomes, decreasing the re-tear rate, and increasing healing. Materials and Methods: Patient-related factors and rotator cuff-related factors were the two major groups of factors we considered when choosing a treatment plan. Results: Mobilization of a massive rotator cuff tear was increased by soft tissue release and by the interval slide technique. After meticulous soft tissue release, anatomical repair could be achieved. If the injury was not amenable to anatomical repair, alternative treatment options such as partial repair, the margin convergence technique and augmentation with a tenotomized biceps tendon were considered. Many reports of massive rotator cuff repair demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcomes, decreased pain, recovery of shoulder functions, and increases in muscle strength. However, the re-tear rate had been reported to be relatively high in long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Despite a high re-tear rate after massive rotator cuff repair, a better understanding of the pathogenesis, progression and clinical symptoms of massive rotator cuff tear and improved surgical materials and techniques will lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.64-69
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• 2020

Ultrasound (US) imaging is an efficient, easy to use, rapid, dynamic, noninvasive, with rare side-effects and inexpensive tool allowing for facilitated diagnosis and management of the painful shoulder. It also has advantages over other imaging modalities in the evaluation of the postoperative shoulder for rotator cuff integrity and correct anchor and suture placement, as well as rotator cuff analysis following repair surgery. Early postoperative tendons frequently had a hypo- echoic echo texture and the absence of a fibrillar pattern, which might be misinterpreted as recurrent tears. however, these features often normalized into tendons with an increased echo texture and the reappearance of a fibrillar pattern at 6 months. Based on these sequential findings, the US findings within 3 months after surgery should be interpreted with caution to accurately understand and monitor the repaired tendon status.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2022

Rotator cuff tear is the most common cause of shoulder pain in middle-age and older people. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is the most common treatment method for rotator cuff tear. Early postoperative pain after ARCR is the primary concern for surgeons and patients and can affect postoperative rehabilitation, satisfaction, recovery, and hospital day. There are numerous methods for controlling postoperative pain including patient-controlled analgesia, opioid, interscalene block, and local anesthesia. Regional blocks including interscalene nerve block, suprascapular nerve block, and axillary nerve block have been successfully and commonly used. There is no difference between interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) and suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) in pain control and opioid consumption. However, SSNB has fewer complications and can be more easily applied than ISB. Combination of axillary nerve block with SSNB has a stronger analgesic effect than SSNB alone. These regional blocks can be helpful for postoperative pain control within 48 hours after ARCR surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the integrity of repair & technical tip in use of Massive Cuff Stitch at arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: Twenthy-nine cases of arthroscopically repaired full thickness tear of rotator cuffs which are medium sized were evaluated. Between December 2004 to September 2005 we have studied, the average age 53($42{\sim}69$) years old, mean follow-up was 15($12{\sim}21$) months. We analyzed the results statistically by paired t-test. The integrity of repair were verified by follow up MRI which were checked 11 cases and ultrasound which were checked 10 cases. Results: VAS of pain improved preoperative average 7.1 to postoperative 0.9, ADL improved 11.2 to 25.6 respectively, UCLA improved 13.7 to 32.9(all, P<0.05). 89.7% showed excellent & good results at the final follow-up. The satisfied rate was 93.1%(27 cases). There was re-rupture of the repaired rotator cuff in one case out of 11 cases which were checked by MRI, and in one case out of 10 cases which were checked by ultrasound, and there was one case of thinning of cuff which were checked by ultrasound. Conclusion: The use of Massive Cuff Stitch in arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear have been reduced technical failure. It will be good surgical technique which maintain the integrity of repairs.

• 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.22 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 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.