• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 1999

Purpose: We reviewed the SLAP lesions and associated injuries, also evaluated a hypothesis that the type II posterior SLAP lesion is related with posterior rotator cuff tear and gives rise to the postero-superior instability. Materials and Methods: The patient recording papers, MRI, video and operation sheets were reviewed with the 28 SLAP lesions confirmed by the arthroscopy among 242 cases. Among these SLAP lesions, type II was 22 cases and classified to the anterior, posterior(16 cases), combined subtype(6 cases) based on the main anatomic location. There were 14 cases of the type II accompanying rotator cuff tear. The average follow-up(13 months) results were evaluated with the ASES and Rowe rating score after repair or debridement of the SLAP lesions. Results: In the type II lesions accompanying the rotator cuff tears(14 cases), the posterior(l0 cases) and combined type(4 cases), cuff lesions were all existed posteriorly. Also We could confirm the drive-through sign in the eleven cases, though did not check the disappearance of this sign after repair because of retrospective study. We could followed up the 22 cases, 18 cases(77%) were excellent or good, fair 3 cases(14%) and poor 1 case(4%). Also, type II lesions with the rotator cuff tear(14 cases) were showed better results in the repair(8 cases) than the debridement(6 cases) of the unstable type II with the cuff repair. Conclusion: The type II lesions were frequently associated with the cuff tear in the specific location. We could presume the possibility of postero-superior instability in the SLAP lesion with the cuff injuries. Also, satisfactory results could be experienced when the unstable SLAP lesions with the cuff tear were repaired at the same time.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.222-226
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• 2006

Full-thickness rotator cuff tears are relatively uncommon in the young adults. One of the pathogenesis of such tear is thought to be closely related to the specific trauma event. Favorable outcome is expected in young patient rotator cuff tears when it is diagnosed early following prompt surgical repair. However, early detection is sometimes difficult when the acute rotator cuff tear is combined with other injuries especially around the shoulder joints such as ipsilateral humerus fractures. Authors report an uncommon case of acute traumatic rotator cuff tear accompanied by the midhumerus shaft fracture in young adult.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2019

Background: Posterior decentering is not an uncommon finding on rotator cuff tear patients' shoulder magnetic resonance imaging. No previous study has reported on the relationship between posterior decentering and rotator cuff tear. Methods: We assessed patients' rotator cuff tear humeral head positions based on humeral-scapular alignment (HSA). Subjects were classified into centering and decentering groups based on a <2 mm or >2 mm HSA value, respectively. Differences in rotator cuff tear size, degree of tear, and fatty degeneration between the two groups were evaluated. Results: One hundred seventy-five patients (80 males, 95 females; mean age: $59.7{\pm}6.5$ years old) were selected as subjects (casecontrol study; level of evidence: 3). Tear size, degree of subscapularis tendon tear, and fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis muscles were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). Conclusions: The occurrence of decentering was related to rotator cuff tear size, degree of subscapularis tendon tear, and fatty degeneration of the rotator cuff muscles.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.81-87
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to report the improvement of complex Korean Medicine treatment for patients with rotator cuff injuries and determine the clinical improvement by number of damaged lesion. Methods Forty-one patients who diagnosed with rotator cuff injury were included in the retrospective study. Patients were treated with acupuncture, electroacupuncture and pharmacopuncture. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Shoulder Pain and Disablity Index (SPADI) and EuroQol-5 Dimension Index (EQ-5D Index). Results Both NRS and SPADI scores were significantly reduced after treatment (p<0.01), but EQ-5D for assessing quality of life and clinical improvement by number of damaged lesion were no significant improvement (p>0.05). Conclusions These results show that patients with rotator cuff injuries could gain improvement from complex Korean Medicine. Further research is required to confirm the effectiveness of Korean Medicine treatment.

• 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.18 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2015

