• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2020

Purpose: To examine the clinical and structural outcomes of an at least two-year follow-up of arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repairs with a single-row or suture-bridge technique in patients more than 65 years of age. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear who were more than 65 years of age, underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair after at least six months of conservative treatment, agreed to take a follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) six months postoperatively, and visited outpatient for at least two years were enrolled in this study. Clinical evaluations were done using The University of California Los Angeles score, Constant Shoulder Score, and visual analogue scale evaluated two years after the surgery. The structural integrity was analyzed using follow-up MRI. During surgery, a suture-bridge technique was used if the rotator cuff tendon could cover half of the footprint under constant tension. Otherwise, single-row repair was performed. Results: The samples were 158 cases, consisting of 93 single-repairs and 65 suture-bridge repairs. A preoperative comparison of the age distribution, fatty degeneration of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle, medial retraction of torn cuff tendon, and tear size between the two groups were not significant. The clinical scores were improved significantly in all cases. The distribution of the structural integrity by Sugaya classification were 49 cases in type 1 (31.0%), 62 cases in type 2 (39.2%), 30 cases in type 3 (19.0%), 11 cases in type 4 (7.0%), and six cases in type 5 (3.8%). The re-tear rate of the single-row group was 9.7% (nine out of 93 cases) and 12.3% (eight out of 65 cases) for the suture-bridge group. Conclusion: Satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes were achieved after arthroscopic full-thickness rotator cuff repair in patients more than 65 years of age. Both single-row and suture-bridge techniques would be beneficial for the elderly.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.16-16
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• 2009

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2009

Purpose: We evaluate the short-term clinical outcome of arthroscopic rotator cuff tendon repair with suture-bridge technique in patients with full thickness rotator cuff tear. Materials and Methods: 29 (male:17, female:12) consecutive shoulders treated with this index procedure and early rehabilitation were enrolled. Mean age was 56.4 years (range, 34~73 years) and mean follow-up period was 13 months (range, 12-15 months). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by using the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, the Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Postoperative cuff integrity was evaluated through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and categorized by Sugaya classification. Results: Postoperative UCLA scores improved from 16.4 to 31.6 (p< 0.05) and KSS scores showed 88 at 6 months and 92 at last follow up. Preoperative VAS score was 8.6, which was decreased to 2.1 at 3 months and 1.4 at 6 months postoperatively. 28 patients (96.5%) had increase in range of motion. The follow up MRI was taken in 15 shoulders and the cuff integrity was type I in 6 cases, type II in 7, type III in 1 and type V in 1 by Sugaya classification. Conclusion: Arthroscopic suture-bridge technique resulted in good or excellent clinical outcome in 96.5% of the cases, so we think this technique is one of the reliable procedure for full-thicknes rotator cuff tear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.101-104
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• 2018

Since shoulder have a higher proportion of muscle which would have low electrical resistance, there could be more electrical damage to the rotator cuff muscles. We present a patient with acute rotator cuff tear by sudden uncontrolled jerking contractions caused by an electrical shock. A case of 42-year-old man with acute rotator cuff tear due to electrical injury to the shoulder was presented. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a full thickness tear and an undulating appearance of the peripheral end of the torn supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle, suggesting an acute complete rupture. By arthroscopic surgery, the torn rotator cuff tendons were repaired with a suture bridge technique. At the final follow-up, the patient had a full, pain-free range of motion and had fully recovered shoulder muscle power.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 1999

The current treatment of extensive meniscal injuries has resulted in numerous investigations and clinical trials to restore normal meniscal functions. A cryopreserved meniscal allograft transplantation is one of the successful methods available to restore the meniscus. All the procedures of 26 cases were performed in an minimal open fashion, though initial four cases were done with the aid of arthroscope. In all of the grafts, we used a bone bridge which was attached to meniscus for better stability and healing. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were also performed simultaneously with the meniscal procedures. We attempted to minimize articular cartilage by employing so called the "Key-hole technique" for the medial meniscus transplantation. First, the meniscal cartilage bone bridge was shaped into a cylinder and a bone tunnel was made just beside the medial border of the anterior criciate ligament insertion of the recipient knee joint, and the bone bridge of the meniscal cartilage was push to press-fit. The inserted meniscal cartilage was sutured by the usually employed technique under arthroscopic control. The lateral meniscus was shaped different to the medial meniscus in that the bone bridge was semicylindrical and the bone trough was made beside the lateral border of the anterior criciate ligament insertion of the recipient knee joint. The meniscus was put into the bone trough and the leading suture was extracted anterior to the tibia and tied the knot. The inserted meniscus was sutured in the same manner as the medial meniscus transplantation. By the above described method, the authors were able to minimize the articular cartilage invasion and transplant the meniscus with relative accuracy.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2008

