• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.91-92
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• 2001

1. Partial cuff tears are common and incapacitate active people in the 5th to 6th decades. 2. The pathogenesis appears multifactorial. 3. The pain is proportional to the degree of concomitant subacromial bursitis, not to the size of the cuff tear. 4. The diagnosis is made by several imagings, arthroscopy and/or trial tenotomy. 5. The spontaneous healing is unlikely and progression to complete tears is frequent. 6. The intratendinous extension poses therapeutic problem but satisfactory results are obtained by open surgery in approximately $90\% of cases.

• 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.8 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2005

An isolated tear of the subscapularis is uncommon, and there are a few literatures regarding the treatment of this problem. But, the incidence has increased with development of the arthroscopic techniques. An all-arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is a challenging procedure that can be effectively performed for treatment of subscapularis tendon tears. Often, tears of the subscapularis tendon do not involve entire tendon, and retraction of the torn edge is within to 2 cm of its attachment site. Occasionally, the entire tendon is torn and retracted medially to the glenoid. This article outlines the examination, preoperative planning and details the steps necessary to perform this procedure on upper third of subscapularis tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2009

Purpose: With the better understanding of cuff function, partial repair or "force couple repair" for treating massive irreparable rotator cuff tear has gained some popularity. However, there were few reports on the results of partial repair. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical outcome of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears who received arthroscopic force-couple repair or partial repair. Materials and Methods: From June 2005 to Feb 2008, arthroscopic partial repairs were performed for 16 irreparable rotator cuff tears among the 101 large to massive rotator cuff tears that were operated on. Clinical and radiographic evaluation were done at the final follow-up. Results: There were 7 men and 9 women with a mean age of 66.6 years. The mean follow-up period was 27.3 month (range: 15-46). The pain VAS improved from 4.4 ($\pm2.50$) to 2.1 ($\pm2.26$) and the functional VAS improved from 46.9 ($\pm16.64$) to 70.0 ($\pm22.80$). The ASES score improved from 39.0 ($\pm10.80$) to 80.3 ($\pm16.78$) and the KSS score was 81.9 ($\pm16.74$) at the final follow-up. The acromio-humeral distance was 6.6 cm ($\pm1.74$) preoperatively and 6.2 cm ($\pm1.69$) postoperatively without significant change (p=0.3874). The degenerative changes had no statistically progressed (p=0.2663). Conclusion: Partial repair for massive rotator cuff injury patients showed improvement in the clinical score without progression of arthritic change at a mean of 2.3 years follow-up.

• 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.17 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2014

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) is not single disease entity but one phase of disease spectrum. Symptoms of PTRCT vary from being asymptomatic to severe pain leading to deterioration in quality of life. Pathogenesis of degenerative PTRCT is multifactorial. Whereas articular sided PTRCT is usually caused by internal causes, both internal and external causes have important role in bursal sided PTRCT. A detailed history, clinical examination and magnetic resonance angiography are used in the diagnosis of PTRCT. Treatment of PTRCT is chosen based on age, demands of patients, causes and depth of tear. In most patients, non-operative treatment should be initiated. Whereas debridement can be done for less than 6 mm of articular sided PTRCT and in less than 3 mm of bursal sided PTRCT, repair techniques should be considered for higher grade PTRCT than that. Although the effect of acromioplasty is not clear, acromioplasty may be performed when the extrinsic causes appear to be the cause of tear. Either transtendon repair technique or repair after tear completion provided satisfactory clinical outcomes in treatment of articular sided PTRCT.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.112-117
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• 2008

Purpose: This study prospectively evaluated the outcome of arthroscopic transtendinous repair as a treatment for partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff. Materials and Methods: Fifteen patients with symptomatic, partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff underwent modified transtendinous repair. The patient's mean age was 52.5 years and the mean duration of symptoms was 33.7 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the ASES score, the active ROM of the shoulder and the patient's satisfaction were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively. The clinical results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Results: The mean VAS was $6.6\pm1.1$ before treatment and $0.4\pm0.6$ at 6 month, and the ASES scores for all the patients were significantly better over the six-month period of follow-up (p<0.05). The mean active ROM in abduction was $94.3\pm22.3$ before treatment, $108.7\pm16.3$ at 1 month (p=0.0041) and $164.3\pm5.3$ at six months (p=0.0006). In flexion, it was $105.0\pm23.8$ before treatment, $119.0\pm17.4$ at 1 month(p=0.0075) and $174.3\pm5.3$ at six months (p=0.0006). At the final follow-up, 94% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied after operation. Conclusion: We experienced satisfactory clinical results after a short-term follow-up of arthroscopic transtendinous repair, and we believed this to be an effective procedure for patients with partial articular side tears of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was performed to assess the usefulness of non-anatomical repair for irreparable large and massive rotator cuff tears by the arthroscopic margin convergence technique. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients were followed up more than 1 year after non-anatomical repair for irreparable large and massive rotator cuff tears using the arthroscopic margin convergence technique. The clinical evaluation was performed according to the KSS score, the UCLA score and the Visual analogue scale (VAS). The measurement of the acromio-humeral distance was performed using the shoulder anterior-posterior radiographs. The measurement of fatty degeneration and the healing status was performed using the shoulder MRI after 6 months. Results: Among twenty-two patients, follow up MRI was performed in eleven cases. Three cases were well healed, four cases were partial healed and another four cases were re-torn. The KSS and UCLA scores had significantly improved from a preoperative average of 45.0${\pm}$8.014 and 10.8${\pm}$2.302 points to 77.1${\pm}$10.151 and 30.0${\pm}$1.521 points, respectively, and the pain VAS had decreased from a preoperative average of 7.7${\pm}$0.616 points to 3.0${\pm}$1.021 points at the last follow up. Less favorable results were obtained when the patient had a grade of fatty degeneration higher than grade 3 on the preoperative MRI. Conclusion: Non-anatomical repair for irreparable large and massive rotator cuff tears by the arthroscopic margin convergence technique showed good functional results. It seems to be one of the effective treatment methods for irreparable large and massive rotator cuff tears.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2005

Partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs) are now a well-established clinical entity, yrt there is no consensus in regards to surgical management. Recommended treatment varies widely from simple debridement of the torn tendon to subacromial decompression to excision of the degenerative tendon and repair. Surgery may be performed using an open, arthroscopically assisted (miniopen), or entirely arthroscopic procedure. The advantages and disadvantages of open and arthroscopic procedures may lie in the balance between precision and morbidity. Visualization of both the articular and bursal surfaces is mandatory to determine the level of rotator cuff disease and formulate a treatment strategy. Because these tear often are secondary finding, recognition of the primary pathology is critical. Treatment of the primary problem usually remedies the partial tear. However, when there is significant PTRCT, an arthroscopic or open repair of the diseased tendon will give the most consistent results.