• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 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
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 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 Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Rotator cuff tear is a common disease that causes shoulder pain and disability. Sometimes surgical treatment is demanded and appropriate rehabilitation is also needed to provide functional recovery. This report is intended to estimate the effect of oriental treatment for the patients in rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation period. Methods : From 29th October, 2012 to 13th November, 2012, One male patient who received rotator cuff surgery was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture and herbal medication. NRS and ROM were evaluated to demonstrate the effect of treatment. Results : The patient showed the improvement in shoulder pain and ROM. Conclusion : Oriental treatments such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medication can be effective for relieving pain and increasing ROM in rotator cuff surgery rehabilitation period.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.339-346
• /
• 2022

Rotator cuff tear is the most common cause of shoulder pain in middle-age and older people. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is the most common treatment method for rotator cuff tear. Early postoperative pain after ARCR is the primary concern for surgeons and patients and can affect postoperative rehabilitation, satisfaction, recovery, and hospital day. There are numerous methods for controlling postoperative pain including patient-controlled analgesia, opioid, interscalene block, and local anesthesia. Regional blocks including interscalene nerve block, suprascapular nerve block, and axillary nerve block have been successfully and commonly used. There is no difference between interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) and suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) in pain control and opioid consumption. However, SSNB has fewer complications and can be more easily applied than ISB. Combination of axillary nerve block with SSNB has a stronger analgesic effect than SSNB alone. These regional blocks can be helpful for postoperative pain control within 48 hours after ARCR surgery.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.323-329
• /
• 2023

Rotator cuff tear is a common shoulder injury that compromises both function and quality of life. Despite the prevalence of the injury and advancements in repair techniques, a significant percentage of these repairs fail. This review aims to explore the multifactorial reasons behind this failure, including the degenerative nature of the rotator cuff tendon, inherent and extrinsic factors, and the role of hypoxia in tissue degeneration. Additionally, it elucidates potential strategies for improving healing outcomes.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2006

Purpose: To evaluate the integrity of repair & technical tip in use of Massive Cuff Stitch at arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: Twenthy-nine cases of arthroscopically repaired full thickness tear of rotator cuffs which are medium sized were evaluated. Between December 2004 to September 2005 we have studied, the average age 53($42{\sim}69$) years old, mean follow-up was 15($12{\sim}21$) months. We analyzed the results statistically by paired t-test. The integrity of repair were verified by follow up MRI which were checked 11 cases and ultrasound which were checked 10 cases. Results: VAS of pain improved preoperative average 7.1 to postoperative 0.9, ADL improved 11.2 to 25.6 respectively, UCLA improved 13.7 to 32.9(all, P<0.05). 89.7% showed excellent & good results at the final follow-up. The satisfied rate was 93.1%(27 cases). There was re-rupture of the repaired rotator cuff in one case out of 11 cases which were checked by MRI, and in one case out of 10 cases which were checked by ultrasound, and there was one case of thinning of cuff which were checked by ultrasound. Conclusion: The use of Massive Cuff Stitch in arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tear have been reduced technical failure. It will be good surgical technique which maintain the integrity of repairs.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.250-255
• /
• 1998

Purpose of the study was to analyze the supraspinatus outlet image of sagittal MRI in rotator cuff disease. We analyzed the sagittal views of the shoulder MRI of 78 cases without cuff tear. The cases were divided into 51 cases of rotator cuff disease group and 27 cases of control group. Six parameters of acromial tilt, coracoacromial ligament angle, length and height of coracoacromial triangle, length of acromial side of the baseline and distance of intrusion of the humeral head were compared for each group. The distance of intrusion of the humeral head was the most significantly different one, 0.52cm for rotator cuff disease group and 0.15cm for control group. Intrusion of the humeral head to the supraspinatus outlet space from the bottom may be a contributing factor developing rotator cuff disease. The intrusion may precede to tearing of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.110-114
• /
• 1999

We reviewed the results of arthroscopic surgery in patients with rotator cuff disease. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression(ASD) was performed on 22 patients with rotator cuff disease who had not responded to nonoperative measures. In the patients who had a complete tear of the rotator cuff(four of ten Neer's stage III patients), mini-open repair also was performed. Results were determined by questioning patients about their satisfaction with the outcome of surgery and by functional assessment of the shoulder with the parameters of pain, function, and range of motion according to the UCLA shoulder rating scale. The average follow-up was 21 months. The results were sixteen(72%) excellent, three(14%) good, two(9%) fair, and one(5%) poor. The following variables were analyzed to assess their influence on final outcome; duration of preoperative symptoms, Neer's stage(extent of damage to the cuff), type of acromion. Satisfactory results were achieved in thirteen of fourteen patients(93%) who had duration of preoperative symptoms below one year, and in four of six(67%) above 2 years. And satisfactory results were achieved in eleven of twelve patients(92%) who had Neer's stage II and in eight of ten(80%) stage III and achieved in six of seven patients(86%) who had Bigliani's acromion type I, in nine of eleven(82%) type II, and in four of four(100%) type III. There are multiple factors that may influence the recovery after ASD or the eventual outcome. However, although there is still a controversy about the pathogenesis of rotator cuff disease, We found that arthroscopic subacromial decompression and mini-open repair in patients with rotator cuff disease were well enough documented to be considered a standard treatment.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.105-108
• /
• 2020

Stress fractures of the acromion and scapular spine are well-known complications following reverse total shoulder arthroplasty. However, these fractures in patients with massive rotator cuff tear or cuff tear arthropathy are extremely rare, and the pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of these fractures are poorly understood. We report a case of bilateral stress fracture of the posterior angle of the acromion in a patient with massive rotator cuff tear and discuss the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, and treatment with a review of the literature.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.246-251
• /
• 2018

Compared to single row repair, use of lateral row anchors in suture bridge rotator cuff repair enhances repair strength and increases footprint contact area. If a lateral knotless anchor (push-in design) is inserted into osteoporotic bone, pull-out of the lateral row anchor can developed. However, failures of lateral row anchors have been reported at several months after surgery. In our cases, even though complete cuff healing occurred, delayed pull-out of the lateral row anchor in the suture bridge repair occurred. In comparison to a conventional medial anchor, further biomechanical evaluation of the pull-out force, design, and insertion angle of the lateral anchor is needed in future studies. We report three cases with delayed pull-out of lateral row anchor in suture bridge rotator cuff repair with a literature review.