• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.212-220
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• 1998

Concomitant ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna are uncommon combined injury and are also called "floating elbow". It was found that this injury was usually a result of rather severe trauma and frequently associated injuries to other organ systems. It is controversial in the treatment of the "floating elbow", but the current treatment recommendations are open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. The authors reviewed thirteen cases of ipsilateral fractures of the humerus, radius and ulna treated in our clinic from January 1992 to March 1997, and average follow-up period was over 18 months(range, 12 to 36 months). The results obtained were as follows; 1. The most common cause of injury was traffic accident and most common location of fractures was mid-third in both humerus and forearm. 2. The shape of fractures was transverse or comminuted in most cases. 3. The good clinical results were obtained by open reduction and internal fixation of both the humerus and the forearm fracture with early initiation of range of motion exercises. 4. The recovery was affected by the severity of the initial trauma and method of the treatment. 5. According to the Lange and Foster method, the functional result was good in 8 cases, fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 cases.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.41-49
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• 2015

Free or pedicled vascularized fibular grafts (VFG) are useful for the reconstruction of large skeletal defects, particularly in cases of scarred or avascular beds, or in patients with combined bone and soft tissue defects. Compared to non-VFG, VEG, which contains living osteocytes and osteoblasts, maintains its own viability and serves as good osteoconductive and osteoinductive graft. Due to its many structural and biological advantages, the free fibular osteo- or osteocutaneous graft is considered the most suitable autograft for the reconstruction of long bone defects in the injured extremity. The traditional indication of VFG is the long bone and soft tissue defect, which cannot be reconstructed using a conventional operative method. Recently, the indications have been widely expanded not only for defects of midtibia, humerus, forearm, distal femur, and proximal tibia, but also for the arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joints. Because of its potential to allow further bone growth, free fibular epiphyseal transfer can be used for the hip or for distal radius defects caused by the radical resection of a tumor. The basic anatomy and surgical techniques for harvesting the VFG are well known; however, the condition of the recipient site is different in each case. Therefore, careful preoperative surgical planning should be customized in every patient. In this review, recently expanded surgical indications of VFG and surgical tips based on the author's experiences in the issues of fixation method, one or two staged reconstruction, size mismatching, overcoming the stress fracture, and arthrodesis of shoulder and knee joint using VFG are discussed with the review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.273-276
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• 2009

A 54-year-old man experienced injury to the second finger of his left hand due to damage from a paintball gun shot 8 years prior, and the metacarpo-phalangeal joint was amputated. He gradually developed mechanical allodynia and burning pain, and there were trophic changes of the thenar muscle and he reported coldness on his left hand and forearm. A neuroma was found on the left second common digital nerve and was removed, but his symptoms continued despite various conservative treatments including a morphine infusion pump on his left arm. We therefore attempted median nerve stimulation to treat the chronic pain. The procedure was performed in two stages. The first procedure involved exposure of the median nerve on the mid-humerus level and placing of the electrode. The trial stimulation lasted for 7 days and the patient's symptoms improved. The second procedure involved implantation of a pulse generator on the left subclavian area. The mechanical allodynia and pain relief score, based on the visual analogue scale, decreased from 9 before surgery to 4 after surgery. The patient's activity improved markedly, but trophic changes and vasomotor symptom recovered only moderately. In conclusion, median nerve stimulation can improve chronic pain from complex regional pain syndrome type II.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of limb reconstruction and functional recovery using vascularized fibular graft in the treatment of extensive bone defect of long bone caused by various diseases. Materials and Methods: From september 1995 to March 2005, 21 patients with segmental bone defects were managed with vascularized fibular graft: 13 males and 8 females, aged 39 years on average (range, $8{\sim}65\;years$). The reconstructed site was the humerus in 9 patients, the femur in 5, the tibia in 4 and the forearm bone in 3. The length of bone defect ranged from $8{\sim}17\;cm$. Results: Twenty grafts were successful. The mean period to obtain radiographic bone union was 5.7 months on average. Conclusion: Fibular grafts allow the use of a segment of diaphyseal bone and of sufficient length to reconstruct most skeletal defects of the long bone. The vascularized fibular graft is indicated in patients with intractable nonunions where conventional bone grafting has failed or large bone defects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.607-614
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• 2023

