• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2004

Purpose: To identify associated findings in glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff tear and evaluate its clinical significance, we examined minor and major changes during arthroscopic or mini open repair. Materials & Methods: We reviewed 66 patients of rotator cuff tear treated from March, 2001 to January, 2004. Of 38 cases of small to medium tear, average age was 53 years old and involved in dominant arm in 27 cases. Of 28 cases of large to massive tear, average age was 58 years old and involved in dominant arm in 26 cases. Minor and major associated changes of the glenohumeral joint were evaluated in the tendon of biceps long head, biceps pulley, cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head, labrum and synovium. Results: Minor changes in biceps tendon were in 35% of cases, biceps pulley in 18%, cartilage of humeral head in 27%, cartilage of glenoid in 18%, labrum in 38%, and synovium in 42%. Major changes in biceps tendon were in 6% of cases, biceps pulley in 35%, arthritis of humeral head in 3%, arthritis of glenoid in 2%, labrum in 6%, and synovium in 21 %. Major changes in biceps tendon were 5% in Group I and 7% in Group Ⅱ(p>0.05) and in biceps pulley, 18% and 57% in each (P<0.05). Minor changes of arthritis were prevalent in glenoid cartilage and major changes were more prevalent in humeral head. There were no differences in minor changes of labrum and synovium, but major changes were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ. Conclusion: The prevalence of intraarticular associated changes of rotator cuff tear were 63% in synovium, 54% in labrum, 53% in biceps pulley, 41% in biceps tendon, 30% in humeral head and 20% in glenoid cartilage in order. Major changes of biceps pulley, humeral head, labrum and synovium were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2023

A 53-year-old woman with right shoulder pain after falling down presented at our outpatient department after conventional treatment that had little effect. She was treated with integrative Korean Medicine treatment as an outpatient from February 2, 2022 to July 4, 2022. Based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings, the patient was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff tear. With 39 treatment sessions, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score decreased and showed improvement in assessment. On May 6, MRI was retaken to show restoration of the supraspinatus tendon tear. The patient felt almost no pain on July 4, declaring the end of treatment. This successful case suggests that integrative Korean Medicine treatment might be an attractive alternative for severe rotator cuff tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2023

Background: Massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are complicated by muscle atrophy, fibrosis, and intramuscular fatty degeneration, which are associated with postoperative tendon-to-bone healing failure and poor clinical outcomes. We evaluated muscle and enthesis changes in large tears with or without suprascapular nerve (SN) injury in a rat model. Methods: Sixty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into SN injury (+) and SN injury (-) groups (n=31 each), comprising tendon (supraspinatus [SSP]/infraspinatus [ISP]) and nerve resection and tendon resection only cases, respectively. Muscle weight measurement, histological evaluation, and biomechanical testing were performed 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Ultrastructural analysis with block face imaging was performed 8 weeks postoperatively. Results: SSP/ISP muscles in the SN injury (+) group appeared atrophic, with increased fatty tissue and decreased muscle weight, compared to those in the control and SN injury (-) groups. Immunoreactivity was only positive in the SN injury (+) group. Myofibril arrangement irregularity and mitochondrial swelling severity, along with number of fatty cells, were higher in the SN injury (+) group than in the SN injury (-) group. The bone-tendon junction enthesis was firm in the SN injury (-) group; this was atrophic and thinner in the SN injury (+) group, with decreased cell density and immature fibrocartilage. Mechanically, the tendon-bone insertion was significantly weaker in the SN injury (+) group than in the control and SN injury (+) groups. Conclusions: In clinical settings, SN injury may cause severe fatty changes and inhibition of postoperative tendon healing in large RCTs. Level of evidence: Level Basic research, controlled laboratory study.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2004

Shoulder impingement syndrome is cause by the collision of acromion, acrominoclaviclar joint, coracoacromino ligament, coracoid process and synovial sac, biceps brachiialis tendon, rotator cuff muscle. Treatment for Shoulder impingement syndrome is genetally classified into two different methods; preservative method and operational method. Operational method includes rotator cuff sutura, anterior acromioplasty, arthroscope decompression. Preservative method includes rest, medicinal therapy, physical therapy. Physical therapy concentrates on pain control, functional recovery and prevention of disease progress. It is also important for physical therapy to maintain the strength of rotator cuff. Strengthening rotator cuff decreases the collision and helps the stability of shoulder joint. In conclusion, it must be aware that shoulder impingement syndrome and some other shoulder problem demand different treatment, which results in a better outcome.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2021

Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears cause pain, loss of function, and a decrease in range of motion, which cause serious disturbances in daily life. Young patients, in particular, are active and have relatively high functional requirements, and their surgical options are limited. Superior capsular reconstruction (SCR) was first proposed for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, good clinical results have been reported in short-term follow up. Since then, SCR has been used increasingly worldwide for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears, and various studies have been published on clinical outcomes, biomechanical outcomes, surgical techniques, and graft types. This article reviews the optimal graft and surgical options for improving clinical outcomes in SCR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.6
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• pp.1388-1401
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• 2021

Postoperative imaging of the rotator cuff may be performed routinely, even if pain or disability develops after surgery or if there are no symptoms. Postoperative images are obtained through MRI or US, and the purpose is to confirm the integrity of the restored tendon in general. Postoperative MRI has a relatively poor diagnostic accuracy compared to that of preoperative images because various materials used in surgeries deteriorate the image quality. US can dynamically check the condition of the restored tendon and avoid artifacts from the surgical instruments used for recovery. Although imaging findings are not always consistent with the clinical symptoms or prognosis, sub-deltoid fluid retention is more important for pain and functional recovery than the thickness of the reconstructed tendon. Strain elastography can also be a useful method for predicting the prognosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2007

Anatomy: The rotator cuff comprises four muscles-the subscapularis, the supraspinatus, the infraspinatus and the teres minor-and their musculotendinous attachments. The subscapularis muscle is innervated by the subscapular nerve and originates on the scapula. It inserts on the lesser tuberosity of the humerus. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus are both innervated by the suprascapular nerve, originate in the scapula and insert on the greater tuberosity. The teres minor is innervated by the axillary nerve, originates on the scapula and inserts on the greater tuberosity. The subacromial space lies underneath the acromion, the coracoid process, the acromioclavicular joint and the coracoacromial ligament. A bursa in the subacromial space provides lubrication for the rotator cuff. Etiology: The space between the undersurface of the acromion and the superior aspect of the humeral head is called the impingement interval. This space is normally narrow and is maximally narrow when the arm is abducted. Any condition that further narrows this space can cause impingement. Impingement can result from extrinsic compression or from loss of competency of the rotator cuff. Syndrome: Neer divided impingement syndrome into three stages. Stage I involves edema and/or hemorrhage. This stage generally occurs in patients less than 25 years of age and is frequently associated with an overuse injury. Generally, at this stage the syndrome is reversible. Stage II is more advanced and tends to occur in patients 25 to 40 years of age. The pathologic changes that are now evident show fibrosis as well as irreversible tendon changes. Stage III generally occurs in patients over 50 years of age and frequently involves a tendon rupture or tear. Stage III is largely a process of attrition and the culmination of fibrosis and tendinosis that have been present for many years. Treatment: In patients with stage I impingement, conservative treatment is often sufficient. Conservative treatment involves resting and stopping the offending activity. It may also involve prolonged physical therapy. Sport and job modifications may be beneficial. Nonsteroidal anti - inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS) and ice treatments can relieve pain. Ice packs applied for 20 minutes three times a day may help. A sling is never used, because adhesive capsulitis can result from immobilization.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2014

Background: To compare the effect of different starting periods of rehabilitative exercise (early or delayed passive exercise) on the rate of retear and other clinical outcomes after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods: In total, 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff were included in the study. Determined at 2 weeks post-operation, patients who were incapable of passive forward elevation greater than $90^{\circ}$ were allotted to the early exercise group (group I: 79 patients; 42 males, 37 females), whilst those capable were allotted to the delayed exercise group (group II: 24 patients; 14 males, 10 females). The group I started passive exercise, i.e. stretching, within 2 weeks of operation, whilst group II started within 6 weeks. The results were compared on average 15.8 months (11-49 months) post-operation using the passive range of motion, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Constant scores. Stiffness was defined as passive forward elevation or external rotation of less than $30^{\circ}C$ compared to the contralateral side. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on average 1 year post-operation and the rate of retear was compared with Sugaya's criteria. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in gender, age, smoking, presence of diabetes, arm dominance, period of tear unattended, pre-operative range of motion, shape and size of tear, degree of tendon retraction, and tendon quality. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes. Whilst stiffness was more frequent in group II (p-value 0.03), retear was more frequent in group I (p-value 0.028) according to the MRI follow-up. Conclusions: During rehabilitation after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff, the delay of passive exercise seems to decrease the rate of retear but increase the risk of stiffness.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.162-162
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• 2008

Many anomalous origins of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) have been reported. However, developmental anomalies of the LHBT are rarely encountered in daily practice. We report a patient with an anomalous LHBT that was adherent to and confluent with the rotator cuff throughout its intra-articular course and present the clinical, magnetic resonance arthrography, and arthroscopic findings.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Radiological Science
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• 1992.10a
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• pp.117-118
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• 1992