The goal of rotator cuff repairs is to achieve high initial fixation strength, minimize gap formation, maintain mechanical stability under cyclic loading and optimize the biology of the tendon-bone interface until the cuff heals biologically to the bone. Single row repairs are least successful in restoring the footprint of the rotator cuff and are most susceptible to gap formation. Double row repairs have an improved load to failure and minimal gap formation. Transosseous equivalent repairs (suture bridge technique) have the highest ultimate load and resistance to shear and rotational forces and the lowest gap formation. Even though the superior advantages of double row and transosseous equivalent repairs, those techniques take longer surgical time and are more expensive than single row repairs. Therefore single row repairs can be useful in bursal side partial thickness or small size full thickess rotator cuff tear.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serial ultrasonography (USG) after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and to assess the re-tear rate and the re-tear time according to the tear sizes and the repair method. Materials and Methods: Between January 2008 and June 2008, 52 patients were treated with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, Of the 52 patients, 29 patients that had undergone more than six months follow-up underwent preoperative USG examinations and subsequent arthroscopic examinations. MRI and USG findings were compared with intraoperative results of arthroscopic examinations. The postoperative integrity of the rotator cuff was observed using serial USG examination performed postoperatively at two weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months. Results: Small to medium rotator cuff tear were identified in 10 patients where the double pulley suture bridge (DPSB) technique was performed; the re-tear rate was 20%. For 19 patients with large to massive rotator cuff tears, the re-tear rates was 100% for six patients who had undergone tendon to tendon (TT) repair, the re-tear rate was 50% for two patients who had undergone tendon to tendon and bone to tendon (TTBT) repair and the re-tear rate was 55% for11 patients where the DPSB technique was performed. Re-tear rates according to follow-up periods were 7% from two to six weeks, 66% from six weeks to three months and 27% from three to six months postoperatively. Conclusion: Serial USG examinations after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were useful to assess the re-tear rate and the re-tear time. In addition, USG examination were useful for treatment planning during postoperative rehabilitation.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.206-210
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• 2015

Background: Assessment of the clinical outcomes after rotator cuff repair is essential for their effectiveness on treatment. The Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society devised the Korean Shoulder Scoring System (KSS) for patients with rotator cuff disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the availability of the KSS for assessment of clinical outcomes in patients after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, and for comparison with other appraisal scoring systems. Methods: A total of 130 patients with partial-thickness or full-thickness rotator cuff tear who underwent arthroscopic repair using a single row or double row suture bridge technique were enrolled. The average follow-up period was 25.9 months. All patients were classified according to various factors. Comparison within corresponding categories was performed, and the correlation between the KSS and other shoulder assessment methods including University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score was analyzed. Results: Total score of the KSS response had increased from 59.6 preoperatively to 88.96 at last follow-up. All KSS domains, including function, pain, satisfaction, range of motion, and muscle power had improved up to 24 months postoperatively. Statistical significance was observed mainly in preoperative measurements with number and size of torn tendons, and greater than or equal to grade 3 of fatty infiltration. The KSS was best correlated with the UCLA scoring system in both preoperative (r=0.785) and postoperative (r=0.951) measurements. Conclusions: The KSS was highly reliable and valid as a discriminative instrument, and it showed strong correlation with ASES and UCLA scoring systems.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.52-58
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• 2016

Purpose: This study intended to mediate shoulder exercise using grasping and investigate examine how its effects on affects activities of the shoulder surrounding muscles of the shoulder and thickness of shoulder muscle to suggest effective exercise for patients with rotator cuff repair to return to daily life. Methods: This study has been done targeteding male patients more than 6 weeks after having En-masse Suture Bridge Technique as rotator cuff repair of the right shoulder, aged 40 to 55 in a medical institution located in Jeollanam-do. Experimental group I (n=15) was selected for a conducting common exercise therapy program and Experimental group II (n=15) was selected for an conducting exercise therapy program using grasping. %RVC was measured by surface electromyography and muscle thickness was measured by ultrasound before mediation to for analysisze of before and after results within group and between groups. Results: In comparison of change of %RVC, Tthere were meaningful differences in only posterior deltoid and infraspinatus in comparing a change of %RVC within experimental group I (p<0.001),. and Tthere were meaningful differences in both supraspinatus and infraspinatus in muscle thickness within experimental group I (p<0.001). In comparison of change of %RVC, Tthere were meaningful differences in anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid and infraspinatus in comparing a change of %RVC within experimental group II (p<0.05)(p<0.01) (p<0.001), and there were meaningful differences in both supraspinatus and infraspinatus in muscle thickness within experimental group II (p<0.001). In comparison of change of %RVC between groups, Tthere was a meaningful difference in only posterior deltoid in comparing a change of %RVC between groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: We found that exercise therapy using grasping has a positive effect on shoulder stability muscles such as supraspinatus muscle and infraspinatus muscle and activity of deltoid muscle.