• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.53-56
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• 2008

Periarticular cysts in the shoulder joint are relatively rare. The most common are paralabral cysts, which can cause suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. Acromioclavicular juxtaarticular cysts have been described in association with full-thickness rotator cuff tears and a degenerated acromioclavicular joint. Intramuscular cysts of the rotator cuff are a relatively rare and unknown type of periarticular cyst. We report a case of an intramuscular cyst of the rotator cuff that was associated with a tear of the rotator cuff.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.328-333
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• 2022

Irreparable rotator cuffs with retracted torn ends remain a significant challenge for most shoulder surgeons. Since repairs are preferable to reconstruction or replacement whenever possible, studies for anatomical reductions with minimal tension and secure fixation are important. In this study, the authors introduce an arthroscopic supraspinatus advancement (ASSA) procedure for retracted rotator cuff tears that could not be adequately reduced to the original footprint. Using modified long, narrow, curved Cobb elevators, procedures can be performed through lateral portals without any additional skin incision. Following meticulous stepwise three-compartment elevation procedures based on the supraspinatus insertion anatomy, the supraspinatus muscle could be safely elevated from the fossa and sufficiently advanced laterally. The authors suggest that ASSA could be a useful procedure for management of challenging retracted rotator cuff tears by maximizing lateral excursions that could convert irreparable tears to reparable tears in select patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.84-90
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• 2014

In conducting animal studies using rotator cuff, researchers should select the appropriate types of animals and experimental models. This should also be followed by complete understanding of the selected experimental animals as well as the methods for evaluating the results. Thus, researchers could minimize errors and failure in conducting animal experimental studies. Further, this will provide a basis of establishing new idea and theory about rotator cuff diseases.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2004

It has been reported that rotator cuff tear have good response to arthroscopic or open repair even if the range being so wide. However, the majority of this literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of tear focused on lesion of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. But involvement of the subscapularis tendon with rotator cuff tear should be thought to be less common and poorer to open operative repair. Furthermore, some europian author have stated that the rotator cuff tear including the subscapularis tendon are sufficiently distinct in their clinical presentation and prognosis as to merit separate consideration of their diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate result of arthroscopic or open repair in patient with rotator cuff tear that include the subscapularis tendon. Of the 128 rotator cuff repairs performed from 1998 through 2003, 12 had a tear that include the subscapularis tendon in combination with the supraspinatus (8 cases) and infraspinatus (4 cases). Mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 6 months (range 3 to 12 months). All 12 patient demonstrated a positive lift off sign. Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant- Murley score, which ranges from 30 to 58. Pain was assessed using a linear visual analogue scale range from 0 to 10. Postoperative Constant score range from 40 to 64 (average 47.8). Pain score improved from 5.5 to 8.5, but there are postoperative pain improvement on nothing in 5 patient. The overall result for 12 patient were satisfy in 2, fair in 5 and dissatisfy in 5: Therefore satisfactory result were noted only in 16 % of this overall group. In conclusion, we have failed to make good result in patient with rotator cuff tear that included the subscapularis tendon. At the result, outcome after surgical repair of this type of rotator tear is comparatively inferior to the result of operative repair of rotator cuff not involved the subscapularis tendon.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 2008

The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears and the progression of asymptomatic tears to symptomatic tears are yet unclear and much controversy. It is likely to involve a number of factors such as a genetic predisposition, extrinsic impingement from structures surrounding the cuff and intrinsic degeneration from changes within the tendon itself. Degenerative changes in the rotator cuff with aging seem to be related to the anatomic and mechanical environment of the rotator cuff. The histopathologic appearance of rotator cuff tendon rupture specimens demonstrates a consequence of degenerative changes at the site of tendon insertion into bone. It weakens the tensile strength of the tendon. Is the process of degeneration intrinsic or extrinsic in nature? I suggest that degeneration is intrinsic and not caused by extrinsic factors. Even though, rotator cuff tear may be secondary to multiple factors, I believe that primary cause of rotator cuff tears is preexisting degenerative change.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2006

