A Randomized Comparative Study of Blind versus Ultrasound Guided Glenohumeral Joint Injection of Corticosteroids for Treatment of Shoulder Stiffness

BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at 90o abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.

A Randomized Comparative Study of Blind versus Ultrasound Guided Glenohumeral Joint Injection of Corticosteroids for Treatment of Shoulder Stiffness

BACKGROUND: We prospectively compared the response to blind and ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection of corticosteroids for treatment of shoulder stiffness. METHODS: A total of 77 patients with shoulder stiffness between April 2008 and March 2012 were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either a blind (group 1, n=39) or ultrasound-guided (group 2, n=38) glenohumeral injection of 40 mg triamcinolone. The clinical outcomes and shoulder range of motion (ROM) before injection, at 3, 6, and 12 months after injection and at the last follow-up were assessed. The same rehabilitation program was applied in both groups during the follow-up period. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic data on age, sex, ROM, and symptom duration before injection between groups (p>0.05). There were no significant differences in ROM including forward flexion, external rotation at the side, external rotation at 90o abduction, and internal rotation, visual analogue scale for pain and functional outcomes including American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, Simple Shoulder test between the two groups at any time point (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the current data, the result of ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection was not superior to that of blind injection in the treatment of shoulder stiffness. We suggest that ultrasound-guided glenohumeral injection could be performed according to the patient's compliance and the surgeon's preference. Once familiar with the non-imaging-guided glenohumeral injection, it is an efficient and reliable method for the experienced surgeon. Ultrasound could be performed according to the surgeon's preference.

A Clinical Analysis of Patients with Premature Ovarian Failure: Compliance with Hormonal Treatment / 대한폐경학회지

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical features of premature ovarian failure (POF) and patients' compliance with hormonal treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 126 patients diagnosed with POF was selected between January 2004 and December 2007. The clinical, etiologic features and treatment compliance were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of diagnosis was 33.2 +/- 5.2 years. The mean value of follicle stimulating hormone was 78.8 +/- 28.8 IU/L. The most common symptom was amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea (54%). Eighty-eight patients were married and 22 of them visited our clinic due to infertility. The most common etiology was unknown (54.8%) and the second most common cause was iatrogenic (29.4%). Only 61 patients underwent hormonal treatment (48.4%). The remaining 11 patients did not undergo hormonal treatment due to other medical conditions such as breast cancer or liver disease; however, they were followed-up regularly (8.7%). Among the treatment group, only 37 patients were followed-up over a period of 12 months (60.7%). CONCLUSION: About half of the women diagnosed with POF did not accept their own problems and therefore delayed essential treatment. Clinicians should educate the importance of early treatment for preventing degenerative changes.

The Most Common Shoulder Disorders

There are various different conditions that can lead to shoulder pain. The most common cause is rotator cuff disease, including impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tear. For satisfactory treatment outcome, it is important to understand the pathophysiology of rotator cuff disease and the treatment method must be based on these understandings. Frozen shoulder and calcific tendinitis are also common causes of shoulder pain. Because of self-healing abilities of these diseases, the treatment may be passive and neglected. However, without proper management, complications can remain, such as stiffness and pain. Even though various conservative treatments have yielded satisfactory results, surgical treatment should be considered if these have failed.

OPG Inhibits PMMA Induced Osteoclastogenesis and NF-kappaB Activation in Osteoclast Precursor Cells / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: We investigate the effect of osteoprotegerin (OPG) on activation of osteoclastogenesis and NF-kappaB activation by PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) particles in osteoclast precursor cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Osteoclast precursor cells (CSF-1 dependent) were obtained from whole bone marrow of C57BL mouse. Four experiments included 1) different dose of RANKL (Receptor Activator of NF-kappaB ligand) treatment (0, 1, 10, 40 ng/ml) 2) PMMA treatment +/- RANKL 3) PMMA treatment with different dose of RANKL 4) PMMA treatment +/- OPG. After treatments, cultured cells were stained with TRAP (Tartrate resistant alkaline phosphatase). The activity of NF-kappaB DNA nuclear translocation was detected by EMSA (electrophoretic mobility shift assay). RESULTS: The experiments with RANKL on osteoclast precursors differentiation demonstrated a dose-dependent stimulation of osteoclastogenesis (p<0.05). Control cultures without RANKL had no osteoclasts, while maintenance in 1 ng/ml of RANKL results in low level osteoclast formation. PMMA particles activated osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-primed osteoclast precursor cells. And the effect of particles on osteoclastogenesis were dependent on RANKL concentration (p<0.03). OPG treatment significantly decreased osteoclast formation and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity by PMMA particles in osteoclast precursor cells. CONCLUSION: OPG inhibits activation of osteoclast formation and NF-kappaB DNA binding activity by PMMA particles through RANK-RANKL pathway.

Open Reduction of Developmental Dislocation of the Hip in Patients Older than Eight Years / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and effectiveness of an open reduction in DDH for the patients 8 years and older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients older than 8 years and diagnosed with DDH were treated by an open reduction, femoral shortening, and varus derotational osteotomy, combined with or without a Chiari osteotomy from August, 1981 to November, 2002 However, one patient was treated without femoral shortening. The mean age of the patients besides the 2 patients of failure at the time of surgery was 13.1 years (range 8-23), the mean follow up duration was 9.1 years (range 1-22 years). There were 6 cases of left side involvement of DDH, and 5 cases of right side involvement, while the remaining were both sides. One case was male and the others were female, and all hips were dislocated completely. RESULTS: One hip out of 14 patients was not unreduced intraoperatively. One hip showed a redislocation during the follow up period. Eleven patients gained almost the full range of motion of the affected hip except for one patient. Five out of the 12 patients showed a normal gait without limping and pain, and 3showed a slight limping gait but was much improved compared with the preoperative state. Four patients showed a limping gait due to a leg length discrepancy, and the limping gait of one patient was corrected by femoral lengthening. The average Harris hip score among the patients except for 2 cases of failure was 94.6. Nine patients were excellent and 3 patients were good. CONCLUSION: A neglected DDH should be treated positively Because a functionally good hip joint can be obtained after an open reduction of a developmentally dislocated hip, even after the age of 8.