• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2009

Purpose: We wanted to evaluate the results of arthroscopic management of an isolated rupture of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors. Materials and Methods: Twenty nine patients with unilateral ruptures of the subscapularis tendon and who underwent arthroscopic repair between February 2001 and October 2007 were reviewed prospectively. All the cases were isolated tears of the subscapularis without the involvement of any other rotator cuff tendon. In 19 patients the tear was localized to the superior one third, in 7 cases the tear was localized to the upper two thirds and the entire tendon was involved in 3 cases. The mean follow up period was 12.2 months (range: 6-26 months). The results of the treatment were assessed by evaluating the constant shoulder score and the pain score before surgery and after surgery. Results: The constant shoulder score improved from $49.9\pm7.3$ to $73.8\pm3.0$ points compared to before surgery and the pain score improved from $4.3\pm3.2$ to $11.2\pm3.0$ points postoperatively. Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of isolated ruptures of the subscapularis tendon using suture anchors is a good option for effectively managing these tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.154-159
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• 1998

Medial dislocation of the long head of the biceps brachii is a rare condition that usually occurs in association with tears of the subscapularis, chronic impingement, capsular defects or a fracture of the lesser tuberosity. Less commonly, a biceps tendon dislocation may occur after an acute traumatic event. Following a dislocation, the biceps tendon will assume either an intra- or extra-articular position depending on whether or not the subscapularis tendon detaches from its humeral insertion. Magnetic resonance imaging has been found to provide valuable information concerning the location of the biceps tendon and the integrity of the subscapularis tendon. We present a patient with a traumatic dislocation of the biceps brachii tendon in which the diagnosis remained elusive for an extended period of time. In this case, he was evaluated using MRI and reconstruction was performed by restoring the tendon to its anatomical position.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2019

Background: This study aimed to compare the subscapularis muscle volume between the intact groups (group I) and supraspinatus tendon tear groups (group T) based on the sex and three different age groups. Methods: Subjects with a group I and subjects with group T without any other lesions were retrospectively evaluated from among patients who received a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan between January 2011 and December 2013. The MRI scans were studied by a consultant radiologist. The subscapularis muscle volume was compared according to the age and sex; the age groups were categorized as patients in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. The volume of subscapularis muscle was measured by three-dimensional reconstructed images acquired through the axial section of 1.5T MRI. Results: No statistically significant differences were observed between subscapularis muscle volume of the group I and group T, except for male patients in their 50s (group I: $100,650mm^3$ vs. group T: $106,488mm^3$) and 60s (group I: $76,347mm^3$ vs. group T: $99,549mm^3$) (p<0.05). Males had a larger mean volume of subscapularis muscle than females, and the subscapularis muscle volume decreased in a linear manner with increasing age. Conclusions: Decrease in subscapularis muscle volume was observed with increasing age, and the impact of supraspinatus tear on subscapularis muscle volume is age and sex dependent.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.220-226
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• 2019

Background: This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate mid-term clinical and radiological outcomes of lattisimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer in patients with irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (MRCT). We hypothesize that LD tendon transfer would provide safe and satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Methods: From November 2008 to December 2016, 23 patients ($57.5{\pm}4.4years$; 20 male, 3 female) who underwent LD tendon transfer for massive tears, were enrolled. Inclusion criteria were irreparable MRCT. Exclusion criteria included full thickness subscapularis tear, rotator cuff arthropathy, anterosuperior rotator cuff tear, and osteoarthritis. Mean follow-up period was $4.7{\pm}4.0years$ (range, 2-12 years). Clinical assessment (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons [ASES], University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA], Simple Shoulder Test [SST]) and radiographic assessment (osteoarthritis [OA], acromiohumeral distance [AHI]) were evaluated. Results: ASES, UCLA and SST scores, and range of motion (ROM), except internal rotation, improved significantly at the last followup (p<0.05). Also, AHI was significantly improved at the last follow-up, from 6.6 mm to 8.2 mm (p=0.008). At the final follow-up, the radiologic stages of the glenohumeral osteoarthritis were determined as stage 1 in 9 patients, stage 2 in 10 patients, stage 3 in 2 patients, and stage 4 in 2 patients. Complications were observed in 21.7% cases: 3 re-tears and 2 infections were noted in our study. Conclusions: LD tendon transfer for irreparable MRCT provides satisfactory clinical outcomes at mid-term follow-up. Mild degenerative osteoarthritis (stage 1, 2) of the shoulder joint are common at the mid-term follow-up. Also, complications such as tear, infection should be considered.

