Joon Yub Kim

Factors Affecting Rotator Cuff Healing After Arthroscopic Repair Osteoporosis as One of the Independent Risk Factors

Background: The prognostic factors associated with structural outcome after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair have not yet been fully determined. Hypothesis: The hypothesis of this study was that bone mineral density (BMD) is an important prognostic factor affecting rotator cuff healing after arthroscopic cuff repair. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Among 408 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for full-thickness rotator cuff tear between January 2004 and July 2008, 272 patients were included whose postoperative cuff integrity was verified by computed tomography arthrography (CTA) or ultrasonography (USG) and simultaneously who were evaluated by various functional outcome instruments. The mean age at the time of operation was 59.5 ± 7.9 years. Postoperative CTA or USG was performed at a mean 13.0 ± 5.1 months after surgery, and the mean follow-up period was 37.2 ± 10.0 months (range, 24-65 months). The clinical, structural, and surgery-related factors affecting cuff integrity including BMD were analyzed using both univariate and multivariate analysis. Evaluation of postoperative cuff integrity was performed by musculoskeletal radiologists who were unaware of the present study. Results: The failure rate of rotator cuff healing was 22.8% (62 of 272). The failure rate was significantly higher in patients with lower BMD (P < .001); older age (P < .001); female gender (P = .03); larger tear size (P < .001); higher grade of fatty infiltration (FI) of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis (all P < .001); diabetes mellitus (P = .02); shorter acromiohumeral distance (P < .001); and associated biceps procedure (P < .001). However, in the multivariate analysis, only BMD (P = .001), FI of the infraspinatus (P = .01), and the amount of retraction (P = .03) showed a significant relationship with cuff healing failure following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Conclusion: Bone mineral density, as well as FI of the infraspinatus and amount of retraction, was an independent determining factor affecting postoperative rotator cuff healing. Further studies with prospective, randomized, and controlled design are needed to confirm the relationship between BMD and postoperative rotator cuff healing.

Arthroscopic Repair of Massive Rotator Cuff Tears Outcome and Analysis of Factors Associated With Healing Failure or Poor Postoperative Function

Background: Many patients with an unhealed cuff after repair show functional improvement. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of arthroscopically repaired massive rotator cuff tears and to identify prognostic factors affecting rotator cuff healing and functional outcome, especially in patients with failed rotator cuff healing. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Among 173 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of a massive rotator cuff tear, 108 patients with a mean age of 63.7 years were included. Outcome evaluation was completed both anatomically (CT arthrography or ultrasonography) and functionally at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively; mean follow-up period was 31.68 ± 15.81 months. Various factors affecting cuff healing were analyzed, and factors affecting functional outcome were evaluated in patients with failed repairs using both univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The anatomic failure rate was 39.8% in arthroscopically repaired massive rotator cuff tears; however, functional status significantly improved regardless of cuff healing (P < .05). Several factors were associated with failure of cuff healing in the univariate analysis, but only fatty infiltration (FI) of the infraspinatus was significantly related to healing failure in the multivariate analysis (P = .04). Among patients with failed rotator cuff healing, only reduced postoperative acromiohumeral distance (AHD) was related to poor functional outcome in the multivariate analysis (P = .01), with a cutoff value of 4.1 mm. Conclusion: Despite a high rate of healing failures, arthroscopic repair can be recommended in patients with massive rotator cuff tears because of the functional gain at midterm follow-up. Higher FI of the infraspinatus was the single most important factor negatively affecting cuff healing. In cases of failed massive rotator cuff repair, no preoperative factor was able to predict poor functional outcome; reduced postoperative AHD was the only relevant functional determinant in the patients’ eventual functional outcome and should be considered when ascertaining a prognosis and planning further treatment strategies.

