• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.102-106
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• 2014

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of single blinded anterior intra-articular corticosteroid injection to the glenohumeral joint performed by short experienced clinicians in frozen state adhesive capsulitis patients. Methods: From March to June of 2013, among the patients who visited the shoulder outpatient clinic due to shoulder pain for 5-6 months and those patient diagnosed as frozen state adhesive capsulitis was selected. The diagnosis were based on base, first the global limitation of range of motion, defined as forward elevation <100, external rotation at side <10, internal rotation less than buttock, and abduction <70. Second, the patients had additional radiologic evaluations showing no major pathologies for such stiffness. Clinical outcome, were performed with pain visual analog scale (PVAS) and functional visual analog scale (FVAS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (ASES), preinjection and postinjection after 2-4 weeks. Finally 82-patients were enrolled. Mean age of the patients was 55.1 years and mean follow-up duration was 25.17 days. Results: The mean preinjection PVAS was 6.91 and postinjection was 3.11, there was 3.8 decreases from preinjection status (p < 0.001). The mean FVAS score showed 4.26 at preinjection and 6.63 afterwards (p < 0.001). The ASES score showed 27.89 increases after injection (p < 0.001). There were 64-patients (78.04%) who reported more than 3 points of decrease of PVAS, who could be judged as effective treatment. Conclusions: Single anterior glenohumeral steroid injection by short experienced clinicians to the patients with frozen state adhesive capsulitis has shown relatively high efficacy in clinical result evaluated by means of PVAS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.207-210
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to identify the effectiveness of high-intensity laser therapy on pain and function of a frozen shoulder. Methods: Thirty patients were assigned to two groups: the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Both groups received traditional therapy for 4 weeks, 3 days a week. The experimental group, however, received an additional high intensity laser therapy. Pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The functional ability was measured using the patient specific functional scale (PSFS). A paired t-test was used to determine any differences before and after the treatment, and an independent t-test was used to determine any differences between treatment groups. Results: Both groups showed a statistically significant difference for VAS and PSFS score (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, more experimental group than control group statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: There seems to be a positive effect on pain and function of frozen shoulder from using high intensity laser therapy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.143-148
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• 2003

Objectives: To analyze the postoperative functional outcome of shoulder in patients with arthroscopically assisted repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears with or without acromioplasty and role of acromioplasty. Materials and Methods: From June 1996 to June 2002, twenty six patients with large to massive rotator cuff tears were undergone arthroscopically assisted repair. Mean follow up was over one year. Fourteen were male and twelve were female. Mean age was 51 years old(39-66). Mean duration was 9 months. Acromioplasty was done in 14 cases concomitantly. They were divided into two groups. Group I: arthroscopic cuff repair with acromioplasty(14 cases). Group II: arthroscopic cuff repair without acromioplasty(12 cases). Each shoulder was evaluated at preoperative and final follow-up with Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of pain, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of function, ASES standardized shoulder assessment form, Simple Shoulder Test, UCLA score and range of motion(ROM). We analyzed the differences between the two groups. Shoulder ROM and acromioplasty were determining factors. Statistics was tested by correlation analysis and repeated measure ANOVA test. Results: At the final follow up, functional outcome and pain were improved but they had no statistical significance between the two groups(p>0.05). Combined procedure, acromioplasty, didn't affect on VAS. UCLA score, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of pain, University of Pennsylvania Patient self-assessment of function, ASf:S standardized shoulder assessment form and Simple Shoulder Test(p>0.05). In group II, forward flexion and abduction were statistically improved at the final follow up than in group I(p<0.05). Conclusions: It appears that arthroscopic repair is satisfactory procedure in patients with large to massive cuff tears. Combined procedure, acromioplasty, doesn't affect on postoperative functional outcome of shoulder.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 2021

