• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2018

A 25-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with a painful and swollen right forearm. She had just sustained an injury from an accident during which her arm was tightly wound by a rope as she was lowering a net from a fishing boat. Before being released, her arm was rigidly trapped in the rope for approximately ten minutes. Radiographs revealed anterior dislocation of the radial head that was accompanied by plastic deformation of the proximal ulna, manifested as a reversal of the proximal dorsal angulation of the ulna (PUDA); suggested a Monteggia equivalent fracture. With the patient under general anesthesia, we reduced the radial head by posterior compression at $90^{\circ}$ of elbow flexion and at neutral rotation of the forearm. However, the reduction was easily lost and the elbow re-dislocated with even slight supination or extension of the arm. After the osteotomy of the ulnar deformity to restore the PUDA to normal, the reduction remained stable even with manipulation of the arm. We found that the patient could exercise a full range of motion without pain at the 3-month follow-up, and neither residual instability nor degenerative changes were observed at the final 3-year follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate a usefulness of the simple radiograph in the patients with chronic shoulder pain 50 years and older. Material and method: 1152 patients with chronic shoulder pain and 100 asymptomatic individuals were involved in this study. All patients were 50 years and older. We excluded patients who had a history of fracture or dislocation. Radiographic interpretation was performed on a shoulder AP view, an axillary view and a supraspinatus outlet view. For statistical analysis, a chi-square test was performed. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Abnormal radiologic findings were identified in 369(32%) out of 1152 patients with a shoulder pain: greater tuberosity sclerosis, acromial sclerosis, subacromial osteophytes are common abnormal radiologic findings. A rotator cuff tear or impingement syndrome was identified on a final diagnosis in 61(85.2%) out of the 76 patients with radiologic abnormalities in both greater tuberosity and acromion (p<0.05). Abnormal radiologic findings were identified in 18% of the asymptomatic individuals. Conclusion: Simple radiographic analysis is an important primary diagnostic tool in patients (50 years and old) with chronic shoulder pain.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.90-94
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• 2017

Background: Proximal humerus fracture is considered to be the third most common fracture for patients aged 65 years or older. Conservative treatment has been known to treat most of humerus fracture. However, fractures with severe displacement or dislocation may require surgical treatment. Intramedullary fibular allograft with a locking plate is frequently used in patients accompanying medial metaphyseal disruption. In this study, author intends to evaluate clinical and imaging results based on patients who underwent surgical treatment using fibular allograft with a locking plate. Methods: This study is conducted prospectively at Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, targeting patients who previously underwent surgical treatment using open reduction and intramedullary fibular allograft with a locking plate between 2011 and 2015. A total of 26 patients were evaluated on the following: postoperational clinical assessment measuring Constant score, American Shoulder and Elbow Society (ASES) score, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. Postoperational imaging assessments are evaluated via measuring the neck-shaft angle. The study subject were Neer classification type 3, 4 proximal humerus fracture cases with disrupted medial hinge and having cortical comminution in the region of the surgical neck. Results: The average period of progression was 22.5 months, and the average age of patients was 72.6 years. At the final follow-up, the average Constant, average ASES, and average DASH scores were 80.1, 78.5, and 20.6 respectively. The average neck-shaft angle was $127.5^{\circ}$. Conclusions: In conclusion, fibular allograft augmentation with a locking plate showed satisfying results in both clinical and imaging studies.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 2000

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in the 40 years and older to determine the incidence of recurrence, rotator cuff injury and associated fractures. Materials and Methods: From May, 1991 to October, 1998, seventeen patients were available to participate in the study. The average age was 55 years(range, 40 to 75 years). Follow-up averaged 27 months(range, 12 to 48 months). There were 12 men and 5 women. 10 right and 7 left shoulders were involved. Any participant with a history of shoulder pain and limitation of motion was excluded from the study. Each shoulder was evaluated with UCLA shoulder functional assessment. Results: The overall results were excellent in 9 patients(52.9%), good in 3 patients(17 .6%), fair in 3 patients(17.6%), and poor in 2 patients(11.7%). Surgical treatment of the associated rotator cuff and greater tuberosity fracture injuries resulted in 5 patients with excellent(55.6%), 3 patients with good(33.3%) and I patient with poor(11.1 %) and Nonsurgical treatment of the associated injuries resulted in 2 patients with excellent(33.3%), 3 patients with fair(50%), 1 patient with poor(16.7%)(P=0.025). Conclusion : Our findings on small number of patients suggest that the diagnosis of a rotator cuff and other pathologies should be approached aggressively by an MRI, CT arthrogram if significant pain and weakness are still present and early surgical repair of rotator cuff and greater tuberosity can lead to restoration of shoulder function and better outcomes in selected patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2000

