• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and associated repair integrity in patients treated with arthroscopic repair for a transtendinous rotator cuff tear followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon. Methods: Between July 2007 and July 2011, we retrospectively reviewed patients who were treated for transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff by arthroscopic repair. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Constant-Murley score, a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and range of motion (ROM). The repair integrity was determined by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. Results: There were 19 shoulders with transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff. The ASES, UCLA, Constant-Murley, and VAS pain scores showed significant improvements in function and symptoms (all p<0.001). The active ROM for forward flexion and abduction was also significantly improved (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative radiological examination showed cuff integrity without a re-tear in 68.4% of patients. However, the UCLA, ASES, and Constant-Murley scores were not significantly different between healed and re-torn group (p=0.530, p=0.885, and p=0.262, respectively). Conclusions: Although repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon in the footprint has a relatively high re-tear rate, no significant difference was observed in the short-term clinical results between the re-tear and healed groups.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2015

Iatrogenic damage of the rotator cuff followed by postoperative shoulder function loss is a potential complication after antegrade intramedullary nailing (AIN) for a humeral fracture. The authors present a case of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression of a non-healed rotator cuff tendon (mainly supraspinatus) and secondary impingement syndrome caused either by the tear or a proud nail after AIN for a mid-shaft humeral fracture. At presentation, the patient complained of right shoulder pain and 'snapping', especially during forward elevation and abduction of the shoulder, of 4 years duration. Right shoulder pain started sometime after pain due to the humeral shaft fracture, operation had subsided, and persisted after nail removal. Arthroscopic findings showed a longitudinal rotator cuff tear at the nail entry point that had not healed and severe fibrous hypertrophy on the acromion underspace, which is a unique finding since most longitudinal splits of tendon fibers are more likely to heal than conventional rotator cuff tears detached from bone. The torn rotator cuff was repaired after debridement and placing side-to-side sutures. At his 34-month follow-up after rotator cuff repair, the patient showed complete recovery and had excellent clinical scores.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

The arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is now considered a mainstream technique with highly satisfactory clinical results. However, concerns remain regarding healing failures for large and massive tears and high revision rate. In recent decades, various repair strategies and construct configurations have been developed for rotator cuff repair with the understanding that many factors contribute to the structural integrity of the repaired construct. The focus of biomechanical test in arthroscopic repair has been on increasing fixation strength and restoration of the footprint contact characteristics to provide early rehabilitation and improve healing. These include repaired rotator cuff tendon-footprint motion, increased tendon-footprint contact area and pressure, and tissue quality of tendon and bone. Recent studies have shown that a transosseous tunnel technique provides improved contact area and pressure between rotator cuff tendon and insertion footprint, and the technique of using double rows of suture anchors to recreate the native footprint attachment has been recently described. The transosseous equivalent suture bridge technique has the highest contact pressure and fixation force. In this review, the biomechanical tests about repair techniques of rotator cuff tear will be reviewed and discussed.

• 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.22 no.3
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• pp.128-134
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• 2019

Background: Patients with rotator cuff tears are usually afflicted with shoulder pain and disability. However, it is unclear which factors are related to shoulder pain in patients with rotator cuff tears. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the factors correlated with shoulder pain in patients with painful rotator cuff tears, but without any history of trauma. Methods: We evaluated a cohort of 745 patients with painful rotator cuff tears having no trauma history, and analyzed the relationship between pain and multiple factors including demographic data, tear characteristics, and passive range of motion. Pain was analyzed with a questionnaire concerning the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Tear characteristics were determined by evaluating tear size, muscle atrophy, number of torn tendons, and presence of arthritis. Multivariate linear regression analysis and chi-squared test were applied to evaluate the relationship between the VAS for pain and variable factors. Results: Shoulder pain was associated with young age (p=0.01), male sex (p=0.01) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (p<0.001). Measurements of rotator cuff tear characteristics including tear size (p=0.53), muscle atrophy (p=0.16) and the number of torn tendons (p=0.34) did not correlate with shoulder pain. Symptom duration (p=0.60) and range of motion (p>0.05) also showed no correlation with VAS for pain. Conclusions: Young age, male sex and the presence of diabetes mellitus correlated positively with preoperative shoulder pain in patients with painful rotator cuff tears without a trauma history. Combined treatment of pain management and risk factor correction could be helpful to control preoperative shoulder pain.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.132-140
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• 2010