• 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.21 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2018

Background: The Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) is a reliable and valid procedure for discriminative assessment of the clinical status of patients with rotator cuff tears. This study evaluates the correlation between the preoperative KSS and factors in patients with rotator cuff tears. Methods: From November 2009 to June 2016, 970 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 490 patients met the study criteria. Preoperative factors included age, sex, symptom duration, mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) tear size, acromiohumeral distance (AHD), tangent sign, tendon involvement (type I, supraspinatus; type II, supraspinatus and subscapularis; type III, supraspinatus and infraspinatus; type IV, all 3 tendons), fatty infiltration of rotator cuff muscles (group I, Goutallier stages 0 and 1; group II, Goutallier stages 2, 3, and 4), and KSS. Results: Old age, ML tear size, and AP tear size negatively correlated with the preoperative KSS (p<0.001). AHD showed a positive correlation with the preoperative KSS (p<0.001). A significantly inferior preoperative KSS was found in females and type III tendon involvement (p<0.001). For supraspinatus and infraspinatus, the preoperative KSS of group II fatty infiltration showed a significantly lower score than group I fatty infiltration (p<0.05). Conclusions: A relatively lower preoperative KSS was associated with old age, large tear size, narrow AHD, female, type III tendon involvement, and group II fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. Our study indicates that preoperative KSS can be a good measurement for the preoperative status of patients with rotator cuff tears.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.85 no.1
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• pp.171-183
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• 2024

Purpose This study aimed to investigate which indirect parameters on preoperative MRI were the principal predictors of subscapularis tendon tears (STTs) requiring surgical repair. Materials and Methods Preoperative MRI scans of 86 patients were retrospectively reviewed for visual assessment of the STT, pathology of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT), posterior decentering (PD) of the humeral head, humeral rotation, fatty degeneration, and subscapularis muscle atrophy. To evaluate atrophy, visual grading using the anatomical line connecting the coracoid tip to the glenoid base, designated as the base-to-tip line (BTL), and thickness measurements were performed in the en-face view. Results Arthroscopically, 31 patients (36%) exhibited Lafosse type III or IV STT and underwent surgical repair. LHBT pathology (p = 0.002), PD of the humeral head (p = 0.012), fatty degeneration (p < 0.001), and BTL grade (p = 0.003) significantly correlated with STT. In the multivariate analysis, PD of the humeral head (p = 0.011, odds ratio [OR] = 5.14) and fatty degeneration (p = 0.046, OR = 2.81) were independent predictors of STT. Conclusion PD of the humeral head and fatty degeneration of the subscapularis can help to diagnose clinically significant STT. Interpretation of these findings may contribute to the planning of an optimal surgical strategy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.161-166
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• 2010

Purpose: Irreparable massive rotator cuff tears pose a distinct clinical challenge for the orthopaedist and non-surgical treatment has had inconsistent results and proven unsuccessful for chronic symptoms, while surgery, including debridement and partial and complete repairs have had varying degrees of success. Materials and Methods: For rotator cuff tears that are deemed irreparable, treatment options are limited. Results and Conclusion: The use of tendon transfers (latissimus dorsi for posterosuperior type cuff defects and pectoralis major for subscapularis defects) in younger patients to reconstruct rotator cuffs and re-establish function and restore shoulder kinematics can be useful in solving this difficult problem.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.203-209
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• 2019

Background: Clinical outcomes and prognosis of large and massive rotator cuff tears are known to be unpredictable not only in degeneration of the rotator cuff, but also due to a high rate of retear. Methods: Totally, 81 patients who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from May 2008 to February 2016 were evaluated in our study. Clinical and functional evaluations were performed with the Constant score and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score, as well as full physical examination of the shoulder. All patients were confirmed to have magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of tendon healing at least 1 year postoperatively. Results: The average age at the time of surgery was 65 years (range, 47-78 years). The average duration of postoperative time in which a follow-up MRI was performed was 36.1 months (range, 12-110 months). Large tears were present in 48 cases (59.3%) and massive tears in 33 cases (40.7%). Overall, there were 33 retear cases (40.7%). All the average clinical outcome scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up (p<0.001), although repair integrity was not maintained. Compared to type A, types C, and D of the Collin's classification showed significantly higher retear rates (p=0.036). Conclusions: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair yields improved clinical outcomes and a relatively high degree of patient satisfaction, despite the repair integrity not being maintained. Involvement of the subscapularis muscle or infraspinatus muscle had no effect on the retear rate.