Purpose: Most proximal humeral fractures are minimally displaced and can be treated satisfactorily with a conservative method. But in many comminuted fractures, hemiarthroplasty is usually done as a primary treatment. The authors evaluated how much functional improvement was achieved after hemiarthroplasty and which factors influence on the final functional results. Materials and Methods: Eleven hemiarthroplasties were performed for three- and four-part fractures(including fracture-dislocation) between April 1992 and June 1999. There were eight women and three men, and the mean age was 65 years. According to Neer classification, six was three-part fracture and five was four-part fracture. Six patients were injured on their right shoulder and five on the left shoulder. Among the five four-part fractures, three had axillary nerve injury and among the six three-part fractures, only one patient had axillary nerve injury. The average follow-up period was 2.4 years(1 year-7 years) after operation. The functional results were evaluated with the UCLA scoring system(Modification for hemiarthroplasty). In addition to the overall results, we compared the results according to the classification of the fracture, the cause of injury, and whether the axillary nerve was injured. Results: At the last follow-up, average total UCLA score was 18.2. The mean score for pain was 7.0, mean muscle power and motion score was 5.5 and 5.7 respectively. The pain relief was more satisfactory than any other functional results. The average score for three-part fractures was 22, and the average for four-part fractures was 13.6. The average score for the patients fractured by vehicle accidents was 15.3, and 19.3 for the patients fractured by slip-down injury. In patients without axillary nerve injury, the average score was 20, and with axillary nerve injury, the score was 15. Conclusion: Shoulder hemiarthroplasty, for the treatment of proximal humeral fractures, cannot restore the shoulder function to normal, but can achieve the functional result to some degree, especially for the activity of daily living. And as for pain, we think that it is relatively effective measure. And we think that the severer the comminution, the more the chance of axillary nerve injury, and the poorer the functional results. In conclusion, the severity of initial injury seems to be the major prognostic factor.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the radiologic results of patients who underwent surgery with a hook plate and a locking plate in distal clavicle fractures. Methods: Sixty patients underwent surgical treatment for Neer type IIa, IIb, III, and V distal clavicle fracture. Twenty-eight patients underwent fracture fixation with a hook plate and 32 with a locking plate. Coracoclavicular distance was measured on standard anteroposterior radiographs before and after the surgery, and union was confirmed by radiograph or computed tomography taken at 6 months postoperatively. Other radiologic complications like osteolysis was also checked. Results: Bony union was confirmed in 59 patients out of 60 patients, and 1 patient in the hook plate group showed delayed union. Coracoclavicular distance was decreased more in the hook plate group after surgery (p<0.01). After 6 weeks of the hook plate removal, the coracoclavicular distance was increased a little compared to before metal removal, but there was no difference compared to the contralateral shoulder. Eleven out of 28 patients (39.3%) showed osteolysis on the acromial undersurface in the hook plate group. Conclusions: Both the hook plate group and the locking plate group showed satisfactory radiologic results in distal clavicle fractures. Both hook plate and locking plate could be a good treatment option if it is used in proper indication in distal clavicle fracture with acromioclavicular subluxation or dislocation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2016

Background: The goal of this study was to evaluate whether a modified fluoroscopic technique for positioning a hook plate affected the clinical results of treating Neer type II distal clavicle fractures and Rockwood type V acromioclavicular (AC) joint separations with this device. Methods: The study was a retrospective consecutive case series with data analysis. Sixty-four patients with a Neer type II distal clavicle fracture or a Rockwood type V AC joint injury treated between March 2009 and June 2013 were divided into 2 groups: traditional fluoroscopic technique (traditional view, 31 patients) or modified fluoroscopic technique ('hook' view, 33 patients). A visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the modified University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scale score, and radiographic osteolysis were the main outcome measures. Results: The traditional group included a significantly larger number of patients with acromial osteolysis than the hook view group: 23 patients (74.2%) vs. 11 patients (33.3%), respectively (p=0.01). Before plate removal, the hook group reported less pain and higher UCLA shoulder scale scores than the traditional group: average VAS score, 1.55 vs. 2.26, respectively; average UCLA score, 30.88 vs. 27.06, respectively. However, there was no significant difference after plate removal. Conclusions: The hook view allows more accurate bending of the hook plate around the contour of the acromion, resulting in decreased osteolysis, decreased pain, and better function with the plate in situ.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2022