Purpose: Surgical treatment of massive rotator cuff tear is challenging and there are various surgical options. The purpose of this article is to describe arthroplasty for the treatment of massive rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: We reviewed all publications that focused on and/or mentioned arthroplasty as a treatment option for massive rotator cuff tear. Results: Arthroplasty can be used as primary treatment and represents a salvage option for irreparable rotator cuff tear. Hemi-arthroplasty can provide satisfactory results by Neer's limited goals criteria in patients with intact coracoacromial arch. In addition, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty can be a salvage option for pain relief and restoration of active flexion in elderly patients with pseudoparalysis. Conclusion: In patients with massive rotator cuff tear, proper selection of arthroplasty can provide pain relief and restoration of functional range of motion in shoulder joints.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.125-130
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• 2020

Background: To determine the prevalence of rotator cuff diseases in a population older than 40 years in or nearby Chuncheon city, Republic of Korea. Methods: Sixty shoulders of 30 people older than 40 years who participated in a health lecture were examined for free by an orthopedic surgeon. Visual analog scale of pain and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores were assigned, and routine physical examination was performed. Ultrasonography was performed on the shoulder. Results: On ultrasonographic examination, there were one shoulder with full thickness rotator cuff tear, 20 of 60 (33%) with partial thickness rotator cuff tear, five of 60 (8%) with calcific tendinitis, one of 60 (2%) with tear of the long head of the biceps, and five of 60 (8%) with tendinitis of the long head of the biceps. Participants older than 60 years showed significantly high proportions of lesion of the long head of the biceps and rotator cuff diseases (P=0.019 and P=0.015, respectively). Participants who performed physical labor had high proportions of rotator cuff tear and rotator cuff disease (P=0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Rotator cuff diseases showed a high prevalence in aged persons and resulted in a decrease in shoulder function.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.228-240
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• 2019

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the T2 value of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff disease displayed on 3.0T MRI and to apply it in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: This study involved sixty-two patients who underwent shoulder MRI containing T2 mapping. The mean T2 value was measured by placing a free hand ROI over the glenoid or humeral cartilage from the bone-cartilage interface to the articular surface on three consecutive, oblique coronal images. The drawn ROI was subsequently divided into superior and inferior segments. The assessed mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenohumeral joint were compared and evaluated based on the degree of rotator cuff tear, the degree of fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff, and the acromiohumeral distance. Results: ICC values between two readers indicated moderate or good reproducibility. The mean T2 value for the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head cartilage failed to show any significant difference based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, the mean T2 values of articular cartilage, based on fatty atrophy, tended to be higher in fatty atrophy 3 or fatty atrophy 4 groups while some subregions displayed significantly higher mean T2 values. There was no correlation between the acromiohumeral distance and the mean T2 values of the articular cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head. Conclusion: T2 mapping of the glenohumeral joint failed to show any significant difference in quantitative analysis of the degenerative change of the articular cartilage based on the degree of rotator cuff tear. However, it also offers quantitative information on the degenerative change of cartilage of the glenohumeral joint in patients with rotator cuff tear and severe fatty atrophy of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2008

The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears and the progression of asymptomatic tears to symptomatic tears are yet unclear and much controversy. It is likely to involve a number of factors such as a genetic predisposition, extrinsic impingement from structures surrounding the cuff and intrinsic degeneration from changes within the tendon itself. Degenerative changes in the rotator cuff with aging seem to be related to the anatomic and mechanical environment of the rotator cuff. The histopathologic appearance of rotator cuff tendon rupture specimens demonstrates a consequence of degenerative changes at the site of tendon insertion into bone. It weakens the tensile strength of the tendon. Is the process of degeneration intrinsic or extrinsic in nature? I suggest that degeneration is intrinsic and not caused by extrinsic factors. Even though, rotator cuff tear may be secondary to multiple factors, I believe that primary cause of rotator cuff tears is preexisting degenerative change.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 2015

Background: This study measured the rate of adrenal insufficiency among rotator cuff tear patients, and determined the roles of steroid treatment and herbal medicine as specific risk factors of adrenal insufficiency. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the 53 patients who agreed to participate in the study and underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to a chronic full-thickness tear from March 2012 to September 2013. The diagnosis of adrenal insufficieny was made by rapid adrenocortical hormone test before the operation. We collected information regarding their history of steroid and herbal medicine treatment within the last 12 months. Results: The rate of adrenal insufficiency among the rotator cuff tear patients in our study was 18.9% (10 of 53 patients). Steroid treatment (p=0.034), frequency of local steroid injection (p=0.008), and herbal medicine treatment (p=0.02) showed significant association with the risk of adrenal insufficiency. Conclusions: In this study, careful taking of a patient's medical history, such as the use of steroids and herbal medicine, is important when investigating adrenal function before surgery.