• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.380-389
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• 2023

Background: Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) with a nonspherical humeral head component and inlay glenoid is a successful bone-preserving treatment for glenohumeral arthritis. This study aimed to describe the 90-day complication profile of TSA with this prosthesis and compare major and minor complication and readmission rates between inpatient- and outpatient-procedure patients. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of a consecutive cohort of patients undergoing TSA with a nonspherical humeral head and inlay glenoid in the inpatient and outpatient settings by a single surgeon between 2017 and 2022. Age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and 90-day complication and readmission rates were compared between inpatient and outpatient groups. Results: One hundred eighteen TSAs in 111 patients were identified. Mean age was 64.9 years (range, 39-90) and 65% of patients were male. Ninety-four (80%) and 24 (20%) patients underwent outpatient and inpatient procedures, respectively. Four complications (3.4%) were recorded: axillary nerve stretch injury, isolated ipsilateral arm deep venous thrombosis (DVT), ipsilateral arm DVT with pulmonary embolism requiring readmission, and gastrointestinal bleed requiring readmission. There were no reoperations or other complications. Outpatients were younger with lower ASA and CCI scores than inpatients; however, there was no difference in complications (1/24 vs. 3/94, P=1.00) or readmissions (1/24 vs. 1/94, P=0.37) between these two groups. Conclusions: TSA with a nonspherical humeral head and inlay glenoid can be performed safely in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Rates of early complications and readmissions were low with no difference according to surgical setting. Level of evidence: IV.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.158-162
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• 2022

The incidence of musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB) is on the rise due to the current Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) pandemic. Spine is the most common osseous site, followed by other joints. TB identified in the elbow accounts for 2%-5% of skeletal TB cases, which are secondary to pulmonary TB. Primary elbow TB is rare. We report a case of primary TB of the elbow which had a negative synovial biopsy. A 46-year-old right-hand dominant female patient with chronic pain and disability of the right elbow was diagnosed with chronic non-specific arthritis based on an arthroscopic synovial biopsy. The case was diagnosed retrospectively as active TB from bone cuts post total elbow arthroplasty. Anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT) was given postoperatively for 12 months. The patient reported good functional outcomes at 3 years of follow-up. Such atypical presentations of osteoarticular TB are challenging to diagnose. Therefore, particularly in endemic areas, clinicians should be careful before excluding such a diagnosis even after a negative biopsy. Further research should investigate whether active TB of small joints such as the elbow can be treated with ATT, and early arthroplasty should be a focus of this research.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.152-155
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• 2020

Periprosthetic fracture after total elbow replacement surgery is a difficult complication to manage, especially when it comes together with implant loosening. If stem revision and internal fixation of the periprosthetic fracture are performed simultaneously, this would be a very challenging procedure. Most of total elbow replacement implants are cemented type. Cement usage at periprosthetic fracture site may interfere healing of fractured site. Authors underwent internal fixation with use of locking plate and cerclage wire for periprosthetic fracture, allogenous fibular strut bone inserted into the humerus intramedullary canal allowing the fractured site to be more stable without cement usage. At 10-month follow-up, the complete union and good clinical outcome was achieved. We present a novel technique for treating periprosthetic fracture with implant loosening after total elbow replacement surgery, using intramedullary allogenous fibula strut bone graft.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2013

Designs of total elbow arthroplasty have been evolving with clinical experiences. Newer implants are expected to resolve current limitations and improve long term outcomes. This review article focuses on the basic knowledge of unlinked and convertible total elbow arthroplasty. There have been a variety of designs of unlinked total elbow prostheses. Some implants are still used in the market, while others are no longer commercially available. Modified and newer designs include more congruent contact surface, stemmed implant, and radiocapitellar arthroplasty. Two convertible elbow prostheses have been developed, and one implant is currently available in Korea. Conversion from an unlinked to a linked mode is performed by adding a linking cap. Unlinked total elbow arthroplasty, which restores native elbow kinematics, has a biomechanical rationale of lowering polyethylene wear and loosening of implants. It can be indicated in younger and higher demand patients, who have adequate bone stock and soft tissues. Convertible total elbow arthroplasty broadens implant selection and simplifies revision surgery. These newer prostheses possibly improve the long term outcomes and resolve disadvantages of linked prostheses in total elbow arthroplasty.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.248-253
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• 2015