Is Early Passive Motion Exercise Necessary After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

Background: Early passive motion exercise has been the standard rehabilitation protocol after rotator cuff repair for preventing postoperative stiffness. However, recent approaches show that longer immobilization may enhance tendon healing and quality. Purpose: To elucidate whether early passive motion exercise affects functional outcome and tendon healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: One hundred five consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic repair for small to medium-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tears were included. Patients with large to massive tears and concomitant stiffness or labral lesions were excluded. Patients were instructed to wear an abduction brace for 4 to 5 weeks after surgery and to start active-assisted shoulder exercise after brace weaning. Fifty-six patients were randomly allocated into group 1: early passive motion exercises were conducted 3 to 4 times per day during the abduction brace-wearing period. Forty-nine patients were allocated into group 2: no passive motion was allowed during the same period. Range of motion (ROM) and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were measured preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Functional evaluations, including Constant score, Simple Shoulder Test (SST), and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, were also evaluated at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging, or computed tomography arthrography was utilized to evaluate postoperative cuff healing. Results: There were no statistical differences between the 2 groups in ROM or VAS for pain at each time point. Functional evaluations were not statistically different between the 2 groups either. The final functional scores assessed at 12 months for groups 1 and 2 were as follows: Constant score, 69.81 ± 3.43 versus 69.83 ± 6.24 (P = .854); SST, 9.00 ± 2.12 versus 9.00 ± 2.59 (P = .631); and ASES score, 73.29 ± 18.48 versus 82.90 ± 12.35 (P = .216). Detachment of the repaired cuff was identified in 12% of group 1 and 18% of group 2 (P = .429). Conclusion: Early passive motion exercise after arthroscopic cuff repair did not guarantee early gain of ROM or pain relief but also did not negatively affect cuff healing. We suggest that early passive motion exercise is not mandatory after arthroscopic repair of small to medium-sized full-thickness rotator cuff tears, and postoperative rehabilitation can be modified to ensure patient compliance.

Outcome of Rotator Cuff Repair in Large-to-Massive Tear With Pseudoparalysis A Comparative Study With Propensity Score Matching

Background: Active range of motion deficit is one of the alleged negative influencing factors of rotator cuff repair. Recently, with the popularity of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA), there is a tendency toward performing RTSA in cases of nonarthritic large-to-massive tears with pseudoparalysis. Hypothesis: Rotator cuff repair in patients with active motion deficit may yield inferior outcome. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Among 195 complete repairs of large-to-massive rotator cuff tears, 35 patients experienced painful pseudoparalysis preoperatively. Propensity score matching (1-to-1) was performed between pseudoparalytic and nonpseudoparalytic groups. Finally, 29 patients in each group were matched using the following variables: age, gender, dominance, onset period, aggravation period, number of tendons involved, retraction, operation method (arthroscopic or mini-open), rows of repair (single or double), number of anchors, and fatty degeneration of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. At least 1 year after surgery (mean, 30.5 months), range of motion, visual analog scale for pain and satisfaction, Constant score, Simple Shoulder Test, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and University of California, Los Angeles shoulder rating scale (UCLA score) were evaluated. Healing of repaired cuffs was evaluated by computed tomography arthrography. Results: Range of motion was improved in both groups after rotator cuff repair. Active forward elevation had significantly improved postoperatively in the pseudoparalytic group (P < .001). All functional outcome scores improved at the final follow-up visit compared with preoperative values (all P < .05). Preoperative Constant, ASES, and UCLA scores were significantly inferior in the pseudoparalytic group, but all except the Constant score showed no differences between the 2 groups at the final follow-up (P = .04). Postoperatively, 7 patients (24.1%) in the pseudoparalytic and 1 (3.4%) in the nonpseudoparalytic group showed pseudoparalysis (P = .03). Among 37 patients who underwent postoperative computed tomography arthrography, cuff healing was achieved in 6 of 18 (33.3%) in the pseudoparalytic and 9 of 19 (47.4%) in the nonpseudoparalytic group (P = .385). Conclusion: Recovery from pseudoparalysis after rotator cuff repair was evident in a large portion of the study group, and postoperative function and cuff healing were not different according to the presence of pseudoparalysis. Considering possible complications and longevity of RTSA, rotator cuff repair should be the first-line treatment option for large-to-massive tears.