Clear overlapping of the bilateral epicondyle and proper separation of the elbow joint are crucial for obtaining accurate lateral general radiographs of the elbow. However, due to the complex anatomical structure of the elbow, achieving optimal positioning is challenging, leading to the need for repeated x-ray examinations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the angle of the forearm in patients where accurate lateral images of the elbow joint can't be obtained after vertical incidence using a styrofoam device during elbow joint lateral x-ray imaging. Twenty patients were enrolled in our study following the established protocol. First, a vertical x-ray at an angle of 0° between the forearm and the table was taken (control group). Here, if the lateral image of the elbow joint was deemed inadequate, the forearm angle was adjusted using custom-made styrofoam supports with 5° and 10° inclinations (experimental groups). For the evaluation method, two assessors utilized a 5-point Likert scale to assess the images. The reliability of the assessments was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. As a result, patients with inadequate overlap of the bilateral epicondyle and separation of the elbow joint in the initial examination (control group) were able to obtain the best images when setting a 10° angle between the forearm and the table. The subjective evaluation was 1.6 ± 0.8 points at 0°, 2.7 ± 0.8 points at 5°, and 4.4 ± 1.3 points at 10°, respectively. The reliability analysis for the angles of 0°, 5°, and 10° yielded Cronbach's alpha values of 0.867, 0.697, and 0.922, respectively. In conclusion, when it is not possible to obtain accurate images using the conventional position and X-ray beam direction, it is considered that by initially acquiring images with an angle of 10° between the forearm and the table, and gradually decreasing the angle while obtaining images, it would be possible to achieve the optimal image while reducing the number of repeat examinations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2024

The elbow joint is made up of three different bones. X-rays or other radiological exams are commonly used to diagnose elbow injuries or disorders caused by physical activity and external forces. Previous research on the elbow joint reported a new examination method that meets the imaging evaluation criteria in the tilt position by Z-axis elevation of the forearm. Therefore, this study aims to design an optimized instrument and develop an aid applicable to other upper extremity exams. After completing the 2D drawing and 3D modeling design, the final design divided into four parts was fabricated with a 3D printer using ABS plastic and assembled. The developed examination aid consists of a four-stage Z-axis elevation tilt angle function (0°, 5°, 10°, and 15°) and can rotate and fixate 360° in 1-degree increments. It was designed to withstand a maximum equivalent stress of 56.107 Pa and a displacement of 1.6548e-5 mm through structural analysis to address loading issues caused by cumulative frequency of use and physical utilization. In addition to X-ray exams of the elbow joint, the developed aid can be used for shoulder function tests by rotating the humerus and also be applied to MRI and CT exams as it is made of non-metallic materials. It will contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of medical imaging diagnosis through clinical applications of various devices and medical imaging exams in the future.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to examine the functional difference in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii by investigating the onset time of muscle contractions in the biceps brachii in the supination motion according to whether the flexor of the elbow joint is excluded. Methods: This study was conducted with 21 healthy men aged in their 20s. While performing forearm pronation at an elbow flexion angle of 90 degrees, the onset time of muscle contractions in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii was measured and compared in a posture where the humerus is placed on a table and the posture is lifted against gravity. Using an independent samples t-test, the difference in the onset time of muscle contractions in the long and short heads of the biceps brachii was analyzed. Results: The onset time of the long head was shorter if the flexor activity of the elbow joint was excluded, while that of the short head of the biceps brachii was shorter if it was not excluded. Conclusion: It is noted that the long head of the biceps brachii mainly functions as a supinator muscle, while the short head of the biceps brachii plays a role in stabilizing and maintaining flexion of the elbow joint.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 1993

From 1981 to 1991, twenty one vascularized bone grafts had been performed for the treatment of large bone defects of the extremities, with average follow-up of 65.4 months. Fibulae were used in 15 patients Including two cases of osteocutaneous flap, iliums in 5 including two of osteocutaneous flap, and osteocutneous rib in one. Ten of these patients were treated for segmental defects derived from trauma or infection sequelae of long bones, while eight for locally aggressive benign or malignant bone tumors ; and three for congenital pseudarthrosis of tibia. The location of the lesions were 8 cases in tibia; 7 in humerus ; 3 in forearm bone ; 2 in foot ; and 1 in femur. The length of bone defects were averaged as 10 cm, ranging from 3 to 17.5. In eighteen patients(85.7%), the operation was successful. The duration from operation to bony union was average 5.1 months on successful cases, and three of them needed additional procedures, such as bone graft and electrical stimulation to promote bony union. Local recurrence was found in one case of chondrosarcoma, resulting in AK amputation. Wound infections were noted each one case on donor or recipient site. In five cases, the fracture of grafted bone, which united with cast immobilization in four, occurred average 16.7 months after operation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.331-372
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• 2003