Background: Scapular notching can happen at diverse location depending on implant design or operative technique, therefore, it is easily misdiagnosed. Thus, this study purposed to suggest a method helpful to assess scapular notching. Methods: The subjects were 73 cases of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) for cuff tear arthropathy during the period from May 2009 to April 2014 and followed-up for over a year. There was medialized RSA in 22 cases, bone increased offset RSA (BIO-RSA) in 36 cases, and metal increased offset RSA (metal-RSA) in 15 cases. Scapular notching was not determined by bone defect at the inferior of glenosphere as Sirveaux's classification, but scapular notching at the site where the rotational route of the polyethylene of humeral implant met the scapular neck were examined. The results were compared with conventional method. Results: By conventional method, scapular notching was observed in 10 cases (45.5%) in medialized RSA, 12 cases (33.3%) in BIO-RSA, and none in metal-RSA. By new method, it was observed in 9 cases (40.9%) in medialized RSA, 10 cases (27.8%) in BIO-RSA, and none of metal-RSA. The site of scapular notching was apart from glenoshpere in 18 cases, and at inferior of glenosphere in 1 case. Absorption of bone graft was observed in 4 (11.1%) out of 36 cases of BIO-RSA. Conclusions: It is hard to distinguish scapular notching from absorption of bone graft in BIO-RSA, and bone absorption at the lateral lower end of glenoid in medialized RSA. Thus, it is considered useful to assess scapular notching at the site where the rotational route of the polyethylene insert meets scapular neck.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of the time from initial presentation to total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) in patients with primary glenohumeral osteoarthritis (OA) and rotator cuff (RTC) arthropathy who were conservatively managed with corticosteroid injections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent TSA from 2010 to 2021. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate median time to TSA for primary OA and RTC arthropathy patients. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify significant predictors of time to TSA and to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results: The cohort included 160 patients with primary OA and 92 with RTC arthropathy. In the primary OA group, median time to TSA was 15 months. Significant predictors of shorter time to TSA were older age at presentation (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04; P=0.03) and presence of moderate or severe acromioclavicular joint arthritis (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.05-2.01; P=0.03). In the RTC arthropathy group, median time to TSA was 14 months, and increased number of corticosteroid injections was associated with longer time to TSA (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80-0.95; P=0.003). Conclusions: There are distinct prognostic factors for progression to TSA between primary OA patients and RTC arthropathy patients managed with corticosteroid injections. Multiple corticosteroid injections are associated with delayed time to TSA in RTC arthropathy patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.267-275
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• 2023

Background: Physical therapy (PT) plays an important role in the recovery of function following anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA). While several PT protocols have been published for these patients, there is no standardized protocol for aTSA rehabilitation. This lack of standardization may lead to confusion between patients and physicians, possibly resulting in suboptimal outcomes. This study examines how PT protocols provided by academic orthopedic surgery programs vary regarding therapeutic goals and activities following aTSA. Methods: PT protocols for aTSA available online from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited orthopedic surgery programs were included for review. Each protocol was analyzed to evaluate it for differences in recommendation of length of immobilization, range of motion (ROM) goals, start time for and progression of therapeutic exercises, and timing for return to functional activity. Results: Of 175 accredited programs, 25 (14.2%) had protocols publicly available, programs (92%) recommended sling immobilization outside of therapy for an average of 4.4±2.0 weeks. Most protocols gave recommendations on starting active forward flexion (24 protocols, range 1-7 weeks), external rotation (22 protocols, range 1-7 weeks), and internal rotation (18 protocols, range 4-7 weeks). Full passive ROM was recommended at 10.8±5.7 weeks, and active ROM was 13.3±3.9 weeks, on average. ROM goals were inconsistent among protocols, with significant variations in recommended ROM and resistance exercise start times. Only 13 protocols (52%) gave recommendations on resuming recreational activities (mean, 17.4±4.4 weeks). Conclusions: Publicly available PT protocols for aTSA rehabilitation are highly variable. Level of evidence: IV.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.169-173
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• 2002

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2023

Background: Our purpose was to evaluate a custom reverse total shoulder arthroplasty glenoid baseplate for severe glenoid deficiency, emphasizing the challenges with this approach, including short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications. Methods: This was a single-institution, retrospective series of 29 patients between January 2017 and December 2022 for whom a custom glenoid component was created for extensive glenoid bone loss. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and at intervals for up to 5 years. All received preoperative physical examinations, plain radiographs, and computed tomography (CT). Intra- and postoperative complications are reported. Results: Of 29 patients, delays resulted in only undergoing surgery, and in three of those, the implant did not match the glenoid. For those three, the time from CT scan to implantation averaged 7.6 months (range, 6.1-10.7 months), compared with 5.5 months (range, 2-8.6 months) for those whose implants fit. In patients with at least 2-year follow-up (n=9), no failures occurred. Significant improvements were observed in all patient-reported outcome measures in those nine patients (American Shoulder and Elbow Score, P<0.01; Simple Shoulder Test, P=0.02; Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, P<0.01; Western Ontario Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder Index, P<0.01). Range of motion improved for forward flexion and abduction (P=0.03 for both) and internal rotation up the back (P=0.02). Pain and satisfaction also improved (P<0.01 for both). Conclusions: Prolonged time (>6 months) from CT scan to device implantation resulted in bone loss that rendered the implants unusable. Satisfactory short-term radiographic and clinical follow-up can be achieved with a well-fitting device. Level of evidence: III.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2017

Enchondromas generally occur in the hand and uncommonly in the long bones. Because enchondromas are usually asymptomatic, most are discovered during diagnostic radiology for another disease. Here, we describe a case of enchondroma in the right humerus in a 79-year-old female patient with concomitant rotator cuff tear arthropathy. The patient was initially hospitalized for prolonged pain and pseudoparalysis of the right shoulder. The condition, which was histologically confirmed as an enchondroma in the proximal humerus, was treated with curettage and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. In this case report, we present a rare case of an enchondroma with combined rotator cuff tear arthropathy.