A Comparison of Conventional Ultrasonography and Arthrosonography in the Assessment of Cuff Integrity after Rotator Cuff Repair

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to perform conventional ultrasonography, magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) and arthrosonography exams after rotator cuff repair to compare the results of conventional ultrasonography and arthrosonography with those of MRA as the gold standard. METHODS: We prospectively studied 42 consecutive patients (14 males, 28 females; average age, 59.4 years) who received arthroscopic rotator cuff repair due to full-thickness tears of the supraspinatus tendon from 2008 to 2010. The integrity assessment of the repaired rotator cuff was performed 6 months postoperatively using conventional ultrasonography, MRA, and arthrosonography. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy of the conventional ultrasonography compared to MRA was 78.6% and the McNemar test results were 0.016 in full-thickness tear and 0.077 in partial-thickness tear. The diagnostic accuracy of arthrosonography compared to MRA was 92.9% and the McNemar test results were 0.998 in full-thickness tear and 0.875 in partial-thickness tear. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the integrity assessment of the repaired rotator cuff by ultrasonography must be guarded against and that arthrosonography is an effective alternative method in the postoperative integrity assessment. Also, an arthrosonography seems to be a suitable modality to replace the conventional ultrasonography.

Ceramic-on-Ceramic Total Hip Arthroplasty: Minimum of Six-Year Follow-up Study

BACKGROUND: This study examines the clinical and radiologic results of ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasties with regard to wear, osteolysis, and fracture of the ceramic after a minimum follow-up of six years. METHODS: We evaluated the results of a consecutive series of 148 primary ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasties that had been performed between May 2001 and October 2005 in 142 patients. The mean age was 57.2 years (range, 23 to 81 years). The mean follow-up period was 7.8 years (range, 6.1 to 10.1 years). Preoperative diagnosis was avascular necrosis in 77 hips (52%), degenerative arthritis in 36 hips (24.3%), femur neck fracture in 18 hips (12.2%), rheumatoid arthritis in 15 hips (10.1%), and septic hip sequelae in 2 hips (1.4%). Clinical results were evaluated with the Harris hip score, and the presence of postoperative groin or thigh pain. Radiologic analysis was done with special attention in terms of wear, periprosthetic osteolysis, and ceramic failures. RESULTS: The mean Harris hip score improved from 58.3 (range, 10 to 73) to 92.5 (range, 79 to 100) on the latest follow-up evaluation. At final follow-up, groin pain was found in 4 hips (2.7%), and thigh pain was found in 6 hips (4.1%). Radiologically, all femoral stems demonstrated stable fixations without loosening. Radiolucent lines were observed around the stem in 25 hips (16.9%), and around the cup in 4 hips (2.7%). Endosteal new bone formation was observed around the stem in 95 hips (64.2%) and around the cup in 88 hips (59.5%). No osteolysis was observed around the stem and cup. There were 2 hips (1.4%) of inclination changes of acetabular cup, 2 hips (1.4%) of hip dislocation, 1 hip (0.7%) of ceramic head fracture, and 1 hip (0.7%) of squeaking. The Kaplan-Meier survival rate of the prostheses was 98.1% at postoperative 7.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: The ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty produced excellent clinical results and implant survival rates with no detectable osteolysis on a minimum six-year follow-up study. The ceramic-on-ceramic couplings could be a reasonable option of primary total hip arthroplasty for variable indications.

Management of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Role of the Tendon Augmentation / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of debilitating pain, reduced shoulder function, and weakness. Despite improvements in the understanding of the disease process and advances in surgical treatment, recent studies have reported that healing of massive rotator cuff tears is not as predictable as that of smaller rotator cuff tears. These high failure rates are a result of both mechanical and biologic factors that may affect the patients' intrinsic capacity to heal. Most research studies have concentrated on tissue engineering as a means for improvement of healing in rotator cuff repair, including the use of scaffolds, growth factors, and mesenchymal stem cells. There has been much interest in the development of various scaffolds that provide adequate strength as well as stimulate and enhance healing potential. The purpose of this paper is to review the current basic science and clinical application of extracellular matrix scaffolds, which are currently the most widely used scaffolds for repair of rotator cuff tears.

Clinical and Radiological Evaluation after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair Using Suture Bridge Technique

