• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2020

Rotator cuff tear is often cited as a reason for shoulder pain and dysfunction in patients > 40 years of age. Surgical repair of rotator cuff tear is one of the most commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedures. Until now, the success rate of surgical repair for rotator cuff tear has not been satisfactory. Many factors influence the process of rotator cuff repair such as the presence of tendinosis and fatty infiltration, but the main factor is the difficulty in achieving healing at the tendon to bone interface. There is a clinical need for bioengineering approaches to promote regeneration of the native enthesis and reduce the poor outcomes after surgical repair. Toward this end, the design and fabrication of multiphasic or hierarchically structured scaffolds have received great attention. This manuscript deals with information on the tendon to bone interface and tries to find out why a multiphasic scaffold is necessary to reproduce it and considerations that need to be taken into to make an ideal scaffold.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.183-189
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• 2019

Background: Since the establishment of biological augmentation to improve the treatment of rotator cuff tears, it is imperative to explore newer techniques to reduce the retear rate and improve long-term shoulder function after rotator cuff repair. This study was undertaken to determine the consequences of a gel-type atelocollagen injection during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on clinical outcomes, and evaluate its effect on structural integrity. Methods: Between January 2014 and June 2015, 121 patients with full thickness rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Of these, 61 patients were subjected to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in combination with an atelocollagen injection (group I), and 60 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair alone (group II). The visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) scores were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at 6 months postoperatively, to assess the integrity of the repair. Results: VAS scores were significantly lower in group I than in group II at 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery. KSS scores showed no significant difference between groups in the 24 months period of follow-up. No significant difference was obtained in the healing rate of the rotator cuff tear at 6 months postoperatively (p=0.529). Conclusions: Although a gel-type atelocollagen injection results in reduced pain in patients at 2 weeks after surgery, our study does not substantiate the administration of atelocollagen during rotator cuff repair to improve the clinical outcomes and healing of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2016

The arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is now considered a mainstream technique with highly satisfactory clinical results. However, concerns remain regarding healing failures for large and massive tears and high revision rate. In recent decades, various repair strategies and construct configurations have been developed for rotator cuff repair with the understanding that many factors contribute to the structural integrity of the repaired construct. The focus of biomechanical test in arthroscopic repair has been on increasing fixation strength and restoration of the footprint contact characteristics to provide early rehabilitation and improve healing. These include repaired rotator cuff tendon-footprint motion, increased tendon-footprint contact area and pressure, and tissue quality of tendon and bone. Recent studies have shown that a transosseous tunnel technique provides improved contact area and pressure between rotator cuff tendon and insertion footprint, and the technique of using double rows of suture anchors to recreate the native footprint attachment has been recently described. The transosseous equivalent suture bridge technique has the highest contact pressure and fixation force. In this review, the biomechanical tests about repair techniques of rotator cuff tear will be reviewed and discussed.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.147-155
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the co-administration effect of atelocollagen combined with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for treatment of full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCT). Methods: Eighty patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair for full-thickness RCT from March 2018 to November 2019 were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to the following groups: combined atelocollagen and HA injection (group I, n=28), only HA injection (group II, n=26), and no injection (group III, n=26). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale pain score, functional scores (pain visual analog scale, function visual analog score), and range of motion. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed 12 months after surgery to evaluate rotator cuff integrity. Results: Preoperative demographic data and postoperative clinical outcomes did not differ significantly among the three groups (p>0.05). However, in group I, the number of steroid injections after surgery was significantly lower than that in the other groups (p=0.011). The retear rate on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was significantly higher in group II (9.5%, n=2) and group III (13.6%, n=3) than in group I (0%) (p=0.021). Conclusions: Co-administration of atelocollagen and HA improves healing of the rotator cuff and increases the integrity of the rotator cuff repair site. This study provides encouraging evidence for use of combined atelocollagen-HA injections to treat patients with full-thickness RCT.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2022

Background: Subscapularis tendon insertion at the first facet has separate layers (deep and superficial). The purpose of this study is to evaluate postoperative clinical outcomes and radiological healing according to each layer of detachment in the first facet involving subscapularis tendon tear. Methods: Eighty-three patients who underwent arthroscopic repair due to First facet involving the scapularis tendon tear accompanying small to medium sized posterosuperior cuff tear were classified into three groups (group A: deep layer partial detachment, group B: deep layer complete detachment, but no superficial layer detachment, and group C: deep layer and superficial layer complete detachment). Subscapularis tendon healing was evaluated using computed tomography arthrogram and clinical result was evaluated using American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) shoulder score, Constant score and University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score. Results: Retear rate of the subscapularis tendon was 2.2%, 18.2%, and 33.3% in group A, group B, and group C, respectively. These rates showed statistically significant difference among the three groups, which were classified by deep and superficial layer detachment in the first facet (p=0.003). Group A showed significant difference in subscapularis tendon healing compared with group B and group C (p=0.018 and p<0.001, respectively), but there was no statistical difference between group B and group C (p=0.292). Regarding clinical outcomes, there was no significant difference among three groups in ASES and UCLA score at final follow-up (p=0.070 and p=0.106, respectively). Conclusions: Complete detachment of deep layer may be related with retear occurrence regardless with detachment of superficial layer, but clinical outcome may not be related with each layer detachment in the first facet involving subscapularis tendon tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2018