Background: Reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA), first introduced as a management option for cuff tear arthropathy, is now an accepted treatment for complex proximal humeral fractures. Few studies have identified whether the outcomes of RSA for shoulder trauma are comparable to those of RSA for shoulder arthritis. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of all patients who underwent RSA at our institution between January 2013 and December 2019. In total, 49 patients met the inclusion criteria. As outcomes, we evaluated the 1-year American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) and Constant shoulder scores, postoperative shoulder range of motion, intra- and postoperative complications, and cumulative revision rate. The patients were grouped based on preoperative diagnosis to compare postoperative outcomes across two broad groups. Results: The median follow-up period was 32.8 months (interquartile range, 12.6-66.6 months). The 1-year visual analog scale, range of motion, and Constant and ASES functional scores were comparable between RSAs performed to treat shoulder trauma and that performed for arthritis. The overall complication rate was 20.4%, with patients with a preoperative diagnosis of arthritis having significantly more complications than those with a preoperative diagnosis of trauma (34.8% vs. 7.7%). Conclusions: Patients who underwent RSA due to a proximal humeral fracture or dislocation did not fare worse than those who underwent RSA for arthritis at 1 year, in terms of both functional and radiological outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.190-198
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• 2007

Purpose: The current study reports the clinical results of total elbow arthroplasties (TEA) which were Performed on patients with poor clinical and radiological results after initial surgeries for elbow fractures or dislocations. Materials and Methods: The clinical outcomes of twelve consecutive patients who underwent TEA after failed surgeries for elbow fractures or dislocations from january, 1995 to December, 2005 were evaluated. The initial diagnoses were distal humeral fractures in 8 cases and fracture-dislocations in 4 cases. The Mean period from the initial operations to the TEAs was 12 months. The mean folloow up period after TEA was 43 months. Results: The mean range of motion, in terms of active extension, activeflexion, supination, and pronation, improved from $14.2^{\circ}$, $96.7^{\circ}$, $50.8^{\circ}$ and $53.3^{\circ}$ to $5.4^{\circ}$, $122.1^{\circ}$, $63.3^{\circ}$ and $67.5^{\circ}$, respectively (p<0.05). RAdiolucent lines were found in 3 cases, which were 1 case of type 3, and 2 cases of type 4. All three loosening cases underwent revision TEAs. The mean postoperative Mayo elvow performance score was 79 point. There were 6 cases of excellent, 2 cases of good, and 4 cases in poor. Conclusion: Good clinical results were obtained after TEA performed in failed surgeries for elbow fractures of dislocations.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.152-158
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the effectiveness of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in treating irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent RTSA for the treatment of irreparable massive RCTs and completed follow-up for at least 1 year were selected. Their mean age was 69.7 years (range, 59-80 years). The mean follow-up was 17.7 months (range, 12-42 months). The shoulder range of motion was measured preoperatively and at final follow-up. The functional result was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. Additionally, the shoulders were categorized into two groups depending on prior history of surgery and the clinical outcomes were analyzed between two groups. Results: Mean pain VAS improved, from $6.6{\pm}1.2$ to $2.7{\pm}0.9$ (p=0.001), and the mean functional VAS from $35.7{\pm}4.2$ to $73.3{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.006). The mean ASES score improved from $37.2{\pm}2.8$ to $75.0{\pm}3.8$ (p=0.012). The mean KSS improved from $36.5{\pm}7.2$ to $75.6{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.009), the mean forward elevation from $66.3{\pm}4.7$ to $135.6{\pm}8.4$ (p=0.0001), and the mean abduction from $45.2{\pm}4.2$ to $119.0{\pm}6.5o$ (p=0.0001). Internal rotation differed significantly from the first sacral to the third lumbar vertebrae (p=0.036). External rotation did not change significantly (p=0.076). There was also no statistically significant difference between groups (no previous operation versus none). Four complications occurred: one superficial infection, one with anterior dislocation, one acromial fracture, and one clavicle fracture. Conclusions: RTSA provides reliable pain relief and recovery of shoulder function in patients with massive irreparable RCTs in short-term follow-up.