• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 1999

Twenty-three patients with chronic shoulder pain beyond 6 months after the fracture of the greater tuberosity underwent arthroscopic treatment and were retrospectively assessed after an average of 29 months(range, 22 to 40 months). There were 18 men and 5 women with the average age of 39 years(range, 24 to 61 years). Fourteen were isolated fractures and nine were related to acute anterior instability episode. The average displacement of the fracture was 2.3mm(range, 0 to 4mm) on the anteroposterior view of the plane radiographs. At the time of arthroscopy, all patients had partial thickness rotator cuff tears in the articular surface. The cuff tears were located on the tuberosity fracture area and were an Ellman's grade I to n in depth. With the arthroscopic debridement or repair of the tear depending on the condition of the tear itself, as well as the subacromial decompression, the UCLA score revealed good to excellent results in 20 and fair in 3 patients. Nineteen of the patients had returned to the previous level of activities. The patient with a higher activity demand revealed a lower level of activity return(p=0.034). The partial thickness rotator cuff tear should be considered in patients with chronic shoulder pain after the minimally displaced fracture of the greater tuberosity, and arthroscopic debridement or repair is an appropriate procedure.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.3 s.260
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• pp.251-254
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• 2006

Metallic fixations devices are widely used in the surgical management of fractures and dislocations of shoulder. It is known that Kirschner wire (K-wire) may migrate into the thoracic cavity or other organs may occur. We report a case in which a K-wire previously placed in the clavicle migrated into the thoracic cavity without causing any trauma to the major vascular structures and was removed successfully by thoracoscopic surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2013

Purpose: A comparison of the radiographic and the clinical outcomes between two different surgical approaches-Deltoid splitting and Delto-pectoral interval-on the proximal humerus fractures treated by locking compressive plate (LCP), is done. Materials and Methods: Medical records and pre- and postoperative radiographs were reviewed retrospectively for 75 adult patients who underwent surgical fixations with locking compressive plates from May 2005 to December 2011. Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical methods. Differences in the neck-shaft angle between immediate postoperative period and final follow-up were compared between the two groups. Differences in constant score and Korean shoulder score (KSS) between affected arms and contralateral arms at final follow-up were also compared. Results: The differences in the neck-shaft angle between immediate postoperative period and at final follow-up was 12.04 degrees on average in Deltoid splitting approach and 10.20 degrees in Delto-pectoral interval approach, which was not statistically significant. Differences in constant score/KSS between the affected arm and the contralateral arm were 13.78/22.74 points in deltoid-splitting approach on average and 19.41/31.13 points in Delto-pectoral interval approach, showing that deltoid-splitting approach is significantly superior. Conclusion: Deltoid-splitting approach showed better functional outcomes in the fracture reduction and internal fixation using LCP for the treatment of unstable proximal humerus fractures.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical result of arthroscopic treatments by using suture anchors or suture anchors combined with cannulated screw in the greater tuberosity fracture of the proximal humerus fracture. Materials and Methods: From March 2004 to March 2006 we have used suture anchor or suture anchors combined with cannulated screw for 6 cases of the greater tuberosity fracture which include displaced fractures, comminuted fractures and minimally displaced fractures with comcomittent lesions such as rotator cuff tears, stiffness and labral lesion. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical outcomes by using the range of motion, University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA) and the ASES shoulder index score (ASES) in the average 6 months follow up. Results: At the last follow up, average range of motion was improved to 154.3 degree, 145.8 degree, 32.6 degree and L1 vertebrae in each forward flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation. Clinically the UCLA rating scales improved to 31.5 and the ASES shoulder index score (ASES) improved to 93.6 in the last follow up. Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatments by using suture anchor or suture anchors combined with cannulated screw in the greater tuberosity fracture of the proximal humerus fracture is an alternative treatment of the greater tuberosity fracture of the proximal humerus fracture.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.84-91
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report seven cases of metallic radial head prosthesis and present the limit of use in Korea. Materials and Methods: Metallic radial head arthroplasty was performed on 7 patients between April 2006 and December 2006, who had complex elbow injury including comminuted radial head fracture. Indication, operative findings and outcome were assessed. Availability and payment of implant were investigated. Results: All of the patients had more than one associated injury including coronoid fracture, olecranoan fracture, and ligament ruptures. According to Mason classification, there were three type III and four type IV fractures. All radial head fractures were too comminuted to reconstruct. There were two excellent results, four good, and one poor, as graded by Mayo score. There were no patient with instability and implant related complications. Insufficient supply of implant did not enable to do scheduled surgery in 2 cases. Current medical insurance did not cover charge for radial prosthesis, five patients could not help paying for that by themselves. Conclusion: Metallic radial head implants are useful when the radial head cannot be repaired reliably. Preoperative preparing and coverage by medical insurance based on appropriate indication are helpful for decision for a treatment option.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.151-157
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• 2018