Effectiveness of Subacromial Anti-Adhesive Agent Injection after Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Prospective Randomized Comparison Study

Background Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair generally has a good clinical outcome but shoulder stiffness after surgery due to subacromial adhesion is one of the most common and clinically important complications. Sodium hyaluronate (HA) has been reported to be an anti-adhesive agent in a range of surgical procedures. However, there are few reports of the outcomes of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of the shoulder. This study examined whether a subacromial injection of HA/carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) affected the postoperative shoulder stiffness and healing of rotator cuff repair, as well as the safety of an injection. Methods Between January 2008 and May 2008, 80 consecutive patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were enrolled. The patients were assigned randomly to the HA/CMC injection group (n = 40) or control group (n = 40). All patients were evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, passive range of motion at 2, 6 weeks, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, and the functional scores at 6, 12 months postoperatively. Cuff healing was also evaluated using CT arthrography or ultrasonography at 6 or 12 months after surgery. Results The HA/CMC injection group showed faster recovery of forward flexion at 2 weeks postoperatively than the control group but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.09). There were no significant difference in pain VAS, internal rotation, external rotation and functional scores between two groups at each follow-up period. The functional scores improved 6 months after surgery in both groups but there were no differences between the two groups. The incidence of unhealed rotator cuff was similar in the two groups. There were no complications related to an injection of anti-adhesive agents including wound problems or infections. Conclusions A subacromial injection of an anti-adhesive agent after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair tended to produce faster recovery in forward flexion with no adverse effects on cuff healing. However, its anti-adhesive effects after rotator cuff repair should be considered carefully with further studies.

Isokinetic muscle strength profile of ladies professional tour golfers

BACKGROUND: The highly trained professional tour golfers would likely have different strength profiles in their muscle groups from non-athletes, which may be associated with the level of golf performance. OBJECTIVES: To describe an isokinetic muscle strength profile of several upper and lower extremity muscles of ladies professional tour golfers in comparison to non-athlete controls, and to explore possible correlations between strength and driving distance and average score. METHODS: Sixty seven ladies professional tour golfers and 25 non-athletic women were enrolled. Absolute and weightadjusted concentric isokinetic peak torque (PT) at 60◦/s of the shoulder abductors, adductors and rotators, and elbow and knee flexors and extensors were measured bilaterally. RESULTS: All absolute and most weight-adjusted PTs were significantly higher in professional tour golfers than non-athletes. The weight-adjusted PT differed significantly only with respect to the shoulder adductors and knee muscles. Significantly higher strength ratios: bilateral shoulder adductor/abductor, right shoulder internal/external rotator, right elbow extensor/flexor, and bilateral knee flexor/extensor characterized the golfers. Further, the correlations between the strength of any of the tested muscles and either the driving distance or the average score were low to negligible. CONCLUSIONS: These results furnish a reference framework for isokinetic strength of the abovementioned muscles of professional tour golfers, and thus be used in setting realistic rehabilitation goals for lady golfers who suffer from some injury involving, directly or indirectly, these muscles.

Cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score

Background The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score (KJOC score) was developed for assessing performance and function in overhead athletes with shoulder and elbow injury and recently adapted as the standard score for overhead athletes in Major League Baseball. However, the Korean version of the KJOC score was not developed in the literature. The aim of the current study was to adapt the English version of the KJOC score to develop a Korean version (K-KJOC) and to evaluate its validity and reliability. Methods A total of 52 professional baseball players in the Korean Baseball League completed the K-KJOC at two-week intervals during the off-season. The QuickDASH (11-point Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) score was also performed to evaluate the construct validity of the K-KJOC score. The internal consistency of reliability and test–retest reliability were assessed as well. Results The K-KJOC score was correlated with the Quick DASH – disability/symptom (−0.309, ~−0.268, p < 0.05), Quick DASH – work (r = −0.721 to −0.671, p = 0.000) and QuickDASH – sports (r = −0.721 to −0.714, p = 0.000). The internal consistency of the K-KJOC score was excellent (Cronbachs α: 0.917–0.966), and the intra-class correlation coefficients of test–retest reliability for the 10 items for the K-KJOC score were fair to excellent (ICC 0.505–0.937, p < 0.05). Conclusion The K-KJOC score appeared to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing shoulder and elbow injuries in Korean overhead athletes.

