Magnetic Resonance Imaging on Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Can the PCL hea

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the continiuty of ligament in chronic injury of the pos- terior cruciate ligament(PCL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI#) of twenty-six PCL injury patients with grade II or III laxity and more than 5mm side to side difference on stress radiographs were reviewed in terms of ligamentous continuity and thickness of the ligament at average 7.2 months(range:1-36) after injury. RESULTS: Eighteen PCLs(69%) showed continuity of PCL. When thickness of the ligament in cases without continuity was rated as zero, the average thickness of the PCLs as compared to intact portion of the ligament increased as the time from injury elapsed; 16.4% in 0 2 months group(7 cases), 30.0% in 3- 5 months group(6 cases), 53.8% in 6-8 months group(9 cases) and 80.0% in over 9 months group(4 cases). CONCLUSTION: More than two thirds of PCLs in symptomatic chronic injury showed ligamentous continuity on MRI. The longer the interval from injury was, the thicker the PCL was.

A Comparative Study About The Natural Course Of Idiopathic Frozen Shoulder And The Effectiveness Of Conservative Treatment / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate about the natural course of idiopathic frozen shoulder and the efficacy of conservative treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five cases of unilateral frozen shoulder (study group) treated conservatively by intra-articular steroid injection and staged passive stretching were prospectively followed for average 9.1 months, the outcome was assessed in terms of motion range and the function score derived from patients' self-evaluation, and timing of improvement was searched. Compared with study group, 20 patients (control group) , who were diagnosed as idiopathic frozen shoulder but didn't undertake specific treatment, were checked at average 40 months. RESULTS: Eighteen cases (72%) of the study group had residual symptom, which was mild in most cases. Range of motion less than 80% of normal side was noted in 2 cases. Intra-articular steroid injection was effective for pain relief in 75%. In the control group, one case showed decreased motion and 2 case had mild pain. Comparing with the control group, the study group was improved significantly & statistically faster. CONCLUSION: It is construed that the long term result of idiopathic frozen shoulder is excellent and the combined effect of steroid injection and stretching shortens the duration of disease. Operative treatment for idiopathic frozen shoulder, if indicated, needs to be decided after long term follow-up.