• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.229-239
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• 2018

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance in detecting rotator cuff tears at 3T of non-arthrographic shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using 3D isotropic turbo spin-echo (TSE-SPACE) sequence as compared with 2D sequences. Materials and Methods: Seventy-four patients who were arthroscopically confirmed to have underwent non-arthrographic shoulder MRI with 2D sequences and TSE-SPACE were included. Three independent readers retrospectively scored supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon (SST-IST) and subscapularis tendon (SCT) tears on 2D sequences and TSE-SPACE. Results: The mean sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the three readers were 95%, 100%, and 95% on TSE-SPACE and 99%, 93%, and 98% on 2D sequences for detecting SST-IST tears, respectively, whereas those were 87%, 49%, and 68% on TSESPACE and 88%, 66%, and 77% on 2D sequences for detecting SCT tears, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two sequences, except for in the specificity of one reader for detecting SCT tears. The mean AUCs of the three readers on TSE-SPACE and 2D sequences were 0.96 and 0.98 for detecting SST-IST tears, respectively, which were not significantly different, while those were 0.71 and 0.82 for detecting SCT tears, respectively, which were significantly different (P < 0.05). Conclusion: TSE-SPACE may have accuracy and reliability comparable to conventional 2D sequences for SST-IST tears at non-arthrographic 3T shoulder MRI, whereas TSE-SPACE was less reliable than conventional 2D sequences for detecting SCT tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.104-111
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical results of using the technique of rotator cuff repair without parting the biceps long head from the glenoid for large or massive tear of the rotator cuff. Material and Methods: Form January 2005 to January 2007, we performed the arthroscopic biceps repair with incorporating suture to the rotator cuff for 21 patients with large or massive rotator cuff tear. The mean follow up period was 23 months (range: 6-48months). The number of males and females was 9 and 13, respectively. The age distribution ranged from 47 to 73 years with a mean age of 60.3 years. We compared the preoperative score with the postoperative scores using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the shoulder index of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and a simple shoulder test (SST). Results: The improvement in the VAS, ASES and the UCLA and SST scores was statistically significant at the final follow up (average follow-up 23 months) (p>0.05). Two of nine cases were found to have partial tear with continuity but seven cases were found to have complete tear according to the ultrasonography and MRI. Conclusion: The technique of rotator cuff repair without parting the biceps long head from the glenoid for large or massive tear of the rotator cuff is considered to be recommendable.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2018

Background: Fatty degeneration of rotator cuff is a well-known predictor of postoperative outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of rotator cuff tears involving subscapularis, and investigate whether fatty degeneration quantified from only the upper subscapularis correlates better with clinical outcomes than quantified from the whole subscapularis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 315 consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for rotator cuff tears involving subscapularis with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Preoperative and postoperative visual analogue score for pain, range of motion and functional scores were assessed. Integrity of the repaired tendon was assessed at the 1-year follow-up with either magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. Results: The mean Goutallier grade of whole cross-section was significantly lower than that of upper cross-section (1.59 vs. 1.71, p<0.05), but significantly higher than that of lower cross-section (1.59 vs. 1.01, p<0.05). In analysis of 37 re-tears, the occupancy of severe fatty degeneration in upper cross-section was 86.5%, which was significantly higher than that seen in whole cross-section (56.8%, p<0.05). We calculated the cut-off tear size for prediction of re-tears as 19.0 mm for retraction and 11.0 mm for superior-inferior. The cut-off Goutallier grade was 2.5 for both whole and upper cross-sections, but area under the curve was greater in the upper cross-section than the whole (0.911 vs. 0.807). Conclusions: As fatty degeneration of upper subscapularis demonstrated a more distinct spectrum than whole subscapularis, we suggest that measuring fatty degeneration of upper subscapularis can be a more useful method to predict clinical prognosis.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2017

Here, a case of a 59-year-old man with rotator cuff tear and impingement syndrome caused by an ossified coracoacromial ligament is presented. Ossification of the coracoacromial ligaments can occur because of degenerative changes due to trauma or repeated stress, which can lead to impingement syndrome. Therefore, when coracoacromial ligament ossification is present, rotator cuff damage due to impingement syndrome should be considered. Here, we conducted arthroscopic subacromial decompression, removal of the ossified coracoacromial ligament, and supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon repairs. We achieved satisfactory surgical outcomes without relapse; therefore, we report this case with a literature review.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.242-244
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• 2021

LI15 is an important acupuncture point to treat shoulder pain. There are 4 needling methods for LI15 in the textbook; 1 method requires the insertion of the needle horizontally between the acromion and the great tuberosity of the humerus with the arm lowered for supraspinatus tendonitis. This method is also applicable for all conditions of rotator cuff disease, but it has not previously been described in detail. Providing X-ray scans and describing needle direction and depth of insertion will provide evidence for needling with the arm down as an effective stimulation of the subacromial space. Firstly, for this technique, with the arm raised, a concave point is located between the front edge of the acromion and the humerus, and the lower upper arm. Secondly, the acupuncture needle is inserted slightly posteriorly towards the supraspinous fossa, in the direction of the supraspinatus tendon and to a depth of 30-40 mm.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2008

Purpose: This study investigated the rate of retear and related factors after arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears involving more than one tendon. Materials & Methods: Arthroscopic repair of 22 rotator cuff tears (average size 3.2cm: average age 58 years old) involving the supraspinatus and part or all of the infraspinatus were investigated using MRI on average 10 months after repair. The status of the repaired cuff was investigated using Sugaya's classification, and the change in muscle was evaluated with Goutallier's classification. Results: Retear (Sugaya grade IV, V) was found in 7cases(32%). Tears larger than 3cm had a higher retear rate(67%) than smaller tears(8%). Retear cases had Goutallier grade II or higher muscle changes preoperatively and showed aggravation of muscle atrophy postoperatively. Even without retear, reversal of muscle change was not seen Conclusion: Rotator cuff tears not confined to the supraspinatus had a 32% retear rate after arthroscopic repair. The size of the tear was the most crucial factor influencing retear. Retear was frequent in tear over 3cm. Atrophy of the cuff muscle worsened when the repair failed but did not improve even without retear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2010

