• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.127-133
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• 2014

Heterotopic ossification (HO) within the substance of the subscapularis tendon is a rare lesion which remains a poorly described condition with little known of the exact mechanisms involved. Furthermore, its clinical importance remains still unclear. To our knowledge, there are no studies present to data regarding HO within the substance of the subscapularis tendon, even with resultant isolated complete tear of the subscapularis tendon. Here we present a case of huge HO associated with unusual isolated complete tear of subscapularis tendon concomitant with tear of biceps long head tendon. After arthroscopic debridement for the complete tear site of biceps long head tendon, mini-open excision of the ossification and subscapularis repair with suture anchor fixation were performed. The patient showed complete recovery of strength and function of the subscapularis at subsequent 24 months follow up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.366-372
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• 2023

Background: There is minimal literature on the morphology of partial distal biceps tendon (DBT) tears. We sought to investigate tear morphology by retrospectively reviewing 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) scans of elbows with partial DBT tears and to propose a basic classification system. Methods: 3T MRI scans of elbows with partial DBT tears were retrospectively reviewed by two experienced observers. Basic demographic data were collected. Tear morphology was recorded including type, presence of retraction (>5 mm), and presence of discrete long-head and short-head tendons at the DBT insertion. Results: For analysis, 44 3T MRI scans of 44 elbows with partial DBT tears were included. There were 9 isolated long-head tears (20%), 13 isolated short-head tears (30%), 2 complete long-head tears with a partial short-head tear (5%), 5 complete short-head tears with a partial long-head tear (11%), and 15 peel-off tears (34%). Retraction was seen in 5 or 44 partial tears (11%), and 13 of the 44 DBTs were bifid tendons at the insertion (30%). Conclusions: Partial DBT tears can be classified into five sub-types: long-head isolated tears, short-head isolated tears, complete long-head tears with partial short-head involvement, complete short-head tears with partial long-head involvement, and peel-off tears. Classification of tears may have implications for operative and non-operative management. Level of evidence: III.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.5-9
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• 2004

Purpose: To identify associated findings in glenohumeral joint in rotator cuff tear and evaluate its clinical significance, we examined minor and major changes during arthroscopic or mini open repair. Materials & Methods: We reviewed 66 patients of rotator cuff tear treated from March, 2001 to January, 2004. Of 38 cases of small to medium tear, average age was 53 years old and involved in dominant arm in 27 cases. Of 28 cases of large to massive tear, average age was 58 years old and involved in dominant arm in 26 cases. Minor and major associated changes of the glenohumeral joint were evaluated in the tendon of biceps long head, biceps pulley, cartilage of the glenoid and humeral head, labrum and synovium. Results: Minor changes in biceps tendon were in 35% of cases, biceps pulley in 18%, cartilage of humeral head in 27%, cartilage of glenoid in 18%, labrum in 38%, and synovium in 42%. Major changes in biceps tendon were in 6% of cases, biceps pulley in 35%, arthritis of humeral head in 3%, arthritis of glenoid in 2%, labrum in 6%, and synovium in 21 %. Major changes in biceps tendon were 5% in Group I and 7% in Group Ⅱ(p>0.05) and in biceps pulley, 18% and 57% in each (P<0.05). Minor changes of arthritis were prevalent in glenoid cartilage and major changes were more prevalent in humeral head. There were no differences in minor changes of labrum and synovium, but major changes were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ. Conclusion: The prevalence of intraarticular associated changes of rotator cuff tear were 63% in synovium, 54% in labrum, 53% in biceps pulley, 41% in biceps tendon, 30% in humeral head and 20% in glenoid cartilage in order. Major changes of biceps pulley, humeral head, labrum and synovium were more prevalent in Group Ⅱ.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.149-159
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• 2024

Background: In rotator cuff repair, the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB) is commonly used as graft material. However, factors influencing LHB tear severity are poorly understood, and predicting grade II LHB tears is challenging. This study aimed to identify these factors preoperatively. Methods: The demographics, medical parameters, and pain severity of 750 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery from January 2010 to February 2021 were evaluated to determine the factors associated with LHB tear severity and grade II tears. Both overall and large-to-massive rotator cuff tear (RCT) cohorts underwent ordinal and binary logistic regression analyses. Predictive accuracy for grade II LHB tears was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: In the overall cohort, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) >1 mg/L (P<0.001), subscapularis tear (P<0.001), hypothyroidism (P=0.031), and the tangent sign (P=0.003) were significantly associated with LHB tear severity, and hs-CRP>1 mg/L, subscapularis tear, and Patte retraction degree were significantly associated with grade II LHB tears (P<0.001). In the large-to-massive RCT cohort, hs-CRP>1 mg/L, hypertension, and age ≥50 years (P<0.05) were significantly associated with LHB tear severity, and hs-CRP>1 mg/L (P<0.001) and hypertension (P=0.026) were significantly associated with grade II LHB tears. In both cohorts, hs-CRP >1 mg/L demonstrated good predictive accuracy for grade II LHB tears (AUCs: 0.72 and 0.70). Conclusions: Serum hs-CRP >1 mg/L is associated with LHB tear severity and serves as a reliable predictor of grade II LHB tears, facilitating preoperative assessment of the LHB as potential graft material in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. serves as a reliable predictor of grade II LHB tears, facilitating preoperative assessment of the LHB as potential graft material in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Level of evidence: III.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2004.03a
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• pp.59-66
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• 2004

