Arthroscopic-assisted Latissimus Dorsi Tendon Transfer for the Management of Irreparable Rotator Cuff Tears in Middle-aged Physically Active Patients

BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi (LD) tendon transfer is used as a treatment option for massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears, and recently, an arthroscopic-assisted technique was introduced. This study was undertaken to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer for the management of irreparable rotator cuff tears in active middle-aged patients. METHODS: The records of five patients (two males) with irreparable tears involving the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons managed by arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scale, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon's (ASES) scores, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) scale, and ranges of motion. Postoperative integrities of transferred tendon were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in 4 patients and by ultrasound in one. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 55 years (range, 48–61 years), and mean follow-up period was 20 months (range, 12.0–27.2 months). Mean VAS score significantly improved from 6.6 ± 2.6 preoperatively to 1.8 ± 2.5 postoperatively (p=0.009), mean ASES score increased from 67.6 ± 9.2 to 84.6 ± 15.1, and mean UCLA score from 18.0 ± 1.4 to 28.8 ± 8.5 (all p<0.001). Postoperative imaging of the transferred LD tendon showed intact repair in 4 patients. The remaining patient experienced LD transfer rupture and a poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic-assisted LD tendon transfer improved shoulder pain and function in patients with massive, irreparable rotator cuff tears, and may be an option for this condition, especially in physically active patients.

Proximal Approach of Ultrasound-guided Suprascapular Nerve Block: Comparison with Subacromial Steroid Injection

BACKGROUND@#This study was undertaken to evaluate early clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) using a proximal approach, as compared with subacromial steroid injection (SA).@*METHODS@#This retrospective study included a consecutive series of 40 patients of SSNB and 20 patients receiving SA, from August 2017 to August 2018. The visual analogue scale (VAS), American Shoulder Elbow Surgeon's score (ASES), University of California, Los Angeles score (UCLA), the 36 health survey questionnaire mental component summary (SF36-MCS), physical component summary (PCS), and range of motion (forward elevation, external rotation, and internal rotation) were assessed for clinical evaluations.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the baseline, VAS, and ranges of motion in the SSNB group significantly improved at the 4-week follow-up (VAS scores improved from 6.7 ± 1.6 to 4.3 ± 2.4, p<0.001; all ranges of motion p<0.05), while other variables showed no statistically significant differences. All clinical variables were significantly improved in the SA group (p<0.05). However, all clinical scores at the 4-week follow-up showed no significant difference between groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Ultrasound-guided SSNB using proximal approach provides significant pain relief at 4-weeks after treatment, with statistically significant difference when compared with SA, suggesting that SSNB using proximal approach is a potentially useful option in managing shoulder pain. However, in the current study, it was less effective in improving shoulder function and health-related quality of life, compared with SA.

Clinical Outcome after Arthroscopic Capsular Release for Adhesive Capsulitis of the Shoulder

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to evaluate the outcome of the arthroscopic capsular release for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. METHODS: This study retrospectively investigated thirty shoulders in 29 patients who presented with recalcitrant adhesive capsulitis and underwent arthroscopic treatments. Other than typical findings of adhesive capsulitis, combined pathologies in the glenohumeral joint and subacromial space were evaluated by arthroscopy. Clinical evaluations were performed using the Constant's score and ranges of motion (ROM) at preoperative, 6 months postoperatively and at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Our study included 17 women and 12 men with a mean age of 53.8 years (range, 34–74). Mean follow-up duration was 24 months (range, 12–40 months). Assessment of combined pathologies revealed that partial rotator cuff tear of less than 25% thickness, was most common (overall 83.3%; with bursal 57% and articular 23%). Subacromial synovitis and adhesion were also frequent (53.3%). The Constant score and ranges of motion significantly improved at the final follow-up, compared with preoperative levels. However, clinical results at 6 months postoperatively were found to be significantly inferior to those observed at the final follow-up (p≤0.001 for all factors). Functional impairment was the major complaint in 59.3% patients at the 6 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although arthroscopic capsular release yielded favorable outcome at the mean 24 months follow-up, pain and motion limitations at 6-month postoperatively persisted in more than 50% of our patients. While combined pathologies were commonly encountered during arthroscopy, although their effects on surgical outcome in adhesive capsulitis remains unclear in this study.

Is There a Clinically Important Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior (SLAP) Lesion? / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion is a tear of the superior labrum, which starts posteriorly and extends anteriorly to include the anchor of the biceps tendon to the superior labrum. Symptoms of SLAP tear may include pain or instability. Recently, with the development of arthroscopy, the diagnosis and treatment of SLAP lesion have been made a lot. However, the diagnosis of clinically relevant SLAP tears remains challenging because of the lack of specific examination findings and the frequency of concomitant shoulder lesion. And there is still controversy regarding the treatment. Accordingly, proper treatment is important through accurate evaluation of whether or not it is a clinically important SLAP lesion.

Restless Legs Syndrome Mimicking Lower Leg Pain of Spinal Origin :Report on Two Cases / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurogenic disorder with the patients having a sensation of discomfort and an urge to move continuously. These symptoms can get worse during night and cause sleep disturbance. These symptoms can be misdiagnosed as lower leg pain of a spinal origin and the treatment can be wrongly focused on this. This treatment for an unproven state of symptoms can place clinicians in a difficult situation. We experienced RLS associated with spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis, and we originally misdiagnosed the patient and wrongly treated the patient operatively with spinal fusion and posterior instrumentation. After an insufficient result, we diagnosed the patient with having RLS with the help of the neurology department and rehabilitation medical department. In one other case we diagnosed a RLS patient with the help of a neurologist and the patients had arrived an our department for total knee arthroplasty and spinal root block. We report on these cases so other orthopedic surgeons will not make same mistakes.

Complications of Femoral Peritrochanteric Fractures Treated with the Gamma Nail

PURPOSE: We analyzed the complications of femoral peritrochanteric fractures treated with the Gamma nail to reduce its complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the complications among the 96 patients who were treated with the Gamma nail from January 2000 to May 2005. Mean follow-up period was 17.8 months and mean age was 75.2 years. We analysed the relationship between the complication and the fracture pattern, postoperative reduction status, position of the lag screw, bone density, displacement and tip-apex index (TAD). RESULTS: The complications were presented in 12 cases (12.5%). Cut-out of lag screw were in 5 cases, varus deformity with short lag screw in 2 cases, metal breakage of distal screw in 1 case, breakage of drill bit intraoperatively in 1 case, superficial infection in 2 cases and deep infection in 1 case. 5 cases (4.2%) were required reoperation. All of the cut-out of lag screw showed increased TAD (tip apex distance) above 25 mm. CONCLUSION: To reduce the complications of the Gamma nail, we need exact surgical technique, good positioning of the lag screw and choice of appropriate length for the lag screw.