• 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.2 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 1999

Purpose: We reviewed the SLAP lesions and associated injuries, also evaluated a hypothesis that the type II posterior SLAP lesion is related with posterior rotator cuff tear and gives rise to the postero-superior instability. Materials and Methods: The patient recording papers, MRI, video and operation sheets were reviewed with the 28 SLAP lesions confirmed by the arthroscopy among 242 cases. Among these SLAP lesions, type II was 22 cases and classified to the anterior, posterior(16 cases), combined subtype(6 cases) based on the main anatomic location. There were 14 cases of the type II accompanying rotator cuff tear. The average follow-up(13 months) results were evaluated with the ASES and Rowe rating score after repair or debridement of the SLAP lesions. Results: In the type II lesions accompanying the rotator cuff tears(14 cases), the posterior(l0 cases) and combined type(4 cases), cuff lesions were all existed posteriorly. Also We could confirm the drive-through sign in the eleven cases, though did not check the disappearance of this sign after repair because of retrospective study. We could followed up the 22 cases, 18 cases(77%) were excellent or good, fair 3 cases(14%) and poor 1 case(4%). Also, type II lesions with the rotator cuff tear(14 cases) were showed better results in the repair(8 cases) than the debridement(6 cases) of the unstable type II with the cuff repair. Conclusion: The type II lesions were frequently associated with the cuff tear in the specific location. We could presume the possibility of postero-superior instability in the SLAP lesion with the cuff injuries. Also, satisfactory results could be experienced when the unstable SLAP lesions with the cuff tear were repaired at the same time.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine clinical results for arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear using a suture bridge technique. Materials and Methods: Between November, 2007 and October, 2008, we evaluated 90 cases of arthroscopic middle, large rotator tear cuff repair. The mean follow-up period was 15 months (range, 12-23 months). Forty-three cases had medium-sized tears; 47 cases had large-sized tears. At the preoperative stage and again at last follow-up, functional results were assessed by the KSS, ASES, UCLA and the PVAS (Pain visual analogue score). Results: Pain score improved from 2.56 preoperatively to 0.96 at final follow-up; movement scores improved from 6.94 to 1.70. At. final follow-up, the average UCLA score improved from 17.08 to 31.17 with 31 excellent (34%), 49 good (54%) and 10 poor results (12%). The final UCLA score was 31.47 in the group less than 60 years of age and 30.69 in the group over 61 years of age (p=0.344). The UCLA score was 31.23 in those with medium-sized tears and 31.11 in those with large-sized tears (p=0.924). The UCLA score was 31.10 in non-trauma patients and 31.23 in trauma patients (p=0.929). Conclusion: Arthroscopic repair of a full-thickness rotator cuff tear using a suture bridge technique can produce excellent clinical results. These outcomes are not affected by age or trauma history.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of arthroscopic tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears. Materials and Methods: Eleven patients underwent arthroscopic tuberoplasty for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears between December 2004 and April 2007. The mean follow-up period was 17.3 months, and the average age at the time of surgery was 61.7-year-old. Five cases underwent arthroscopic tuberoplasty and 6 cases had arthroscopic subacromial decompression and tuberoplasty, simultaneously. Results: The average Constant score improved from 61.8 to 86.9 and the average UCLA score changed from 14.8 to 31.8 with 6 excellent, 3 good and 2 poor results (p=0.003). The active forward flexion improved from $111.8^{\circ}$ to $154.1^{\circ}$(p=0.011). The acromiohumeral interval increased from 3.94 mm preoperatively to 4.22 mm postoperatively (p=0.12). In the poor UCLA score group, the acromiohumeral interval changed from 1.67 mm preoperatively to 0.94 mm postoperatively. Conclusion: Arthroscopic tuberoplasty may be a second option to relieve the pain of irreparable massive rotator cuff tears and improve the range of motion. However, good results could not be expected if the acromiohumeral interval is < 2 mm preoperatively and decreased postoperatively.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2007

