• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2014

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) is not single disease entity but one phase of disease spectrum. Symptoms of PTRCT vary from being asymptomatic to severe pain leading to deterioration in quality of life. Pathogenesis of degenerative PTRCT is multifactorial. Whereas articular sided PTRCT is usually caused by internal causes, both internal and external causes have important role in bursal sided PTRCT. A detailed history, clinical examination and magnetic resonance angiography are used in the diagnosis of PTRCT. Treatment of PTRCT is chosen based on age, demands of patients, causes and depth of tear. In most patients, non-operative treatment should be initiated. Whereas debridement can be done for less than 6 mm of articular sided PTRCT and in less than 3 mm of bursal sided PTRCT, repair techniques should be considered for higher grade PTRCT than that. Although the effect of acromioplasty is not clear, acromioplasty may be performed when the extrinsic causes appear to be the cause of tear. Either transtendon repair technique or repair after tear completion provided satisfactory clinical outcomes in treatment of articular sided PTRCT.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.72-79
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• 2003

Purpose: To compare the results of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression in partial thickness rotator cuff tear (PTRCT) with those in full thickness rotator cuff tear (FTRCT). Subjects and method: Of the 46 patients who were rested of the rotator cuff tear based on the operational findings, 42 patients who were able to receive a serial follow-up for 2 years were selected as the study subjects. The average age of the patients at the time of the operation was 55 years, and the mean duration of the follow-up was 34 months. The subjects included 22 cases of PTRCT and 20 cases of FTRCT. In terms of rotator cuff repair, the average number of tendon to tendon repair (TTR) was 1 in both PTRCT and FTRCT, and that of tendon to bone repair (TBR) was 1 and 3 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The average number of use of suture anchor was 1 and 2 in PTRCT and FTRCT, respectively. The level of shoulder pain and function of the subjects were measured using shoulder functional evaluation score of American shoulder and elbow society (ASES score) at before and 2 years following the operation. Results: At the final follow-up following the operation, PTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.2 to 0.9 on average pain score and 34 to 91 on ASES score, whereas FTRCT group showed changes in scores from 7.6 to 1.2 on pain score and 29 to 88 on ASES score. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The average range of motion of shoulder significantly increased in both groups at the final follow-up in comparison with the pre-operative time point. The evaluation at the final follow-up showed that 93% of the total subjects showed good or excellent results, and 95％ showed satisfactory results from the procedure with regard to pain reduction and functional outcomes. Two cases of the 3 fair results were caused by acromioclavicular arthritis. Conclusion: It may be anticipated that arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and subacromial decompression may bring satisfactory post-operative outcomes in both PTRCT and FTRCT on pain relief and functional recovery. However, careful preoperative examination of the acromioclavicular joint is critical to avoid failures of these procedures.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2005

Partial thickness rotator cuff tears (PTRCTs) are now a well-established clinical entity, yrt there is no consensus in regards to surgical management. Recommended treatment varies widely from simple debridement of the torn tendon to subacromial decompression to excision of the degenerative tendon and repair. Surgery may be performed using an open, arthroscopically assisted (miniopen), or entirely arthroscopic procedure. The advantages and disadvantages of open and arthroscopic procedures may lie in the balance between precision and morbidity. Visualization of both the articular and bursal surfaces is mandatory to determine the level of rotator cuff disease and formulate a treatment strategy. Because these tear often are secondary finding, recognition of the primary pathology is critical. Treatment of the primary problem usually remedies the partial tear. However, when there is significant PTRCT, an arthroscopic or open repair of the diseased tendon will give the most consistent results.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide the clinical outcomes of arthroscopic type II SLAP repair in non-athletes, and to compare the clinical outcomes between those who had isolated type II SLAP lesion and those who had combined partial thickness supraspinatus tear that did not required a combined repair. Materials and Methods: From July 2005 to January 2007, 142 consecutive type II SLAP lesions were treated with arthroscopic surgery. The inclusion criteria for the study were; (1) younger than 50 years old; and (2) non-athletes. Exclusion criteria were; (1) prior surgery, fracture or combined recurrent dislocation history on the affected shoulder; (2) combined full thickness rotator cuff tear or PTST (>50% thickness) patient that needed repair; and (3) combined infection, arthritis or inflammatory disease. Remaining 19 patients meet the criteria. Among them, 13 had combined PTRCT that did not require repair (Group I), and 6 had isolated type II SLAP lesion without combined supraspinatus tear (Group II). The mean age was 36.7 years (29~49 years), mean symptom duration was 39.1 months (3~216 months) and mean follow-up was 19.0 months (12~27 months). In all patients, the range of motion of affected shoulder, pain and function visual analogue scale (PVAS, FVAS), the Constant score and UCLA score were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: In group I, external rotation at side was decreased significantly (p=0.003),but there were no statistical significant change at the remains(p>0.05). And there were no differences between groups (p>0.05). At the final follow-up, all clinical outcome measurements improved after surgery with statistical significance (p<0.05): UCLA score, $22.8{\pm}5.2$ to $32.8{\pm}2.1$; Constant score, $79.4{\pm}8.6$ to $94.9{\pm}4.3$; PVAS $5.4{\pm}2.7$ to $1.1{\pm}1.4$; FVAS $63.2{\pm}15.3$ to $93.4{\pm}7.3$. But, in group comparison of the mean UCLA score and Constant score, there were no statistical significant differences between two groups. Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of type II SLAP lesion provided good clinical outcomes in nonathletic population. Combined partial thickness supraspinatus tear does not seem to hamper the final outcome at minimal 1 year follow-up.