• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2009

Purpose: Our goal for this study was to prospectively evaluate the functional & structural outcomes, by means of CT arthroscopy, of arthroscopic double-row fixation for treating rotator cuff tear. We also attempted to determine the variants that affect the functional & structural outcomes. Materials and Methods: Twenty seven consecutive patients underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with double-row fixation. The average age at the time of the operation was fifty six years. The preoperative and postoperative examinations consisted of determining the Constant score, the score for the visual analogue scale for pain, the UCLA score, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, as well as a full physical examination of the shoulder. Preoperative MR arthrography was used to evaluate the integrity and atrophy of the rotator cuff. We measured the intraoperative tear size in the sagittal and coronal planes. Postoperative CT arthrography was used at one year postoperatively to evaluate the integrity and atrophy of the repaired tendons and muscles. Results: Preoperative MR arthrography revealed an average 29.22 mm tear size in the sagittal plane and an average 22.72 mm tear size in the coronal plane. Twelve cases of supraspinatus muscle atrophy and two cases of infraspinatus atrophy were observed on the preoperative MR arthrography. The average clinical outcome scores all significantly improved at the time of follow-up. At a mean of one year postoperatively, CT arthrography revealed 48.1% of the shoulders had healed, 11.1% showed incomplete healing and 40.7% showed retear of the repaired tendon. Conclusion: Arthroscopic double-row repair can result in improved clinical outcomes and good patient satisfaction. However, the problems about how to enhance healing of the repaired tendon still remain.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2002

Purpose : We evaluated radiographic changes and clinical manifestations of the elbow joint to identify the effects of the throwing between dominant and non-dominant arms. Materials and Methods : A hundred and five little leaguer’s baseball player in 5 elementary school and 2 middle school were evaluated for clinical symptoms and radiographic changes about elbow joint. Mean age was 12 years old and average periods of exercise were 32 months. Elbow functions were evaluated using ASES standardized assessment form and radiographic changes of medial epicondyle were examinated for enlargement, separation of the apophyses, fragmentation and irregularity. Results : Thirty seven players (35$\%$) were complained pain with throwing and the average score was 4.8 using visual analog scale. There were no significant differences in range of motion except flexion angle, valgus angle, and strength between dominant arm and non-dominant arm. Valgus laxity was more prominent in dominant arm. Ulnohumeral tenderness, radiocapitellar tenderness and medial flexor origin tenderness were in 18, 6, and 17 cases respectively in dominant arm. Medial epicondyle was enlarged in dominant arm with 13.0 by 6.3 mm compared to non-dominant arm with 11.7 by 6.1 mm. Apophyseal separation was 0.8 mm in dominant arm and 0.5 mm in non-dominant arm. Fragmentation and irregularity were 14 (13$\%$) and 25 (24$\%$) cases respectively in dominant arm. Conclusion : In little league baseball player, it needs usage of ball and bat with appropriate weight, and careful conditioning programs through throwing exercise in order to avoid elbow injuries.