Purpose: The current study assessed the factors affecting outcomes of primary repair procedures in tears of multiple rotator cuff tendons. Materials and Methods: Among the cases of rotator cuff tears involving two or more tendons receiving operations between 1997 and 2003, The clinical results of 19 cases with more than 2 years follow-up were evaluated by the UCLA score. We evaluated the correlation of trauma, active motion, acromiohumeral distance, tear size, and surface area with the UCLA score using Pearson's linear correlation coefficient (PLCC). Results: UCLA scores increased significantly in all cases, from 9 to 26.1 on average. However, the results were good in 53%, and poor in 47% according to Ellman's criteria. Trauma, active elevation, acromiohumeral distance, and tear size did not correlate with the UCLA score, but the tear surface area was inversely correlated with the score (PLCC=-0.696). Cases with degeneration of the infraspinatus muscle above Goutallier grade III on MRI showed worse results than cases with less degeneration. Conclusion: The clinical results of primary repair of rotator cuff tears involving multiple tendons were satisfactory in 53% of patients. Large tear surface area and severe degeneration of the infraspinatus were poor prognostic factors.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2011

Rotator cuff disease is one of the most common shoulder problems. When dealing with patients suffering from rotator cuff disease, whether to perform surgery or not is the most common difficulty faced by the outpatient clinic. Choosing the adequate operation time as well as the method of operation is important when deciding to perform surgery. Selecting the type of non-surgical treatment is an important issue when opting not to perform surgery. This review article will focus on the decision-making process involved in the treatment of rotator cuff disease.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 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
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.197-205
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of minimal-tying (one medial-row tie among 4 medial-row sutures) on the medial-row in double-row suture-bridge configuration ($2{\times}2$ anchor with $4{\times}4$ suture stands). Methods: From 2011 March to 2012 July, 79 patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair using $2{\times}2$ anchor double-row configuration. The mean age was 61.3 years (range, 31-81 years). Two double-loaded suture anchors were used for medial-row. Four medial-row stitches were made with only one medial-row knot-tying (the most anterior suture). Lateral-row was secured using the conventional suture-bridge anchor technique; all 4 strands were used for each anchor. Repair integrity was evaluated with MRI at mean 6.2 months postoperatively. Retear and the pattern of retear, change of fatty infiltration, and muscle atrophy of supraspinatus were evaluated using pre- and postoperative MRI. Results: Repaired tendon integrity was 38 for type I, 30 for type II, 6 for type III, 4 for type IV, and 1 for type V, according to Sugaya classification. Considering type IV/V as retear, the rate was 6.3% (5 out of 79 patients). Medial cuff failure was observed in 4 patients. Fatty atrophy of supraspinatus was significantly improved postoperatively according to Goutallier grading (p=0.01). The level of muscle atrophy of supraspinatus was not changed significantly after surgery. Conclusions: Minimal tying technique with suture configuration of four-by-four strand double-row suture-bridge yielded a lower retear rate (6.3%) in medium to large rotator cuff tears.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-122
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between rotator cuff tear and nerve injury, and prevalence of nerve injury using electromyographic study. Materials and Methods: From May 2004 to Feb. 2005, 19 cases, who underwent surgery for full-thickness rotator cuff tear, were evaluated for nerve injury using electomyogram instruments preoperatively. Rotator cuff tears caused by acute high energy trauma were excluded in this study. Mean age was 59 (range, 45-87) years and mean duration of symptoms was 45 (range, 1-360) month. Results: There were six nerve injuries (31.6%). All of them were incomplete brachial plexus injuries, and mainly postganglionic lesions. Four cases among them had minor trauma history. There were no significant differences in terms of cuff tear size, range of motion, pain score and functional score between groups with and without nerve injury. Conclusion: This study showed high prevalence (31.6%) of nerve injury in full-thickness rotator cuff tear. So careful physical examination and evaluation for nerve injury are needed in rotator cuff tear.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.81-81
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• 2008