Background: This study is performed to evaluate anchor-related outcomes and complications after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using 30% ${\beta}$-tricalcium phosphate (${\beta}$-TCP) with 70% poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) biocomposite suture anchors. Methods: A total of 78 patients (mean age, $61.3{\pm}6.9years$) who underwent arthroscopic medium-to-large full-thickness rotator cuff tear repair were enrolled. The technique employed 30% ${\beta}$-TCP with 70% PLGA biocomposite suture anchors at the medial row (38 patients, Healix $BR^{TM}$ anchor [Healix group]; 40 patients, Fixone anchor B [Fixone group]). The radiologic outcomes (including perianchor cyst formation or bone substitution) and anatomical outcomes of the healing failure rate were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery, the pain visual analogue scale at 3, 6 months, and final follow-up visit, and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores at least 1 year postoperatively. Anchor-related complications were also evaluated. Results: The perianchor cyst formation incidence was similar for both groups (60.5%, Healix group; 60.0%, Fixone group; p=0.967), although severe perianchor cyst incidence was slightly lower in the Fixone group (15.0%) than in the Healix group (21.1%). There was no occurrence of anchor absorption and bone substitution. No differences were observed in the healing failure rate (13.2%, Healix group; 15.0%, Fixone group; p=0.815) and functional outcome between groups (all p>0.05). Anchor breakage occurred in 5 patients (2 Healix anchors and 3 Fixone anchors); however, there were no major anchor-related complications in either group. Conclusions: No differences were observed in the clinical outcomes of the Healix and Fixone groups, neither were there any accompanying major anchor-related complications.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.167-174
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• 2010

Purpose: Anatomical repair of massive rotator cuff tear has been technically challenging because of medial retraction, muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration. Among several treatment options for massive rotator cuff tear, we reviewed rotator cuff repairs and investigated modalities for improvement of clinical outcomes, decreasing the re-tear rate, and increasing healing. Materials and Methods: Patient-related factors and rotator cuff-related factors were the two major groups of factors we considered when choosing a treatment plan. Results: Mobilization of a massive rotator cuff tear was increased by soft tissue release and by the interval slide technique. After meticulous soft tissue release, anatomical repair could be achieved. If the injury was not amenable to anatomical repair, alternative treatment options such as partial repair, the margin convergence technique and augmentation with a tenotomized biceps tendon were considered. Many reports of massive rotator cuff repair demonstrated satisfactory clinical outcomes, decreased pain, recovery of shoulder functions, and increases in muscle strength. However, the re-tear rate had been reported to be relatively high in long-term follow-up. Conclusion: Despite a high re-tear rate after massive rotator cuff repair, a better understanding of the pathogenesis, progression and clinical symptoms of massive rotator cuff tear and improved surgical materials and techniques will lead to satisfactory clinical outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2017

Background: Many hyaluronic acid (HA)-based anti-adhesive agents have been commercialized for clinical use in the pharmaceutical market. But their efficacy in arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs remains elusive. To determine their efficacy, we performed a comparative analysis of the effects of two hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)-based anti-adhesive agents, Protescal and Guardix. Methods: We recruited a total of 256 patients who had received an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair at our hospital between January 2014 and March 2015. Among them, 96 patients fulfilled the study's selection criteria and were enrolled as the final population sample. Thirty patients who had received a postoperative injection of Protescal were allocated into Group A. Another 30 patients who had received a postoperative injection of Guardix were allocated into Group B. As controls, 36 patients who did not receive any injection were allocated into Group C. The patients included in this study were aged between 19 and 75 years. For the clinical assessment, we measured the following clinical parameters-the visual analogue scale for pain (PVAS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and the constant score, as well as passive range of motions (ROMs)-at three time-points (preoperatively, 2-month postoperatively, and 6-month postoperatively). Results: We found that Group A compared to Group B tended to show a swifter recovery in passive anterior elevation and in internal rotation by the 2-month postoperative follow-up, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: We found that the effects of HA/CMC-based injections were minimal after arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.463-469
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• 2021

Objective: If non-surgical treatment fails, arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is recommended, and ARCR considers graft augmentation in consideration of size, direction, and re-tear. It is reported to have potential benefits by improving the healing rate as it can fill the gaps that have been left behind. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of structural changes observed after ARCR on muscle action through magnetic resonance imaging and to investigate the effect of appropriate physical therapy required for graft augmentation in the general ARCR rehabilitation protocol. Case presentation: A 47-year-old male hospitalized for postoperative rehabilitation following ARCR participated in a 5-week physical therapy intervention. The postoperative day was 6 months, but due to shooting pain and shoulder dysfunction,and the movement of the shoulder was compensatory motion, not normal motion. Physical agents, manual therapy, and supervised exercise for 110 minutes per session were performed 3 times a week, and pain intensity, range of motion, function, and strength were evaluated. Results: As a result of the study, the patient showed positive improvement in pain intensity, range of motion, function, and strength. In addition, normal scapulohumeral rhythm movement was observed. Conclusions: According to the results of this case, appropriate physical therapy according to the compensatory motion shown in the structural changes after ARCR can positively improve the pain intensity, range of motion, function, and strength of ARCR patients.