Arthroscopic Changes of the Biceps Pulley in Rotator Cuff Tear and Its Clinical Significance in Relation to Treatment

BACKGROUND: In the case of rotator cuff tears, the biceps pulley can be stressed by the unstable biceps tendon, and this can subsequently affect the stability of the subscapularis tendon. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between normal variations and lesions of the biceps pulley that affect anterosuperior lesions in cases of rotator cuff tears. METHODS: From January 2002 through November 2010, we observed biceps pulley and associated anterosuperior lesions in 589 of 634 cases (93%) of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair, including 72 cases (12.2%) of small tears, 219 cases (37.2%) of medium tears, 134 cases (22.8%) of large tears, and 164 cases (27.8%) of massive tears. We classified normal stretched biceps pulleys as type I, stretched biceps pulleys with mild changes as type II, those with a partial tear as type III, and torn pulleys as type IV. RESULTS: We were able to classify 589 cases of biceps pulleys as type I, II, III, or IV associated lesions in rotator cuff tears. Type I was seen in 91 cases (15.4%), type II in 216 cases (36.7%), type III in 157 cases (26.7%), and type IV in 101 cases (17.1%); unidentified cases numbered 24 (4.1%). Nearly three-quarters, 73.3%, of the cases (432/589) had associated anterosuperior lesions, and combined treatment for the associated lesions was administered in 29.2% (172/589) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Biceps pulley lesions with more than partial tears were identified in 48% of rotator cuff tear cases. The incidence and severity of pulley lesions were related to the rotator cuff tear size, the status of the long head of the biceps tendon and subscapularis tendon lesion, and the treatment methods.

Ultrasonographic Serial Evaluation after Reconstruction of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament and the Common Flexor Tendon of the Elbow in a High School Female Weight Lifter / 대한정형외과학회잡지

A 16-year-old female weight-lifter with average records of 70 kg for the snatch event and 90 kg for the clean and jerk event suffered chronic ulnar collateral ligament injury, and underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction. An ultrasonographic evaluation was performed at six weeks, three months, six months, nine months, and one year after the operation. The horizontal and vertical distances measured during the initial ultrasonographic examination as well as at six weeks, three months, six months, nine months, and one year after the operation were 8.4 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.6 mm, 2.8 mm, 2.7 mm, 2.7 mm, and -1.2 mm, 2.4 mm, 1.0 mm, 0.0 mm, 0.0 mm, 0.0 mm, respectively. The lifting records at one year after the operation were 65 kg for the snatch event and 90 kg for the clean and jerk event. The ultrasonographic method of serial examination was useful for evaluation of the rehabilitation program and for deciding on the time to return to competition.

Valgus Laxity of Elbow Joint in High School Weight Lifters: Ultrasonographic Assessment / 대한스포츠의학회지

We evaluated abnormalities in medial portion of elbow in high-school weightlifter compared with the non weightlifter using a stress radiography and ultrsonography. The experimental group(G1) was 26 high school weightlifters with an average age of 17 years old (range, 16.18 years). The control group (G2) were comprised of 25 age matched general students. Both groups received physical examination, simple and valgus stress radiography and ultrasonography on both side of elbow. Physical examination showed 26.9% (14/52 elbows) tenderness and 19.2% (10/52 elbows) valgus laxity in G1, no tenderness and laxity in G2. There were no differences in medial joint gaps on simple radiography (G1, 3.3 mm, G2, 2.7 mm; p>0.05), but the valgus stress view showed 5.6+/-0.8 mm medial joint gap in G1 and 3.8+/-0.8 mm in G2 (p<0.001). Ultrasonography in G1, angular deformity was found in 67.3% (36/52) and G2 all in normal (p<0.01). The horizontal distance was an average 4.9+/-1.23 mm for the G1 and 3.1+/-0.78 mm for the G2 (p<0.001). Vertical distance of the proximal portion of the ulna was average 0.58+/-0.94 mm for the G1 and 1.59+/-0.49 mm for the G2 (p<0.001). In G1, angular deformity of male was 50% (15/30 elbows) and female was 95% (21/22 elbows) (p<0.001). Change of horizontal and vertical distance were larger in female (p<0.05). In conclusion, there were increased incidence of medial elbow joint laxity in high school weightlifter, especially in female, regardless of career. Sustained valgus laxity could be prone to ulnar collateral ligament injury and should be evaluated with ultrasonography-assisted dynamic study.

Subclavian Portal Approach for Isolated Subscapularis Tendon Tear: Technical Note

PURPOSE: For an isolated tear of the subscapularis tendon, the presented technique using a subclavian portal provides both a good angle for anchor placement and sufficient space for managing the upper portion of a subscapularis tendon tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The conventional method needs 2 additional portals for traction, debriding the footprint and anchor fixation for repair. The presented technique requires only an anterior portal for suture management and a subclavian portal without cannula for suture anchoring and placement of suture hooks. RESULTS: The two suture limbs of the anchor can be placed on the subscapularis tendon by the switching technique and these limbs are repaired sequentially. CONCLUSION: This technique is simple and reproducible and it can be applied to partial tears and minimally retracted subscapularis tears.

Total Hip Arthroplasty Using a Large Femoral Head: The Short-Term Follow-up Results and the Early Complications

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the short-term follow-up results after total hip arthroplasty with using a 36 mm large femoral head. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2004 and August 2007, 104 patients were treated with total hip arthroplasties using a 36 mm-Cobalt-Chrome femoral head with Longevity (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) as the polyethylene liner. The average age at the time of the index operation was 61.4 years (range: 23 to 87 years), and the mean follow-up period was 27 months (range: 18 to 46 months). The clinical results and early complications after the operation were analyzed. RESULTS: The Harris Hip Scores were more than 'Good' in all cases with an average score of 93, and the Merle d' Aubigne and Postel scores were more than 'Good' in 75% of the patients. All the femoral stems that were cemented or cementless had satisfactory fixation. Dislocation developed in one case and only one time, and there were no other complications during the follow-up period CONCLUSION: Total hip arthroplasty with using a 36 mm large femoral head is a recommendable treatment with a low dislocation rate and high satisfaction, which comes from the lack of restriction of the postoperative hip position and movement.