Analysis of the Korean Orthopedic In-Training Examination: The Hip and Pelvis Section

Purpose The purpose of this study was to analyze the questions in the hip and pelvis section of the Korean Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (KOITE). Materials and Methods We analyzed all KOITE questions pertaining to hip and pelvis surgery between 2010 and 2014. A thorough analysis of the contents was performed after categorizing as tested topics, imaging modalities used, taxonomic classification, and recommended references. We also analyzed the scores of the hip and pelvis section of the KOITE. Results Seventy-five of five-hundred questions (weight, 15.0%) were related to the hip and pelvis. Trauma including fracture and dislocation (26/75, 34.7%) was asked more commonly than disease and basics. The description-only questions (65/75, 86.7%) were the most frequently asked. According to taxonomic classification, taxonomy 3 (decision; 39/75, 52.0%) was most frequently asked. Campbells Operative Orthopedics (52/75, 69.3%) was the reference that covered most of the questions. Conclusion This analysis of the hip and pelvis section of KOITE could be used for resident training programs in teaching hospitals.

Effect of Smoking on Healing Failure After Rotator Cuff Repair

Background: No study to date has directly evaluated rotator cuff repair results among smokers. Purpose: To evaluate whether smoking affects healing after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair through propensity score matching (PSM). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Among 249 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears, 34 current heavy smokers were selected with a smoking history >20 pack-years (mean ± SD pack-years, 33.91 ± 12.13). Characteristics between current heavy smokers and nonsmokers were compared. According to the PSM technique, 34 nonsmokers were selected after 1:1 matching for age, fatty infiltration, and tear size—the main prognostic factors of outcomes after rotator cuff repair. Each patient’s outcome evaluation was completed anatomically at a minimum of 6 months (magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography) and functionally at a minimum of 1 year (pain visual analog scale, range of motion, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, Constant, University of California, Los Angeles, and Simple Shoulder Test scores), and every outcome was analyzed in the matched smoker and nonsmoker groups. Results: Current heavy smokers had a higher incidence of male sex (P < .001), heavy manual work (P = .025), high bone density (P = .036), and poor tendinosis grade (P = .028). After adjustment for the confounding variables by PSM, the matched smoker group showed a significantly higher healing failure rate than the matched nonsmoker group (29.4% vs 5.9%, P = .023). However, we failed to detect significant differences in the functional outcomes between the matched groups (P > .05). Conclusion: Smoking affected healing failure after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Attention should be paid to smokers, especially current heavy smokers, in cases of rotator cuff repair surgery.

Predictability of Early Postoperative Ultrasonography After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair

The predictability of early postoperative ultrasonography (USG) for evaluating the structural integrity of repaired rotator cuffs is still unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the predictability of early USG performed 3 and 6 months postoperatively with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 1 year after arthroscopic cuff repair for structural failure. Among 213 patients who had arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery in 2013, one hundred thirty-eight patients who underwent USG between 3 and 6 months postoperatively and MRI at 1 year postoperatively were enrolled; the postoperative MRI findings were the reference standard used for the comparison. One hundred one patients who were examined using USG at 3 months postoperatively were allocated to group A, and 108 patients who had USG at 6 months postoperatively were allocated to group B. All diagnostic values, including positive and negative predictabilities, were calculated by 2-way tables. To compare the sensitivity and specificity between groups A and B, the area under the curve was calculated from the receiver operator characteristic curve for each group. The positive predictability values were 86.36% and 93.51% for USG at 3 and 6 months postoperatively, respectively. The negative values were 84.21% and 95.83%, respectively. The areas under the receiver operator characteristic curves for groups A and B were 0.853 and 0.947, respectively (P=.048). Although the predictability of a single USG at 3 months postoperatively reached approximately 85%, USG evaluation at 6 months postoperatively might be relevant for predicting structural failure after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(6):e975-e981.].