The purpose of study was to evaluate effects of low-intensity ultrasound and laser on healing of bone fracture. Twenty fracture patient were selected for this study(fourteen males, six females. mean aged 44.8) fracture area was humerus, tibia, forearm bones. The obtain result are as follows. 1. The result of this study were following that pain score was significantly reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in male(P<.001). 2. The result of this study were following that pain score was significantly reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in female(P<.001). 1. The result of this study were following that pain score was not appeared reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in male and female(P<.001). 4. The result of this study were following that pain score was not appeared pre intervention compared with post intervention in male between age(P<.001). 5. The result of this study were following that pain score was not appeared pre intervention compared with post intervention in female between age (P<.001). 6. The result of this study were following that radiologic score was significantly reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in male(P<.001). 7. The result of this study were following that radiologic score was significantly reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in female(P<.001). 8. The result of this study were following that radiologic score was not appeared reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention in male and female(P<.001). 9. The result of this study were following that radiologic score was not appeared pre intervention compared with post intervention in male between ages(P<.001). 10. The result of this study were following that radiologic score was not appeared pre intervention compared with post intervention in female between ages(P<.001). 11. The result of this study were following that healing on fracture area was observed that reduced pre intervention compared with post intervention

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 1995

With the development of anticancer chemotherapy and improved radiographic imaging studies, limb salvage operation became possible in the treatment of malignant and aggressive benign tumors. High grade sarcomas of the shoulder or the upper extremity can be surgically treated with a forequarter amputation, shoulder disarticulation or limb salvage surgery such as Tikhoff-Linberg procedure, segmental resection and replacement with endoprosthesis, segmental resection and replantation, or segmental resection and free vascularized bone graft. Among them the limb salvage surgery showed not only preservation of the remained upper extremity but also the excellent functional results. When comparing amputation and limb salvage operation while performing anticancer chemotherapy in both cases, 5 year survival rate, local recurrence, and distant metastasis did not show much difference. We studied 13 cases of limb salvage for the malignant and aggressive benign bone tumor of the upper extremity from March 1986 to December 1993 at Severance hospital. The summarized results were as follows. 1. There were 21 cases of malignant bone tumors and 5 cases of benign aggressive ones. 2. Of the 26 cases of malignant and benign aggressive bone tumors, limb salvage procedures such as Tikhoff-Linberg operation(8 cases), endoprosthetic replacement(2 cases), segmental resection and replantation(2 cases), and segmental resection and free vascularized fibular graft(l case) were done in 13 cases. 3. In 13 patient on whom the limb salvage procedure was performed, there were 3 osteosarcomas, 4 chondrosarcomas, 3 giant cell tumors, 1 Ewing's sarcoma, 1 leiomyosarcoma and 1 chondroblastoma. 4. In 13 patients, there was no local recurrence nor distant metastasis except one who had a segmental resection of the entire humerus part including glenoid and then postoperative anticancer chemotherapy for the treatment of the Ewing's sarcoma of the entire shaft of the humerus with pathological fracture. Local recurrence occurred 2 years and 6 months postoperatively in this Ewing's sarcoma patient, so forequarter amputation was performed and the irradiation and the anticancer chemontherapy were performed, but multiple bony metastasis developed and died of the disease 22 months after local recurrence. 5. The patients were followed-up for I year to 7 years and 5 months(average 4 years 5 months). 6. In 8 cases in which Tikhoff-Linberg procedure was performed, the function of the hand was almost normal. 7. Segmental resection and endoprosthetic replacement was performed in 2 cases, and the function of the remained upper extremity was good with no evidence of aseptic loosening or nerve palsy. 8. In 1 case of segmental resection and free vascularized fibular graft for the patient of the chon drosarcoma in the humerus, the function of the shoulder, elbow and hand was nearly normal. 9. In I case of leiomyosarcoma which involved both forearm muscles and bone near wrist joint, segmental resection and replantation was performed, and the patient has useful hand function.