This new quantitative measuring tool to evaluate the fatty degeneration of rotator cuff muscles was reliable and correlated well with both the preexisting grade of fatty degeneration and cuff tear size. Also, there was a significant correlation between oblique sagittal images of MDCT and MRI using this method; therefore, MDCT can be another option for imaging modality, comparable with MRI, for the evaluation of fatty degeneration of rotator cuff muscles.

PurposeBony resection of the proximal medial tibia, an alternative technique for soft tissue balancing in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), was compared to the conventional medial soft tissue release technique.Materials and MethodsFrom June 2005 to June 2007, we performed 40 TKA in 27 patients with ≥10° tibio-femoral varus deformity. The conventional, medial soft tissue release technique was applied in 20 cases and bony resection of proximal medial tibia in the other 20 cases (vertical osteotomy group). Total operation time, knee range of motion (ROM), hospital for special surgery (HSS) scores, and tibio-femoral medial-lateral gap ratio in 0°, 90°, and 130° flexion at postoperative 6 months were compared between the groups.ResultsThe total operation time was shorter in the vertical osteotomy group. Tibio-femoral medial-lateral gap ratio in 130° flexion was closer to 1 in the vertical osteotomy group (p=0.000). There was no significant difference in the ROM, HSS score, or tibio-femoral medial-lateral gap ratio in 0° and 90° flexion at postoperative 6 months.ConclusionsIn severe varus knees, bony resection of proximal medial tibia can be considered as an alternative technique, in order to decrease total operation time and to obtain medial-lateral, soft-tissue balance in deep flexion.

Background: To compare the effect of different starting periods of rehabilitative exercise (early or delayed passive exercise) on the rate of retear and other clinical outcomes after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff. Methods: In total, 103 patients who underwent arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff were included in the study. Determined at 2 weeks post-operation, patients who were incapable of passive forward elevation greater than 90˚ were allotted to the early exercise group (group I: 79 patients; 42 males, 37 females), whilst those capable were allotted to the delayed exercise group (group II: 24 patients; 14 males, 10 females). The group I started passive exercise, i.e. stretching, within 2 weeks of operation, whilst group II started within 6 weeks. The results were compared on average 15.8 months (11-49 months) post-operation using the passive range of motion, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Constant scores. Stiffness was defined as passive forward elevation or external rotation of less than 30˚ compared to the contralateral side. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out on average 1 year post-operation and the rate of retear was compared with Sugaya's criteria. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in gender, age, smoking, presence of diabetes, arm dominance, period of tear unattended, pre-operative range of motion, shape and size of tear, degree of tendon retraction, and tendon quality. There were no significant differences in clinical outcomes. Whilst stiffness was more frequent in group II (p-value 0.03), retear was more frequent in group I (p-value 0.028) according to the MRI follow-up. Conclusions: During rehabilitation after the arthroscopic repair of the rotator cuff, the delay of passive exercise seems to decrease the rate of retear but increase the risk of stiffness. (Clin Shoulder Elb 2014;17(2):57-63)

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