• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.195-202
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• 2019

Background: This study investigates the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in preventing deltoid atrophy during the first 12 weeks after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Eighteen patients undergoing arthroscopic repair of a medium-sized rotator cuff tear by a single surgeon, were randomized into two groups: NMES and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Each group used the respective device for 6 weeks after surgery. Pain was measured at baseline, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively, using the visual analogue scale (VAS); range of motion (ROM), abduction strength and functional scores were measured at baseline and 12 weeks postoperatively. Deltoid thickness and cross-sectional areas were measured using magnetic resonance imaging at 12 weeks postoperatively. Results: At 12 weeks post-surgery, no statistically significant difference was observed between the NMES and TENS groups in the pain VAS, the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, ROM, and abduction strength. Postoperative decrease in the thickness of the anterior, middle, and posterior deltoid, at the level just below the coracoid, was -2.5%, -0.7%, and -6.8%, respectively, in the NMES group, and -14.0%, -2.6%, and -8.2%, respectively, in the TENS group (p=0.016, p=0.677, and p=0.791, respectively). At the level of the inferior glenoid tubercle, postoperative decrease in area of the deltoid was -5.4% in the NMES group and -14.0% in the TENS group, which was significantly different (p=0.045). Conclusions: NMES has the potential for reducing deltoid atrophy after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, suggesting that NMES might help minimize postoperative atrophy after various shoulder surgeries.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.172-179
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the functional and structural results of arthroscopic double-row repair using combined knot-tying and knotless suture anchors in rotator cuff tears. Materials and Methods: From March 2006 to June 2007, twenty-one patients (15 males, 6 females; mean age 55.6 years; range 48 to 67) were included who underwent arthroscopic double-row repair for full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff following conservative treatment for a mean of 6.5 months (range 3 to 11). The tear size was carefully inspected arthroscopically and we found 2 small, 13 medium and 6 large-sized rotator cuff tears, with a mean tear size of 2.5cm(range 1.8 to 3.2). The repair constructs were consisted of horizontal mattress sutures using conventional knot-tying suture anchors medially and simple suture at the same level of medial row stitch with Bioknotless RC anchors (DePuy Mitek, Norwood, MA) as lateral row. Clinical and functional evaluations were made according to the range of motion, the ASES, UCLA scale and the isokinetic strength testing. Postoperative cuff integrity was determined through magnetic resonance imaging. The mean follow-up was 15 months (range 13 to 24). Results: The average clinical outcome scores and strength were all improved significantly at the time of the final follow-up (p < 0.01). Nineteen patients (90%) were satisfied with the result of the treatment. In 17 of 21 patients (81%) were judged to reveal healed tendon on magnetic resonance imaging at a mean of 7 months postoperatively. There were no significant functional differences according to the preoperative tear size (p<0.01), but large-sized tear shows less favorable structural results in 3 out of 6 cases(50%). Conclusion: Our results document the usefulness and variability of arthroscopic double-row rotator cuff repairs comparable to the results of the other types of double-row repairs.