• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears are many techniques that have been developed to improve the initial postoperative strength of the repair. There was a doubt that current arthroscopic cuff repairs using a single row of suture anchors reproduce insufficient area of the anatomic cuff insertion, and concerns about failure of fixation often lead surgeons to limit early motion. Newer technique of double-row repair in arthroscopic treatment may provide initial stronger fixation and more contact with bone at the repair site than single-row repair did. We studied the comparison between clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single- and double-row repair in cuff tears at 1year postoperatively. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 shoulders with single-row repair and 38 shoulders with double-row repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and October 2004. Out of total 78 shoulders, 42 (54%) were male patients and 36 (46%) were female patients and the mean age at surgery was 56 years. All patients were diagnosed by physical examination and MRI. At 1year' follow-up after operation, we evaluated with the ASES and the Constant scoring system, and measured muscle power of abduction, internal and external rotation of the affected shoulder then compared with each other. Results: Mean ASES scores and Constant scores in double-row repair group improved more than single-row repair group significantly at 1year postoperatively. Muscle power of abduction and internal rotation, especially abduction power, improved more significantly in double-row repair group than in single-row repair. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair for the full thickness rotator cuff tear may be a superior technique, which showed better clinical outcomes and restoration of muscle power compared with single-row repair at relatively short period of postoperative follow-up. Restoration of footprint close to normal anatomy by double-row repair seems to play an important role in the recovery of muscle strength.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2023

Background: This study evaluated the clinical and radiologic outcomes of onlay patch augmentation in rotator cuff repair for moderate-to-large tears in elderly patients. Methods: We reviewed 24 patients who underwent onlay augmentation with dermal allograft after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from January 2017 to March 2020. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >65 years with tears >2.5 cm, who were followed for >12 months after surgery, and patients who could raise their arms above 90° preoperatively. American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant-Murley score, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and VAS for satisfaction were used as clinical outcomes. For the evaluation of cuff integrity, magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed every 3 months after surgery. The results were compared before and after surgery in all patients and between the retear and intact groups. Results: The average follow-up period was 16.38 months, and the mean age of patients was 71.05 years. All patients showed significant improvement in ASES score, Constant-Murley score, and pain VAS at the last evaluation. The average value of satisfaction VAS was 7.27/10. The retear rate was 25% (6/24) if Sugaya type 3 was categorized in the retear group, otherwise 16.7% (4/24), if Sugaya type 3 was categorized into the intact group. Irrespective of Sugaya type 3 being included in the retear group, there was no significant difference in outcome variables between the intact and retear groups during follow-up. Conclusions: In moderate-to-large rotator cuff tear in elderly patients, onlay patch augmentation improved clinical outcomes. Retear did not adversely affect clinical outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.195-201
• /
• 2022

Background: This study aimed to examine the preliminary clinical results of the infraspinatus rotational transfer procedure for irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. Methods: This study included 34 patients (mean age, 68.4 years). Their mean tear width and length measurements were 50.9 mm and 50.6 mm, respectively. The functional outcomes, including physician-determined and patient-reported scores, were evaluated before and at 1 year after surgery. The structural outcomes determined using the magnetic resonance imaging examination results were also assessed. Results: The clinical scores significantly improved after surgery compared with the scores before surgery: the Constant-Murley score (53.3±21.1 to 76.8±10.5), University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder score (15.6±3.6 to 27.8±6.7), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (51.8±18.3 to 89.1±13.5), and WORC score (925.0±436.8 to 480.3±373.2) (all p<0.001). Postoperative re-tears were noted in two patients (5.9%). Conclusions: One year postoperatively, the patient's clinical scores significantly improved, with a re-tear rate of 5.9%.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 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
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.109-114
• /
• 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.

• 대한정형외과스포츠의학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2006.09a
• /
• pp.57-57
• /
• 2006

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.21-26
• /
• 2021

Background: To evaluate the demographics, clinical and radiographic features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in the Korean population, specifically focusing on the incidence of coexisting rotator cuff tear. Methods: Between October 2014 and January 2015, we performed a prospective multicenter study with 506 patients from 11 training hospitals in Korea. We collected data of demographics and radiographic analysis based on simple radiographs, clinical assessments based on visual analog scale (VAS) and the American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and treatment modalities that are used currently. We also evaluated coexisting rotator cuff tear by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Results: There were 402 female patients (79%) with mean age of 55 years (range, 31-87 years). Mean duration of symptoms was 16 months. Mean size of calcific materials was 11.4 mm (range, 0-35 mm). Mean value of VAS and ASES scores were 6.5 (range, 1-10) and 47 (range, 8-95), respectively. Of 383 patients (76%), 59 (15%) had rotator cuff tear including 15 full-thickness tears on US or MRI. Patients with rotator cuff tears were significantly associated with older age, recurrent symptoms, menstrual disorders in females, and having undergone calcification removal surgery and rotator cuff repair (all p<0.05). Conclusions: This study reported demographic, radiographic, and clinical features of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder in Korean population, which were not different from those of Western population. Coexisting rotator cuff tear was found with 15% incidence in this large series, suggesting that further radiographic study to evaluate rotator cuff tear might be needed in some calcific tendinitis patients of older age and presenting with recurrent symptoms.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.254-260
• /
• 2015

With the advancement of shoulder arthroscopy, use of biodegradable suture anchors in the surgical repair of rotator cuff tears has increased. Because of the radiolucency of these anchors, radiography is not appropriate for early detection of anchor failure. Ultrasonography is an advantageous modality in visualizing biodegradable, radiolucent anchors on a real-time basis without risk of radiation exposure. We report on two cases of displacement of a biodegradable suture anchor diagnosed on ultrasonography during the postoperative follow- up, which has not been previously reported. Because this displacement could be missed in the postoperative follow up ultrasonography, we describe the ultrasonographic features of the displaced biodegradable anchors. Surgeons and radiologists should pay special attention to the possibility of displacement of the suture anchor in patients who underwent rotator cuff repairs using suture anchors.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.9-13
• /
• 2005

An isolated tear of the subscapularis is uncommon, and there are a few literatures regarding the treatment of this problem. But, the incidence has increased with development of the arthroscopic techniques. An all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a challenging procedure that can be effectively performed for treatment of subscapularis tendon tears. Often, tears of the subscapularis tendon do not involve entire tendon, and retraction of the torn edge is within to 2 cm of its attachment site. Occasionally, the entire tendon is torn and retracted medially to the glenoid. This article outlines the examination, preoperative planning and details the steps necessary to perform this procedure on upper third of subscapularis tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears pose a distinct clinical challenge for the orthopaedist and non-surgical treatment has had inconsistent results and proven unsuccessful for chronic symptoms, while surgery, including debridement and partial and complete repairs have had varying degrees of success. Materials and Methods: For rotator cuff tears that are deemed irreparable, treatment options are limited. Results and Conclusion: The use of tendon transfers (latissimus dorsi for posterosuperior type cuff defects and pectoralis major for subscapularis defects) in younger patients to reconstruct rotator cuffs and re-establish function and restore shoulder kinematics can be useful in solving this difficult problem.