[Press]Prof. Rhee Sung-min's Treatments for 3 Major Shoulder Diseases

Professor Rhee Sung-min of Kyung Hee University Hospital, who founded the startup 'Itphy' last July,
is explaining the three major shoulder diseases: Frozen Shoulder, Calcific Tendinitis, and Rotator Cuff Tear. [2023.03.06]

Frozen Shoulder: Where Range of Motion Decreases as if the Joint is Frozen

The most common disease occurring in the shoulder is 'Adhesive Capsulitis,' commonly known as 'Fifty-year shoulder' (Oshipgyun) in Korea. In English, it is called 'Frozen Shoulder,' and as the name suggests, symptoms include a decrease in the range of motion as if the joint has frozen. Professor Rhee Sung-min stated, "We still do not know exactly why frozen shoulder occurs. It is a phenomenon where the joint capsule, which allows the shoulder joint to move, narrows, but the reason for this narrowing is unknown. In more than 90% of cases, the disease occurs without a clear reason." Treatment for frozen shoulder involves widening the narrowed joint capsule. Non-surgical approaches use stretching to restore the capsule to its original state, but this process is extremely painful and difficult. As the recovery period is long and patients often get exhausted, Professor Lee applies a treatment method that can widen the joint capsule in the shortest possible time. This is done through collaboration with the Anesthesiology Department. With the help of anesthesia, Professor Lee manually stretches the patient's shoulder while the arm is anesthetized to artificially widen the narrowed capsule. This treatment, called 'Passive Joint Manipulation,' has the advantage of significantly shortening the long recovery period of frozen shoulder.

Calcific Tendinitis: Affecting a Wide Range of Ages

Calcific tendinitis is a disease where calcium deposits form within the tendons of the shoulder joint area, affecting a very wide age range from the 30s to the 80s. Depending on the patient, they may complain of extreme pain, describing it as 'feeling like being stabbed in the shoulder with a knife.' Professor Rhee said, "The cause of calcific tendinitis has not been clearly identified either. However, according to academic hypotheses, there is an opinion that calcium is generated due to degeneration of the tendon itself caused by a temporary blockage of blood flow to the shoulder tendon."

Treatment approaches prioritize non-surgical methods over surgery. Steroid injection therapy is used to reduce inflammation and pain caused by calcium. However, if injection therapy does not resolve the issue, arthroscopic removal of the calcium or inflammation around it is performed. In very lucky cases where the calcium exists in a toothpaste-like consistency, it can be extracted via injection.

Rotator Cuff Tear: Difficult to Recover Naturally

Rotator cuff tear is a condition where one or more of the four tendons (subscapularis, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor) called the rotator cuff are damaged or torn, causing pain in the arm and shoulder. A torn rotator cuff can be treated with suture surgery, but if the tear is too extensive for suturing, artificial joint surgery may be performed.

Professor Rhee stated, "Frozen shoulder is difficult because of the long recovery period, but most patients are cured over time, and calcific tendinitis is also generally cured through injection therapy. Therefore, for these two diseases, non-surgical treatment is mostly recommended." He added, "However, rotator cuff tears do not recover naturally. If left untreated, the size of the tear continues to grow, so surgery is generally recommended."

Development of 'Parathyroid Hormone Treatment Injection' to Enhance Treatment Effect

Professor Rhee is a 'Young Doctor' emerging through active research in the field of shoulder joints. As the shoulder joint is closely related to daily life, he is actively continuing extensive research and developing his own treatment methods to improve patients' quality of life. In particular, the 'Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Treatment' for which Professor Lee has completed a patent application is becoming welcome news for patients.

Professor Rhee revealed, "In rotator cuff tears, the wider the range of the torn muscle, the higher the possibility of re-tear even after suturing." He added, "To reduce this possibility, I am developing a 'Parathyroid Hormone Treatment Injection' and have completed the patent application." He is actually applying it to patients and confirming the effects through the results.

Professor Rhee personally spent his own money to purchase sensors to overcome, even slightly, the limitations of the university hospital treatment system, which has long waiting times and short consultation times. This is to provide appropriate feedback by analyzing the joint range of motion data accumulated until the next outpatient visit after patients attach them to their bodies and engage in daily activities.

He emphasized, "Since consultation time is limited in university hospitals, I constantly think about efficient treatment. As part of that, I am considering various treatment methods," and added, "I will continue various research so that patients can be freer from the pain of shoulder diseases."

As part of this effort, Professor Rhee founded the startup 'Itphy' in July of last year. Itphy is a company that provides digital healthcare ranging from the prevention of musculoskeletal diseases to monitoring when diseases occur. Professor Rhee stated, "I will devote myself to research and strive in medical practice so that Itphy can fulfill its role as the No. 1 digital therapeutic company for the prevention and management of musculoskeletal diseases."