Background: Nonunion of lateral humeral condyle fracture causes cubitus valgus deformity. Although corrective osteotomy or osteosynthesis can be considered, there are controversies regarding its treatment. To evaluate elbow joint biomechanics in non-united lateral humeral condyle fractures, we analyzed the motion of elbow joint and pseudo-joint via in vivo three-dimensional (3D) kinematics, using 3D images obtained by computed tomography (CT) scan. Methods: Eight non-united lateral humeral condyle fractures with cubitus valgus and 8 normal elbows were evaluated in this study. CT scan was performed at 3 different elbow positions (full flexion, $90^{\circ}$ flexion and full extension). With bone surface model, 3D elbow motion was reconstructed. We calculated the axis of rotation in both the normal and non-united joints, as well as the rotational movement of the ulno-humeral joint and pseudo-joint of non-united lateral condyle in 3D space from full extension to full flexion. Results: Ulno-humeral joint moved to the varus on the coronal plane during flexion, $25.45^{\circ}$ in the non-united cubitus valgus group and $-2.03^{\circ}$ in normal group, with statistically significant difference. Moreover, it moved to rotate externally on the axial plane $-26.75^{\circ}$ in the non-united cubitus valgus group and $-3.09^{\circ}$ in the normal group, with statistical significance. Movement of the pseudo-joint of fragment of lateral condyle showed irregular pattern. Conclusions: The non-united cubitus valgus group moved to the varus with external rotation during elbow flexion. The pseudo-joint showed a diverse and irregular motion. In vivo 3D motion analysis for the non-united cubitus valgus could be helpful to evaluate its kinematics.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2010

Injury of the musculocutanous nerve can be associated with a proximal humeral fracture or shoulder dislocation, and injury of the brachial plexus. However, injury of this nerve associated with a humeral shaft fracture has rarely been reported. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury is difficult because its sensory loss is ill-defined, and examination of elbow flexion is difficult when it is associated with fractures. We report an unusual case of musculocutaneous nerve injury in a 27 years old woman who had multiple injuries including a humerus shaft fracture, an ipsilateral radius shaft fracture, and an associated radial nerve laceration. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury was delayed because combined fractures of the humerus and radius prevented proper examination of the elbow motion and nerve grafting of the radial nerve delayed early elbow motion exercise. Delayed exploration of the musculocutaneous nerve 6 months after trauma showed complete rupture of the nerve at its entry into the coracobrachialis muscle and the defect was successfully managed by sural nerve graft.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical result of intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus (AO type C) in elderly osteoporotic patients treated with double tension band osteosynthesis. Materials and Methods: From January 2006 to December 2010, 10 elderly osteoporotic patients(1 male, 9 females) with intra-articular fractures of the distal humerus (AO type C) were treated with double tension band osteosynthesis. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 74.6(66~84) years and the mean follow-up period was 39.2(20~74) months. The fracture union and complications were assessed and the functional result was evaluated by the rating system of Jupiter et al. and the Mayo elbow performance index. Results: Bone union was achieved in all patients with no secondary displacement. The mean time for union was 16.6(13~22) weeks. The average postoperative arc of elbow flexion was 119(100~140) degrees with a mean flexion contracture of 8.5(0~15) degrees. The recovery in two patients was rated as excellent, in 7 as good, and in 1 as fair in terms of the Mayo elbow performance index with average value of 82(70~90) points. Seven patients were rated as excellent, 1 as good, and 2 as fair in terms of the rating system of Jupiter et al. Changing tension band wiring was performed in one patient as skin irritation was noticed due to tension band knots. Heterotopic ossification developed in one patient but had no symptom. Conclusion: Double tension band osteosynthesis in intra-articular fractures of distal humerus (AO type C) in elderly osteoporotic patients can provide sufficient and secure stability to allow early rehabilitation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1999

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes of one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity that had been treated either by a conservative treatment or an operative approach. Materials and Method: Eighteen shoulders in 18 patients who had an one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus were managed, and the average follow-up period was 4 years and 10 months (range, 1 year to 8 years 6 months). Results: According to Neer's criteria for evaluation of results, in the group of 13 patients managed nonoperatively, the results were good or excellent in ten patients, fair in one, and poor in two. In the group managed operatively, the results were excellent in all five patients. Conclusion: If the displacement of the fragment is more than 5mm in young active patients, and more than 3mm especially in athletes and heavy laborers involved in overhead activity, the fragment should be mobilized, repaired and fixed into its original bed or a little bit inferolaterally with multiple heavy non-absorbable sutures, tension band technique, or cancellous screws and washers. We would suggest that the patients showing one-part fracture of the greater tuberosity of the proximal humerus should be evaluated individually.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.229-236
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• 2016

Background: Cubitus varus and cubitus valgus deformities are common complications of distal humeral fractures in children. We evaluated the usefulness of supracondylar dome osteotomy as a treatment option for adults with cubitus varus or valgus deformity developed during childhood. Methods: Ten patients who had received supracondylar dome osteotomy and stabilization with plates to treat cubitus varus or valgus deformity between July 2006 and August 2013 were included in this study. Their mean age at the time of surgery was $36.50{\pm}10.22years$. The mean follow-up duration was $54.80{\pm}32.50months$. We evaluated humerus-elbow-wrist angles (HEWA), improvements in the lateral prominence index (LPI) or medial prominence index (MPI), Mayo elbow performance scores (MEPS), and overall results in accordance with the Banerjee criteria. Results: For the six patients with cubitus varus, the mean postoperative HEWA, mean correction angle, and mean improvement in LPI were $9.72^{\circ}{\pm}3.95^{\circ}$, $27.67^{\circ}{\pm}10.75^{\circ}$, and $6.92%{\pm}3.40%$, respectively. For the four patients with cubitus valgus, the mean postoperative HEWA, mean correction angle, and mean improvement in MPI were $14.73^{\circ}{\pm}2.97^{\circ}$, $11.55^{\circ}{\pm}3.26^{\circ}$, and $11.33%{\pm}6.39%$, respectively. There was no significant difference between postoperative and preoperative mean MEPS. The subjective ulnar nerve symptoms were alleviated in all patients. The overall results were excellent in six and good in four patients. Conclusions: This study suggests that supracondylar dome osteotomy with secure fixation using double plates may be useful in correcting cubitus varus or cubitus valgus deformity, yielding good functional outcomes in adults.