Does Well Maintained Graft Provide Consistent Return to Play after Medial Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction of the Elbow Joint in Elite Baseball Players?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported the clinical outcomes of medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL) reconstruction of the elbow joint in throwing athletes, including the rate of return to sports. However, little has been known about the imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction. The aim of this study is to report the clinical and imaging outcomes after MUCL reconstruction using figure of eight fashion in the elite and professional baseball players. METHODS: This study included 17 baseball players, who underwent MUCL reconstruction between July 2007 and May 2010. The average follow-up period was 48.6 months. Imaging assessment consisted of preoperative plain and stress radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and postoperative serial ultrasonography. The clinical assessments were composed of visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, range of motion, and the Conway scale. RESULTS: The mean VAS score was 6.4 (range, 3 to 8) preoperatively and 2.2 (range, 0 to 4) postoperatively (p < 0.05). There were nine players (53%) classified as excellent who returned to sports at the same or higher level compared to preinjury. Serial ultrasonography revealed well-maintained grafts at 3 and 12 months in all of the players. Five out of 17 players showed decreased echogenecity in the common flexor tendon at 3 months, which was considered as remaining tissue swelling and resolved completely at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: All grafts are well-maintained until 12-months based on the ultrasonographic findings, although only 53% of the players returned to preinjury level.

Efficacy of Ultrasonogram for the Diagnosis of Biceps Tendon Pathology

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the accuracy of ultrasound for detecting abnormality of the long head of the biceps tendon in patients with rotator cuff disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and March 2007, we reviewed the arthroscopic findings of biceps tendons in 67 patients with rotator cuff disorder and who underwent ultrasonography pre-operatively. The patients' average age was 58 years and there were 41 males and 26 females. The statuses of the biceps tendons were described as 'normal', 'dislocation', 'subluxation', 'partial or complete tears', and 'tendinopathy'. We investigated the correspondence between the arthroscopic and ultrasonographic findings. RESULTS: On ultrasonography, the biceps tendons were 'normal' in 37 patients and 'abnormal' in 30 patients. On arthroscopy, 5 biceps tendons turned out to have partial tears, which were 'normal' on ultrasonography. On the other hand, 8 biceps tendons were 'normal' which were 'abnormal' on ultrasonography. Three dislocations and 4 complete tears of biceps tendons were identified on arthroscopy, and all of them were detected by ultrasonography. Of the 20 cases of 'tendinopathy' seen on ultrasonography, 15 patients had partial tears and the remaining 5 patients were normal on arthroscopy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is accurate for detecting some biceps pathologies, such as dislocation or complete tear, but it is not accurate for the detection of partial tear.

Incidence of Hallux Valgus Interphalangeus in the Normal and Hallux Valgus Feet and its Correlations with Hallux Valgus Angle and Intermetatarsal Angle / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: In order to achieve successful outcome for the hallux valgus surgery, it is mandatory to consider the possible associated hallux valgus interphalangeus, and therefore the hallux interphalangeal angle (HIA) other than hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) has been well appreciated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the incidence of hallux interphalangeal angle in the normal and hallux valgus feet and also the statistical correlations of HIA with HVA and IMA in the 2 groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is base on the standing foot AP radiographs of the 100 normal feet (HVA25 degrees and IMA>12 degrees). We measured the hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle and hallux interphalangeal angle, where we defined the hallux valgus interphalangeus when the HIA was more than 10 degrees. We evaluated the incidence of the hallux valgus interphalangeus in the normal and hallux valgus groups and the correlations of the HIA with HVA and IMA. RESULTS: In normal feet group, hallux valgus interphalangeus comprised 82%, while there were only 20% of HVI in hallux valgus group. Among 200 total feet, there was negative correlations between the HVA and HIA as well as IMA and HIA statistically (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: There was lower incidence of hallux valgus interphalangeus in the hallux valgus group compared to the normal feet group.