Background: This study aims to compare the clinical outcomes of steroid injections during the rehabilitation period after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ACRC). Methods: Among patients who underwent ARCR, 117 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled. Pain and range of motion (ROM) recovery at the 3-, 6-, and 24-month follow-up visits and functional outcome at the 24-month follow-up were compared between 45 patients who received ultrasound-guided subacromial steroid injection at postoperative week 4 or 6 and 72 patients who did not. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Constant score. Healing of the repaired tendon and retear were observed at the 6-month follow-up via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) arthrography. Results: At the 3-month follow-up, the steroid injection group showed lower visual analog scale scores than the control group (p<0.05) and showed faster recovery of forward flexion and internal rotation (p<0.05). From the 6-month follow-up, the two groups did not show differences in pain and ROM, and the ASES score and Constant score also did not significantly differ at the 24-month follow-up. The two groups did not differ in retear rate as determined by MRI or CT arthrography at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that ultrasound-guided subacromial steroid injection at 4 or 6 weeks after ARCR leads to quick pain reduction and ROM recovery until 3 months after surgery. Therefore, subacromial steroid injection is speculated to be an effective and relatively safe method to assist rehabilitation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.152-158
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the effectiveness of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) in treating irreparable massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent RTSA for the treatment of irreparable massive RCTs and completed follow-up for at least 1 year were selected. Their mean age was 69.7 years (range, 59-80 years). The mean follow-up was 17.7 months (range, 12-42 months). The shoulder range of motion was measured preoperatively and at final follow-up. The functional result was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon (ASES) score, and Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. Additionally, the shoulders were categorized into two groups depending on prior history of surgery and the clinical outcomes were analyzed between two groups. Results: Mean pain VAS improved, from $6.6{\pm}1.2$ to $2.7{\pm}0.9$ (p=0.001), and the mean functional VAS from $35.7{\pm}4.2$ to $73.3{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.006). The mean ASES score improved from $37.2{\pm}2.8$ to $75.0{\pm}3.8$ (p=0.012). The mean KSS improved from $36.5{\pm}7.2$ to $75.6{\pm}5.4$ (p=0.009), the mean forward elevation from $66.3{\pm}4.7$ to $135.6{\pm}8.4$ (p=0.0001), and the mean abduction from $45.2{\pm}4.2$ to $119.0{\pm}6.5o$ (p=0.0001). Internal rotation differed significantly from the first sacral to the third lumbar vertebrae (p=0.036). External rotation did not change significantly (p=0.076). There was also no statistically significant difference between groups (no previous operation versus none). Four complications occurred: one superficial infection, one with anterior dislocation, one acromial fracture, and one clavicle fracture. Conclusions: RTSA provides reliable pain relief and recovery of shoulder function in patients with massive irreparable RCTs in short-term follow-up.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and associated repair integrity in patients treated with arthroscopic repair for a transtendinous rotator cuff tear followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon. Methods: Between July 2007 and July 2011, we retrospectively reviewed patients who were treated for transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff by arthroscopic repair. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Constant-Murley score, a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and range of motion (ROM). The repair integrity was determined by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. Results: There were 19 shoulders with transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff. The ASES, UCLA, Constant-Murley, and VAS pain scores showed significant improvements in function and symptoms (all p<0.001). The active ROM for forward flexion and abduction was also significantly improved (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative radiological examination showed cuff integrity without a re-tear in 68.4% of patients. However, the UCLA, ASES, and Constant-Murley scores were not significantly different between healed and re-torn group (p=0.530, p=0.885, and p=0.262, respectively). Conclusions: Although repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon in the footprint has a relatively high re-tear rate, no significant difference was observed in the short-term clinical results between the re-tear and healed groups.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.213-221
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the clinical effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). Methods: There were 61 patients who were diagnosed with SIS in the Jaseng hospital network of KM (7 hospitals located in Korea: Gangnam, Daejeon, Bucheon, Haeundae, Bundang, Ulsan, and Gwangju) between January 1^st, 2015 and December 31^st, 2020 who were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to complications, intake of analgesics, duration of illness preadmission, and treatment. Treatments consisted of herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping, Chuna, pharmacopuncture, bee venom pharmacopuncture, medicinal steaming, Daoyin exercises, and physical therapy. By comparing the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire scores, the effectiveness of integrated KM treatment was evaluated. Results: There were 14 males and 47 females. For inpatients diagnosed with SIS, the mean NRS score decreased from 5.78 ± 1.33 to 3.40 ± 1.43 (p < 0.001). The mean Shoulder Pain and Disability Index score decreased from 53.87 ± 14.76 to 38.56 ± 18.87 (p < 0.001), and the mean European Quality of Life 5-Dimensions questionnaire increased from 0.67 ± 0.13 to 0.76 ± 0.09 (p < 0.001) after KM treatment. Medicinal steaming (0.398; p < 0.001), acupuncture (0.290), cupping (0.288), bee venom pharmacopuncture (0.282), and Daoyin exercises (0.262; p < 0.05) had a positive correlation with improved changes in the NRS score. Conclusion: Conclusion: Treatment with integrated KM treatment improved the pain, range of motion, shoulder function, and quality of life of patients with SIS.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2015

Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effects of thoracolumbar fascia release (TLFR) on the degree of pain and disability in patients with shoulder pain. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Thirty subjects with shoulder pain participated in this study. They were allocated to TLFR group (n=15) and manual physical therapy (MPT) group (n=15). Shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI) and the score on the visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured before and after TLFR. Results: In the TLFR group, the degree of shoulder pain as indicated by SPADI measured after the intervention significantly differed from that before the intervention (p<0.05); moreover, in the MPT group, the degree of shoulder pain was significantly lower (p<0.05). The data of the 2 groups before the intervention significantly differed from those after the intervention (p<0.05). SPADI significantly differed within the groups (p<0.05), but not between the groups. The sum of SPADI did not differ significantly between the groups. The VAS scores of shoulder pain measured before the intervention significantly differed from those measured after the intervention (p<0.05) in the both groups. After the intervention, shoulder pain decreased significantly in the TLFR group as compared to that in the MPT group. Conclusions: TLF release was effective in reducing shoulder pain. The results of this study can be applied in clinical practice for TLFR performed to reduce shoulder pain. Further studies will need to be performed to elucidate the effects of TLFR on functional recovery.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.87-98
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• 2023

Purpose : This study was to verify the effectiveness of eccentric training and to make clinical recommendations on detailed application methods by comparing the effects of changes in acromiohumeral distance (AHD), pain intensity, muscle strength, and functional performance after applying a 12-week eccentric training program (ET group) or concentric training program (CT group) for patients with partial rotator cuff (supraspinatus) tears with moderate to severe shoulder pain. Methods : A total of 29 subjects were assigned to either the "ET group (n=15)" or the "CT group (n=14)" through simple randomization and were measured in the same way at baseline before intervention, 4 weeks and 12 weeks after intervention. All subjects received a physical therapy program 12 sessions 3 times a week for the first 4 weeks, and physical therapy program, 12 sessions a week, from 4 weeks to 12 weeks, for a total 20 sessions. Ultrasound machine was used for AHD, visual analog scale (VAS) was used for pain intensity, electronic hand held dynamometer was used for muscle strength, Korean Constant shoulder score (K-CSS) used for functional performance. Results : AHD, pain intensity, and muscle strength did not show significant differences at 4 weeks, but improved numerically, and showed significant differences at 12 weeks (p<.05), showing superior results in the eccentric training group compared to the concentric training group. Functional performance showed significant changes at both 4 and 12 weeks (p<.05), and excellent results were also found in the eccentric training group. Conclusion : In patients with partial rotator cuff tears with moderate to severe shoulder pain, an eccentric training program increased acromiohumeral distance (AHD), reduced pain, and increased muscle strength. Therefore, it can be clinically presented as an intervention method that can quickly and effectively improve functional performance, which is the ultimate goal of physical therapy.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.464-470
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• 2022

Objective: Axillary web syndrome (AWS) is a condition comprising fibrous band-like cords that appear in the axilla of patients after axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) during breast cancer surgery and result in pain and reduced mobility. The cords appearing with AWS are hardened veins or lymphatic vessels. Manual therapy and stretching are recommended for pain control and mobility improvement. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of cytoskeletal manual therapy (CMT), which is a new soft tissue mobilization technique. Design: A case report Methods: A 41-year-old woman with AWS after breast cancer surgery and ALND visited a physical therapy clinic because of shoulder pain, decreased function, and decreased mobility. The cords were palpable and pain occurred 2 weeks after surgery. CMT was performed three times per week for a total of 6 weeks. Her pain intensity, range of motion (ROM), and shoulder function were measured. Results: Measurements were performed after 2 weeks and 6 weeks of CMT and evaluated using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Her pain intensity largely decreased after 2 weeks (4-point score reduction) and after 6 weeks (5-point score reduction) of CMT. After CMT, her full ROM was restored and her shoulder function was improved (7-point score reduction). Conclusions: CMT is effective for pain control, mobility improvement, and functional improvement of patients with AWS.