• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.70-78
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• 2019

Background: This study evaluated postoperative changes in the supraspinatus from time-zero to 6 months, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We hypothesized that restoration of the musculotendinous unit of the rotator cuff by tendon repair immediately improves the rotator cuff muscle status, and maintains it months after surgery. Methods: Totally, 76 patients (29 men, 47 women) with rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs were examined. MRI evaluation showed complete repair with intact integrity of the torn tendon at both time-zero and at 6 months follow-up. All patients underwent standardized MRI at our institution preoperatively, at 1 or 2 days postoperative, and at 6 months after surgery. Supraspinatus muscular (SSP) atrophy (Thomazeau grade) and fatty infiltrations (Goutallier stage) were evaluated by MRI. The cross-sectional area of SSP in the fossa was also measured. Results: As determined by MRI, the cross-sectional area of SSP significantly decreased 11.41% from time-zero (immediate repair) to 6 months post-surgery, whereas the Goutallier stage and Thomazeau grade showed no significant changes (p<0.01). Furthermore, compared to the preoperative MRI, the postoperative MRI at 6 months showed a no statistically significant increase of 8.03% in the cross-sectional area. In addition, morphological improvements were observed in patients with high grade Goutallier and Thomazeau at time-zero, whereas morphology of patients with low grade factors were almost similar to before surgery. Conclusions: Our results indicate that cross-sectional area of the initial repair appears to decrease after a few months postoperatively, possibly due to medial retraction or strained muscle.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2015

Rotator cuff tear is a common reason for shoulder pain. Although the surgical technique of rotator cuff repair is developing, high retear rate requires additional supplementary methods. Among these supplementary methods, as a kind of biologic augmentation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been spotlighted and has recently been studied by many researchers. PRP, a concentrate of platelet extract obtained from whole blood, contains numerous growth factors. As this is known to play an important role in the tissue recovery process, it had been used for research in a variety of fields including orthopedics. Use of PRP has been attempted in surgical treatments of rotator cuff tear for better results; however, only a few large-scale research studies on the effect of PRP have been reported. Clinical results of each study are also variable. Therefore research using large-scale randomized, double-blind trials should be conducted in order to prove the application range, safety, and clinical effects of PRP.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.42-45
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• 2017

One of the most important factors leading to a successful healing of rotator cuff tear is good bone quality to secure the suture anchor in the bone for a stable fixation. However, rotator cuff tear are commonly found in elderly patients, and their proximal humerus often shows osteoporosis or cystic lesions. Especially when the transosseous repair prevails for a torn rotator cuff, a weak metaphyseal cancellous bone is often the case, which associated with difficulty in stable fixation of the lateral row suture anchor. In this situation, we were able to augment the lateral row fixation with polymethylmethacrylate bone cement. Although there is a concern of disturbance in the blood flow and healing potential, our case showed good clinical results with respect to healing. If we suspect a weak fixation of the lateral row suture anchor, bone cement seems to be a good option for augmentation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.323-329
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• 2023

Rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that compromises both function and quality of life. Despite the prevalence of the injury and advancements in repair techniques, a significant percentage of these repairs fail. This review aims to explore the multifactorial reasons behind this failure, including the degenerative nature of the rotator cuff tendon, inherent and extrinsic factors, and the role of hypoxia in tissue degeneration. Additionally, it elucidates potential strategies for improving healing outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Background: The purposes of the study were to examine rotator cuff tendon degeneration with respect to harvesting location, to determine a rationale for debridement of the torn end, and thus, to determine adequate debridement extent. Methods: Twenty-four patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were included in the study. Tendon specimens were harvested during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from three locations; from torn ends after minimal regularization of fraying (native end group, NE group), from torn ends after complete freshening of the frayed end (freshened end group, FE group), and from the macroscopically intact portion just distal to the musculotendinous junction (musculotendinous junction group, MTJ group). Control samples were harvested from patients admitted for surgery for proximal humerus fracture. Harvested samples were evaluated using a semi-quantitative grading scale. Results: Mean total degeneration scores in the NE group ($13.3{\pm}3.21$), the FE group ($12.5{\pm}2.30$), and in the MTJ group ($10.8{\pm}3.10$) were significantly higher than those in the normal control group ($5.0{\pm}2.87$; all p<0.001). Mean total degeneration score in the NE group was significantly higher than that in the MTJ group (p=0.012), but was not from that of the FE group. Mean total degeneration score in the FE group was not significantly different from that of the MTJ group. Conclusions: Tendon degeneration exists throughout the entire tendon to the macroscopically intact portion of full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Therefore, aggressive debridement to grossly normal appearing, bleeding tendon is unnecessary for enhancing healing after repair.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 1999.03a
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• pp.104-107
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• 1999