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2013

Lesions of the long head biceps tendon pulley are frequent causes of shoulder dysfunction and pain. These lesions cause instability of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHB), and intra-articular tear of the subscapularis and the supraspinatus tendon might result from them. The arthroscopic repair of these lesions has not gained widespread acceptance as an effective procedure. Predictable results can be obtained by treating these lesions more definitively with tenotomy or tenodesis. The purpose of this article is to review the anatomy and properties of the LHB pulley and to provide treatment strategies for alleviating pulley lesions.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.240-245
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• 2018

Rare cases of a congenital absence of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) have been reported, and its incidence is unknown. In a literature review of the congenital absence of the LHBT, only 1 case was associated with posterior shoulder instability and severe posterior glenoid dysplasia. This paper reports the first case of a patient with a bilateral congenital absence of the LHBT with posterior shoulder instability without glenoid dysplasia or posterior glenoid tilt. The patient experienced a traffic accident while holding the gear stick with his right hand. After the accident, a posteroinferior labral tear with paralabral cysts was detected on the magnetic resonance images. The congenital absence of the LHBT was assumed to have affected the posterior instability that possibly increased the susceptibility to a subsequent traumatic posterior inferior labral tear. This case was identified as a posterior inferior tear caused by a traumatic 'gear stick injury'.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate pathologic patterns and outcomes of treatment of a biceps tendon lesion associated with a rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 92 patients (i) who underwent surgery for a cuff tear, (ii) for whom the biceps lesion could be observed retrospectively, and (iii) had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. The pathology of biceps tendon was classified into 4 types: tenosynovitis, fraying or hypertrophy, tear, and instability. All but the 4 with massive cuff tears were repaired. The biceps lesions were treated with debridement in 30, tenotomy in 10, tenodesis in 8, and recentering in 4. UCLA scoring was used for clinical results. Results: Seventy patients had a biceps lesion, 19 tenosynovitis, 22 fraying or hypertrophy, 21 a tear, and 8 instability. A biceps lesion was observed in 63% of cases of cuff tears below the medium size, and in 88% of cases with cuff tears above the large size. UCLA scores according to the pathology of the biceps lesion were 29.6 in the absence of a biceps lesion, and 28.3 in its presence. UCLA scores in patients with tenotomy or tenodesis for associated biceps tendon lesions were 28.2. Conclusion: There is a greater incidence and severity of a biceps lesion with a larger cuff tear. Therefore, the cause of a biceps lesion might be related to the cause of the cuff tear. Among the several options of treatment for biceps lesion, tenotomy or tenodesis may be particularly effective in providing pain relief.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness and functional results of open repair of massive rotator cuff tears combined with or without the tenoplasty of biceps long head. Materials and Methods: From March 2003 to August 2004, we evaluated 18 cases of the patient treated with open repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The mean age was 56 years and mean follow-up period was 15 months. We performed open repair of massive rotator cuff tears by tendon to bone repair, but in irrepairable 4 cases for tendon to bone repair performed open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head. The functional results were assessed using the Constant score, the parameters of which were pain, dialy activity, mobility, strength and satisfaction. Results: The functional results were excellent in 4 cases, good in 8 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 3 cases. And the results of open repair combined with tenoplasty of biceps long head were good in 2 cases and fair in 2 cases. Re-repair was done in 1 case for re-rupture. And the functional result of this case was fair. The 3 poor cases were suspected re-rupture, the factor of which old age and weakened rotator cuff. It was impossible to do re-repair. Conclusion: The open repair combined with or without tenoplasty of biceps long head is a useful and effective method for massive rotator cuff tear.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.165-165
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• 2008

A 27-year-old, right-hand-dominant woman with a posttraumatic anterior shoulder dislocation 3 months earlier after traYc accident presented because of pain and limited range of motion in the right shoulder. On physical examination, the patient had negative instability tests and a sulcus sign. On arthroscopic examination, a bifurcate long biceps tendon with two limbs was observed about 1 cm distal to the origin in the supraglenoid tubercle. We found no evidence of a tear in the long biceps tendon on probing, and the margin of each limb was smooth and round. Although this anatomic variant may be benign, its presence might be associated with other shoulder pathology. It is interesting to speculate whether the aberrant biceps anatomy in our patient contributed to transfer of injury at dislocation to the rotator cuff rather than to the classic anterior-inferior capsulolabral complex. In addition, recognition of the described anatomic variant on arthroscopy can aid the shoulder surgeon in focusing treatment on the actual pathology.