BACKGROUND: We retrospectively assessed the clinical outcomes and investigated risk factors influencing retear after arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique for rotator cuff tear through clinical assessment and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA). METHODS: Between January 2008 and April 2011, sixty-two cases of full-thickness rotator cuff tear were treated with arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique and follow-up MRA were performed. The mean age was 56.1 years, and mean follow-up period was 27.4 months. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using range of motion, Korean shoulder score, Constant score, and UCLA score. Radiological outcome was evaluated with preoperative and follow-up MRA. Potential predictive factors that influenced cuff retear, such as age, gender, geometric patterns of tear, size of cuff tear, acromioplasty, fatty degeneration, atrophy of cuff muscle, retraction of supraspinatus, involved muscles of cuff and osteolysis around the suture anchor were evaluated. RESULTS: Thirty cases (48.4%) revealed retear on MRA. In univariable analysis, retear was significantly more frequent in over 60 years age group (62.5%) than under 60 years age group (39.5%; p = 0.043), and also in medium to large-sized tear than small-sized tear (p = 0.003). There was significant difference in geometric pattern of tear (p = 0.015). In multivariable analysis, only age (p = 0.036) and size of tear (p = 0.030) revealed a significant difference. The mean active range of motion for forward flexion, abduction, external rotation at the side and internal rotation at the side were significantly improved at follow-up (p 0.05). The locations of retear were insertion site in 10 cases (33.3%) and musculotendinous junction in 20 cases (66.7%; p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Suture bridge repair technique for rotator cuff tear showed improved clinical results. Cuff integrity after repair did not affect clinical results. Age of over 60 years and size of cuff tear larger than 1 cm were factors influencing rotator cuff retear after arthroscopic suture bridge repair technique.

Surgical Treatment of Femoral Unstable Intertrochanteric Fractures in Elderly Patients: Comparative Study between Compressive Hip Screws and Additional Trochanteric Stabilizing Plates

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiologic results between compressive hip screw and compressive hip screw with additional trochanteric stabilizing plate in patients with femoral unstable intertrochanteric fractures in patients with more 65 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2006 to May 2009, 121 cases were included. Group I (compressive hip screw only) was 54 cases and group II (compressive hip screw with trochanteric stabilizing plate) was 67 cases. We checked the lag screw sliding, lateral translation of greater trochanter, changes of neck-shaft angle and complications through periodic follow up of radiographs. RESULTS: Mean lag screw sliding was 7.6 mm in group I and 3.9 mm in group II (p=0.001). Mean lateral translation of greater trochanter was 3.86 mm in group I and 0.59 mm in group II (p=0.01). Mean changes of neck-shaft angle was nearly the same, 3.57degrees in group I and 3.66degrees in group II. Complications were 15 cases in group I and 10 cases in group II. CONCLUSION: Compressive hip screw with additional trochanteric stabilizing plate was effective surgical option in patients with femoral unstable intertrochanteric fractures in patients with more than 65 years old. It decreased lag screw sliding, lateral translation of greater trochanter and complication rates.

Clinical Characteristics and Surgical Results of Spinal Intradural Tumor

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study about spinal intradural tumor. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed clinical symptom, findings of MRI, and surgical outcome of spinal intradural tumor. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Intradural tumors are not commonly reported and they show non-specific clinical features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 18 patients who underwent surgical treatment and radiologically and pathologically diagnosed as spinal intradural tumor from 1997 to 2009 were reviewed. We evaluated pain, neurological symptoms, location of tumor as well as degrees of signal intensity and its enhancement of MRI(T1 and T2). And clinical outcomes were analyzed according to Klekamp-Samii scoring system and Visual Analogue Scale(VAS). RESULTS: All patients were clinically suffered from back pain and radiating pain of lower extremity including 3 patients with neurological symptoms. We radiologically found single tumor in 16 cases and masses more than two lesion in 2 cases. 1 case was located on cord level(T7), 14 cases cauda equine level, and 3 cases sacral level. We performed laminectomy in 18 cases and posterior instrumentation was applied to 8 cases. In clinical features, mean Klekamp-Samii score was improved from 21.6 to 23.5(p<0.05) and VAS was recovered from 5.2 to 3.0 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal intradural tumor has non-specific clinical symptoms. Therefore we should perform MRI to find intradural tumor and active management including surgical treatment should be performed due to clinically good results.

Treatment of Hallux Valgus with Distal Chevron Metatarsal Osteotomy / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The authors intended to analyze the operative results of mild to moderate hallux valgus treated with distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six feet of twenty three patients were followed for more than 1 year after the distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy. Biplanar osteotomy with wedge resection was done when the distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) was increased. The mean age was 39 years, and the mean follow up period was 27 months. Clinically preoperative and postoperative AOFAS hallux MP-IP scale and satisfaction after the surgery were analyzed. Radiologically hallux valgus angle, the 1st intermetatarsal angle, DMAA and sesamoid position before and after the operation were analyzed. RESULTS: Distal chevron osteotomy was done in 15 cases and biplanar osteotomy was done in 11 cases. Clinically AOFAS scale was increased from 65.3 points preoperatively to 92.2 points postoperatively. Two patients were not satisfied with the results. Radiologically hallux valgus angle was decreased from 21.9degrees preoperatively to 8.5degrees postoperatively. The first intermetatarsal angle was decreased from 11.8degrees preoperatively to 6.7degrees postoperatively. DMAA was decreased from 11.8degrees preoperatively to 5.5degrees postoperatively. There was one case of minor wound infection. CONCLUSION: Distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy appears to be safe and satisfactory procedure for mild to moderate hallux valgus.