Purpose: Our purpose was to retrospectively analyze clinical results of subpectoral tenodesis of the proximal biceps tendon using an interference screw. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 23 cases of patients receiving tenodesis of the proximal biceps tendon between January 2008 and January 2009 for whom we had follow-up data for at least 1 year. Twenty-three cases were operated on using subpectoral tenodesis; 16 of these cases had a rotator cuff tear. The results were judged using a visual analog scale (VAS), ASES, tenderness on the biceps groove, fixation failure and the degree of deformity (BAD). Results: VAS and ASES scores were significantly improved in all patients by the time of the final observation. There were no significant complications or fixation failures. The patients without a tear of the rotator cuff had a better result than patients with a tear of the rotator cuff, but the difference between the two groups was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: In patients with pathology of the long head of the biceps brachii, benefits of subpectoral interference screw tenodesis include pain relief, maintenance of functional biceps, muscle strength, and cosmesis. Subpectoral biceps tenodesis using interference screw fixation appears to be a promising, reproducible, reliable technique for addressing anterior shoulder pain related to pathology of the long head of the biceps brachii.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2020

Purpose: To examine the clinical and structural outcomes of an at least two-year follow-up of arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repairs with a single-row or suture-bridge technique in patients more than 65 years of age. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear who were more than 65 years of age, underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair after at least six months of conservative treatment, agreed to take a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) six months postoperatively, and visited outpatient for at least two years were enrolled in this study. Clinical evaluations were done using The University of California Los Angeles score, Constant Shoulder Score, and visual analogue scale evaluated two years after the surgery. The structural integrity was analyzed using follow-up MRI. During surgery, a suture-bridge technique was used if the rotator cuff tendon could cover half of the footprint under constant tension. Otherwise, single-row repair was performed. Results: The samples were 158 cases, consisting of 93 single-repairs and 65 suture-bridge repairs. A preoperative comparison of the age distribution, fatty degeneration of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle, medial retraction of torn cuff tendon, and tear size between the two groups were not significant. The clinical scores were improved significantly in all cases. The distribution of the structural integrity by Sugaya classification were 49 cases in type 1 (31.0%), 62 cases in type 2 (39.2%), 30 cases in type 3 (19.0%), 11 cases in type 4 (7.0%), and six cases in type 5 (3.8%). The re-tear rate of the single-row group was 9.7% (nine out of 93 cases) and 12.3% (eight out of 65 cases) for the suture-bridge group. Conclusion: Satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes were achieved after arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repair in patients more than 65 years of age. Both single-row and suture-bridge techniques would be beneficial for the elderly.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.90-95
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• 2008

Purpose: We wanted to assess the accuracy of ultrasound for detecting abnormality of the long head of the biceps tendon in patients with rotator cuff disorders. Materials and Methods: Between January 2006 and March 2007, we reviewed the arthroscopic findings of biceps tendons in 67 patients with rotator cuff disorder and who underwent ultrasonography pre-operatively. The patients' average age was 58 years and there were 41 males and 26 females. The statuses of the biceps tendons were described as 'normal', 'dislocation', 'subluxation', 'partial or complete tears', and 'tendinopathy'. We investigated the correspondence between the arthroscopic and ultrasonographic findings. Results: On ultrasonography, the biceps tendons were 'normal' in 37 patients and 'abnormal' in 30 patients. On arthroscopy, 5 biceps tendons turned out to have partial tears, which were 'normal' on ultrasonography. On the other hand, 8 biceps tendons were 'normal' which were 'abnormal' on ultrasonography. Three dislocations and 4 complete tears of biceps tendons were identified on arthroscopy, and all of them were detected by ultrasonography. Of the 20 cases of 'tendinopathy' seen on ultrasonography, 15 patients had partial tears and the remaining 5 patients were normal on arthroscopy. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is accurate for detecting some biceps pathologies, such as dislocation or complete tear, but it is not accurate for the detection of partial tear.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2001

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate results of the arthroscopic treatment of calcific tendinitis of the shoulder resistant to conservative treatment. Materials and Methods : From March, 1996 to June, 1998, fourteen patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy to treat resistant calcific tendinitis of the rotator cuff despite conservative treatment for more than 6 months. Calcium deposits were localized to the supraspinatus tendon only in eleven patients, the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon in two patients, and to the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendon in one patient. Each shoulder was evaluated with UCLA shoulder rating scale and Constant-Murley score Results : The Constant-Murley pain score improved from average score 3.2 before surgery to average score 8.3 after surgery, and the UCLA functional average score improved from 4.5 preoperatively to 8.3 postoperatively. Preoperative ROM averaged $110^{\circ}$ of flexion, $45^{\circ}$ of external rotation, $90^{\circ}$ of abduction, and internal rotation with the thumb reaching to the spinous process of the third lumbar vertebra, but postoperative range of motion averages improved as follows: $170^{\circ}$ or flexion, $50^{\circ}$ of external rotation, $140^{\circ}$ abduction, and internal rotation with the spinous process of the twelveth thoracic vertebra. Overall 3 patients were rated excellentm 9 were good, 2 were fair. Conclusion : Shoulder arthroscopy is an effective treatment in patients with refractory calcific tendinitis.