$\cdot$ Although the surgical repair of massive tears of the rotator cuff is demanding procedure, the results are rewarding if technical principles are strictly followed $\cdot$ But structual healing does not parallel to technically successful repair of tears . Alternatives to direct repair might be considered for irrepairable massive tears

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2016

Background: Management of massive rotator cuff tears can be challenging because of the less satisfactory results and a higher retear rate regardless of the use of open or arthroscopic repair technique. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 cases of massive rotator cuff tear treated with either open or arthroscopic repair. Open repair was performed in 38 patients; and arthroscopic repair, in 64 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.7 years in the open group and 57.6 years in the arthroscopic group. Results: The Constant score increased from the preoperative mean of 55.9 to 73.2 at the last follow-up in the open repair group and from 53.8 to 67.6 in the arthroscopic repair group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score increased from a preoperative mean of 17.7 to 30.8 at the last follow-up in the open group and from 17.5 to 28.7 in the arthroscopic group (p<0.001 and <0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference in the Constant and UCLA scores was observed between the two groups at the last follow-up (p=0.128 and 0.087, respectively). Retear was found in 14 patients (36.8%) in the open group and 39 patients (60.9%) in the arthroscopic group (p=0.024). Conclusions: Open and arthroscopic repairs of massive rotator cuff tears may provide satisfactory clinical results with no significant difference. However, a significantly lower retear rate was observed for the open repair group compared with the arthroscopic repair group.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2006

Purpose: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears are many techniques that have been developed to improve the initial postoperative strength of the repair. There was a doubt that current arthroscopic cuff repairs using a single row of suture anchors reproduce insufficient area of the anatomic cuff insertion, and concerns about failure of fixation often lead surgeons to limit early motion. Newer technique of double-row repair in arthroscopic treatment may provide initial stronger fixation and more contact with bone at the repair site than single-row repair did. We studied the comparison between clinical outcomes of arthroscopic single- and double-row repair in cuff tears at 1year postoperatively. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 40 shoulders with single-row repair and 38 shoulders with double-row repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears between May 2002 and October 2004. Out of total 78 shoulders, 42 (54%) were male patients and 36 (46%) were female patients and the mean age at surgery was 56 years. All patients were diagnosed by physical examination and MRI. At 1year' follow-up after operation, we evaluated with the ASES and the Constant scoring system, and measured muscle power of abduction, internal and external rotation of the affected shoulder then compared with each other. Results: Mean ASES scores and Constant scores in double-row repair group improved more than single-row repair group significantly at 1year postoperatively. Muscle power of abduction and internal rotation, especially abduction power, improved more significantly in double-row repair group than in single-row repair. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair for the full thickness rotator cuff tear may be a superior technique, which showed better clinical outcomes and restoration of muscle power compared with single-row repair at relatively short period of postoperative follow-up. Restoration of footprint close to normal anatomy by double-row repair seems to play an important role in the recovery of muscle strength.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.192-196
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• 2016

Background: This study investigated the efficacy and safety of combined subacromial and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia for control of postoperative pain after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Between May 2012 and August 2014, 60 patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty and received patient-controlled analgesia were studied prospectively. Cases were divided into 2 groups: combined subacromial and intravenous infusion group (group A, 30 cases) and solitary intravenous infusion group (group B, 30 cases). The visual analogue scale was used to record the patient's level of pain every 12 hours during postoperative 72 hours and the following 48 hours after the suspension of patient-controlled analgesia. Results: The mean preoperative visual analogue scale score was 7.8 in group A and 7.6 in group B, and the immediate postoperative visual analogue scale score was 7.9 and 8.1 for each group. At postoperative time (From 12 hours to 72 hours after operation), the scores of combined subacromial and intravenous infusion were significantly lower than those of solitary intravenous infusion. Significant difference in the frequency of supplemental analgesic injections was observed between group A and group B (p=0.008). However, no significant difference in complication rate was observed between the two groups (p=0.562). Conclusions: Combined subacromial and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is more effective than solitary intravenous infusion without significantly increasing complications. Therefore, combined subacromial and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia could be a effective pain control method.

• 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.