The Analysis and Treatment of Rotator Cuff Tear After Shoulder Dislocation in Middle-Aged and Elderly Patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical features and surgical results for rotator cuff tear secondary to shoulder dislocation in middle-aged and elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 19 patients over 50 years of age who had rotator cuff tears combined with shoulder dislocation between October 2004 and October 2008. There were 7 males and 12 females with a mean age 64.7 years (range, 50 to 78 years). The average follow-up duration was 22 months (range, 8 to 56 months). We investigated the number of dislocations, the size of the cuff tear, the presence of Bankart lesions and the time interval from dislocation to surgery. We also investigated the ASES score, UCLA score, SST score, and shoulder range of motion before and after surgery. We analyzed clinical outcomes and contributing factors. RESULTS: ASES scores improved from 30.2 preoperatively to 72.3 postoperatively; UCLA scores improved from 12.9 to 26.5; SST scores improved from 2.4 to 7.3. Range of motion improved significantly: forward flexion, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation were, respectively, 110.8(+/-39.3)degrees, 107.7(+/-40)degrees, 22.5(+/-17.6)degrees and L5 level preoperatively; postoperatively they were 153.6(+/-20.6)degrees, 152.1(+/-20.8)degrees, 36.4(+/-22.7)degrees and L1 level. Age, the presence of Bankart lesions and the number of dislocations were not correlated with clinical outcomes. But the size of the cuff tear was correlated with clinical results. Also, the duration from dislocation to surgery was correlated with postoperative UCLA and SST scores (p=0.039, p=0.038). CONCLUSION: For shoulder dislocation, it is important to achieve early diagnoses of rotator cuff tears in middle-aged and elderly patients. If these injuries are both present, early rotator cuff repair should be performed for better clinical results.

Comparative Study of MR-arthrography and Arthroscopy in Partial Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of MR arthrography to detect partial thickness rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy seven patients with a high suspicion for rotator cuff disease were studied by performing MR-arthrography and subsequent arthroscopy. The ability of MRarthrography to detect partial thickness tears was evaluated according to the location of the tears. We determined the correspondence between the measurements of the articular side partial tears on MR arthrography and those on the arthroscopic findings. RESULTS: The arthroscopic diagnosis of partial thickness rotator cuff tears was divided into 3 groups according to their location. There were 63 cases on the articular side, 41 cases on the bursal side and 20 cases on both sides. The sensitivity of MR-arthrography was 82% for the articular side tears and 11% for the bursal tears. The specificity was 88% for the articular side tears and 100% for the bursal tears. MRarthrographic measurement correctly predicted 72% in 28 repaired cases of 56 articular side partial thickness tears. CONCLUSIONS: MR-arthrography may be a reliable tool for diagnosing articular side partial thickness rotator cuff tears, but it has limitations for bursal side tears.

Arthroscopic Treatment of Popliteal Cysts using the Trans-Septal Approach

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the trans-septal approach for treating popliteal cyst, to determine the frequency and types of the associated pathologies and to assess the follow up ultrasound evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February, 2002 to February, 2007, 44 patients with popliteal cyst were treated by arthroscopy only. Fourteen patients were male and 30 patients were female. Their average age was 50 years (range: 20~77 years). We used the trans-septal portal approach. We evaluated the satisfaction of the patients and the recurrence of the popliteal cyst by performing ultrasound exams at an average follow up of 36 months after surgery. At the final follow up, we evaluated the clinical results by the criteria of Rauschning and Lindgren. RESULTS: We found no communication between the knee joint and the popliteal cyst by CT or MRI in 4 cases (8%), but we found a communication by arthroscopy in all the cases. Thirty-four cases had intra-articular pathologies and 9 cases didn't. The total intra-articular pathologies included 17 articular cartilage defects or chondral lesion (38%) and 15 meniscus tears (34%). In 1 case, open excision was performed for the revision surgery because the patient had recurrence of the popliteal cyst, which caused compressive neuropathy of the common peroneal and tibial nerve. At the last follow up, the clinical outcome of surgery according to the criteria of Rauschning and Lindgren was grade 0 (28 cases), grade1 (12 cases), grade 2 (3 cases) and grade 3 (1 case). CONCLUSION: We can approach the orifice of a popliteal cyst directly with using the trans-septal portal and easily decompress the orifice of the cyst. We propose that the arthroscopic decompression using the trans-septal portal is an excellent treatment modality for popliteal cysts.