Purpose: To investigate early complications after repair of massive rotator cuff tears and to find out factors that compromise the results. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients who had two or more cuff tendons involved were included. All patients were operated by open acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair. At 3 months after operation, we investigated whether there were any early complications or not. We used ASES scoring system for preoperative and follow up evaluation. In addition, various preoperative factors, such as duration of symptom, degree of tendon retraction, degree of fatty degeneration, and acromio-humeral distance, were compared between the complicated patients and non-complicated patients. Results: At 3 months after operation, the ASES score and pain were improved in any degree in all patients. But 5 patients complained persisting pain, and three of them showed major complications such as re-rupture of rotator cuff or deltoid rupture. But no preoperative factors in complicated patients were significantly different from those in non-complicated patients. Conclusion: None of the preoperative factors were related to the complications. There was a tendency of overestimation of fatty degeneration in MRI. Some factors in surgical technique and rehabilitation were highly suspected to be related to the complications.

• 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.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Background: The purposes of the study were to examine rotator cuff tendon degeneration with respect to harvesting location, to determine a rationale for debridement of the torn end, and thus, to determine adequate debridement extent. Methods: Twenty-four patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear were included in the study. Tendon specimens were harvested during arthroscopic rotator cuff repair from three locations; from torn ends after minimal regularization of fraying (native end group, NE group), from torn ends after complete freshening of the frayed end (freshened end group, FE group), and from the macroscopically intact portion just distal to the musculotendinous junction (musculotendinous junction group, MTJ group). Control samples were harvested from patients admitted for surgery for proximal humerus fracture. Harvested samples were evaluated using a semi-quantitative grading scale. Results: Mean total degeneration scores in the NE group ($13.3{\pm}3.21$), the FE group ($12.5{\pm}2.30$), and in the MTJ group ($10.8{\pm}3.10$) were significantly higher than those in the normal control group ($5.0{\pm}2.87$; all p<0.001). Mean total degeneration score in the NE group was significantly higher than that in the MTJ group (p=0.012), but was not from that of the FE group. Mean total degeneration score in the FE group was not significantly different from that of the MTJ group. Conclusions: Tendon degeneration exists throughout the entire tendon to the macroscopically intact portion of full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Therefore, aggressive debridement to grossly normal appearing, bleeding tendon is unnecessary for enhancing healing after repair.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.190-194
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• 2019

Background: The duration of immobilization after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair and the optimal time to commence rehabilitation are still the subject of ongoing debates. This study was undertaken to evaluate the functional outcome and rotator cuff healing status after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair by comparing early and delayed rehabilitation. Methods: Totally, 76 patients with small, medium, and large sized rotator cuff tears underwent arthroscopic repair using the suturebridge technique. In early rehabilitation group, 38 patients commenced passive range of motion at postoperative day 2 whereas 38 patients assigned to the delayed rehabilitation group commenced passive range of motion at postoperative week 3. At the end of the study period, clinical and functional evaluations (Constant score, the University of California, Los Angeles [UCLA] shoulder score) were carried out, subsequent to measuring the range of motion, visual analogue scale for pain, and isokinetic dynamometer test. Rotator cuff healing was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging at least 6 months after surgery. Results: No significant difference was obtained in range of motion and visual analogue scale between both groups. Functional outcomes showed similar improvements in the Constant score (early: 67.0-88.0; delayed: 66.9-91.0; p<0.001) and the UCLA shoulder score (early: 20.3-32.3; delayed: 20.4-32.4; p<0.001). Furthermore, rotator cuff healing showed no significant differences between the groups (range, 6-15 months; average, 10.4 months). Conclusions: Delayed passive rehabilitation does not bring about superior outcomes. Therefore, early rehabilitation would be useful to help patients resume their daily lives.