Background: Few studies have investigated magnetic resonance (MR) characteristics of traumatic posterosuperior rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. We hypothesized that traumatic rotator cuff tears may have MR characteristics distinguishable from those of non-traumatic tears. Methods: Preoperative MR arthrography and intraoperative tear size measurements were compared in 302 patients who underwent MR arthrography and subsequent arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs for traumatic (group T, 61 patients) or non-traumatic (group NT, 241 patients) tears. The inclusion criteria for both groups were posterosuperior full-thickness rotator cuff tear and age between 40 and 60 years. For group T, traumas were limited to accidental falls or slips, or sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents; injuries were associated with acute onset of pain followed by functional shoulder impairment; and time between injury and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was 6 weeks or less. Results: In group T, 72.1% of shoulders (44 patients) had tendon tears with blunt edges while 27.9% of shoulders (17 patients) had tears with tapering edges. In contrast, 21.2% of patients in group NT (51 patients) had blunt-edge tears, while 78.8% (190 patients) of tears had tapering edges. These results were statistically significant (p<0.001) and estimated odds ratio was 9.6. The size of tear did not vary significantly between groups. Conclusions: We found no exclusive MR characteristic to define traumatic tears. However, oblique coronal MRI of traumatic tears showed a significant tendency for abrupt and rough torn tendon edges and relatively consistent tendon thicknesses (without lateral tapering) compared to non-traumatic cuff tears.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.42-49
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• 2006

Purpose: This study evaluated clinical results, and recommended treatment protocol of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in the patients older than 60 years of age. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with first traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation aged over 60 years were included. The average age was 69.4 (range, 60 to 87 years). There were 8 men (average age of 71.6) and 30 women (average age of 69). Most common cause of injuries was a fall on the outstretched hand. The additional injuries were evaluated using MRI or CT arthrogram in the patients with significant pain and weakness while movements after 2 weeks sling immobilization. Results: Fifteen patients (39%) had rotator cuff tears and 5 patients (14%) had greater tuberosity fractures. The sizes of rotator cuff tears were diverse; 2 partial tears, 1 small tear, 4 medium tears, 3 large tears and 5 massive tears. Among 5 massive cuff tears, 3 patients revealed cuff arthropathy after reduction. 4 patients (11%) had recurrent dislocation more than one time during 1 month after the first dislocation. Bankart lesions revealed in 5 patients and three of them had associated rotator cuff tears. 3 out of 5 patients with Bankart lesions, 13 out of 15 patients with rotator cuff tears and 3 patients with displaced greater tuberosity fracture had operations. Conclusion: The injury mechanism of shoulder dislocation in patients older than 60 years of age seems to have either anterior or posterior mechanism. The diagnosis and treatment should be approached 2 weeks after dislocation.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.119-121
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• 2007

It has been reported that there are many cases of chronic shoulder injuries of golf players, however acute injuries at dominant tide are relatively rare. In this paper, we show a case of acute rotator cuff tears at dominant side due to bad swing in middle-aged woman. We suggest that golfers should be cautious with playing at winter to prevent acute rotator cuff tears by starting with a warm-up and correcting faulty swings.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between rotator cuff tear and nerve injury, and prevalence of nerve injury using electromyographic study. Materials and Methods: From May 2004 to Feb. 2005, 19 cases, who underwent surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tear, were evaluated for nerve injury using electomyogram instruments preoperatively. Rotator cuff tears caused by acute high energy trauma were excluded in this study. Mean age was 59 (range, 45-87) years and mean duration of symptoms was 45 (range, 1-360) month. Results: There were six nerve injuries (31.6%). All of them were incomplete brachial plexus injuries, and mainly postganglionic lesions. Four cases among them had minor trauma history. There were no significant differences in terms of cuff tear size, range of motion, pain score and functional score between groups with and without nerve injury. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence (31.6%) of nerve injury in full-thickness rotator cuff tear. So careful physical examination and evaluation for nerve injury are needed in rotator cuff tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2019

Background: The duration of immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and the optimal time to commence rehabilitation are still the subject of ongoing debates. This study was undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome and rotator cuff healing status after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early and delayed rehabilitation. Methods: Totally, 76 patients with small, medium, and large sized rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic repair using the suturebridge technique. In early rehabilitation group, 38 patients commenced passive range of motion at postoperative day 2 whereas 38 patients assigned to the delayed rehabilitation group commenced passive range of motion at postoperative week 3. At the end of the study period, clinical and functional evaluations (Constant score, the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder score) were carried out, subsequent to measuring the range of motion, visual analogue scale for pain, and isokinetic dynamometer test. Rotator cuff healing was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery. Results: No significant difference was obtained in range of motion and visual analogue scale between both groups. Functional outcomes showed similar improvements in the Constant score (early: 67.0-88.0; delayed: 66.9-91.0; p<0.001) and the UCLA shoulder score (early: 20.3-32.3; delayed: 20.4-32.4; p<0.001). Furthermore, rotator cuff healing showed no significant differences between the groups (range, 6-15 months; average, 10.4 months). Conclusions: Delayed passive rehabilitation does not bring about superior outcomes. Therefore, early rehabilitation would be useful to help patients resume their daily lives.