• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.422-426
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• 2005

Objective: Different types of interbody fusion cages are available for use in the surgical treatment of degenerative cervical diseases. The purpose of this study is to assess the technical feasibility, clinical efficacy and radiological results of intervertebral fusion with a carbon composite Osta-Pek frame cage (Co-Ligne AG, Switzerland) following anterior cervical discectomy. Methods: 41 patients (25males and 16females) with minimum 6months follow-up were included in the study. Disc height, cervical lordotic angle, segmental angle, and fusion rate were assessed by lateral radiographs. In this retrospective analysis, clinical outcome was assessed as evaluated according to Odom's criteria. Results: Fifty-four cages were implanted in 30 single-level, 9 two-level, and 2 three-level procedures. The mean disc height, cervical lordosis angle, segmental angle were $4.2{\pm}1.8mm,\;23.5{\pm}7.2^{\circ},\;2.3{\pm}3.3^{\circ}$ pre-operatively and $5.3{\pm}2.1mm,\;24.2{\pm}8.3^{\circ},\;3.8{\pm}3.5^{\circ}$ at 6months after the surgery. Six months after surgery, there was radiographic evidence of fusion in 92.7% (38/41) of the patients. According to Odom's criteria, 37 of 41 (90.2%) patients experienced good to excellent functional recovery. Conclusion: These clinical and radiological results suggest that the carbon composite Osta-Pek frame cages are safe and effective alternative to autologous bone graft after anterior cervical discectomy for treatment of degenerative cervical disease.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.33-44
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• 2018

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) on hamstring flexibility in patients with neck pain. A secondary purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cervical range of motion (CROM) and craniovertebral angle (CVA). Methods: This study was a single-blind, randomized, comparative trial. Twenty patients were allocated into either the cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) group or the CSE group. Before and after the intervention, we measured straight leg raise (SLR), popliteal angle (PA), CROM, and CVA in the sitting and standing positions. Fisher's exact test, the Mann-Whitney test, and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test were used to analyze our data. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the value of SLR, PA, cervical extension, cervical rotation, and CVA in the standing position (both, p<.05) after intervention. However, only the CSE group showed significant improvements in cervical right lateral flexion (z=-2.209; p<.01) and cervical left lateral flexion (z=-2.537; p<.05) after intervention. The CSF group showed more significant improvements in SLR, PA, both cervical lateral flexions, and both cervical rotations than the CCFE group. Conclusions: The results of this study will guide future research in identifying the effectiveness of CSE. In conclusion, it can be inferred that CSE has a positive effect on SLR, PA, CROM, and CVA in the standing position in patients with chronic neck pain.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.95-101
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• 2012

Objectives : This study is performed to evaluate the clinical effect of Chuna therapy on the neck pain associated with kypotic cervical curvature. Methods : This study carried out on two patients with neck pain & kyphotic cervical curvature who have received treatment in Department of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine, Dong-seo Oriental Medical hospital from 4th April 2011 to 26th May 2012. Pre and post treatment, We evaluated the cervical angle, Jackson's angle, Jochumsen method, VAS and effective score of treatment. Results & Conclusions : Two patients who received Chuna treatment recovered cervical curvature and improved neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between the cervical lordosis angle (CLA) and the craniovertebral angle (CVA) and between CVA and a cross-sectional area (CSA) of the cervical muscles. METHODS: In 17 healthy college students, the CLA was measured using a posterior tangent technique. The CVA was analyzed using photographic images, and the CSA of the cervical muscles, including longus colli, longus capitis, and sternocleidomastoid, was evaluated using computerized tomography. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between these variables and a neck disability index. RESULTS: The CVA correlated with the CLA and with a CSA of longus colli (r = .487, p = .047 and r = .592, p = .012, respectively). The CLA correlated with a CSA of longus colli (r = .578, p = .015). CONCLUSION: This study clarified the relationship between the postural, structural, and muscular changes in the cervical regions. A significant correlation was observed between the CVA and a CSA of the longus colli with the CLA and between the CVA and the CSA of the longus colli. Prescription strengthening exercises for the deep neck flexors for individuals with a forward head posture and reduced cervical lordosis are useful.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.230-239
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• 2002

Kyphotic cervical curvature, straghtening is commonly caused by trauma, muscle spasm without trauma and wrong posture, etc. Objective : This study is performed to evaluate the clinical effect of neck pain associated with Kyphotic cervical curvatre on cervical x-ray lateral view. Methods : One of the many causes, We examined the patients with neck pain & upper back pain who visited to Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Gumi Oriental Hospital of Kyung-San University from 16th June 1999 to 22th June 2000. Pre and post treatment, We evaluated the cervical angle, Jochumsen's method, VAS(visual analogue scale) and effective score of treatment. Results & Conclusion : 1. Kyphotic cervical curvature is mainly caused by wrong posture during long term, sudden trauma, etc. therfore, postcervical muscles and tendon are injuryed by strong stress. So, muscle imbalance and pain is occured. 2. On these cases, The improvement index for pre/post treatment showed 28/42, 10/15, 9/30, 28/42 degree in cervical angle. Jochumsen's method showed -1/+2, -9/-3, -5/-2, -1/+2mm. Afer treatment VAS is 2, 1, 1, 1 and effective score of treatment is above good. The results suggest that treatments of Oriental Medicine(Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Chu-Na, Cupping and Physical therapy) are effective methods for neck pain with kyphotic cervical curvature on cervical x-ray lateral view.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-107
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• 2015

In anteroposterior radiation test for cervical vertebra, it is general that the incidence angle of X-ray is $15^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}$ degrees to head regardless of position. So this study suggests appropriate incidence angle of cervical vertebra depended on the position. From 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013, cervical spine radiographys and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 107 people who visited P Hospital located in Pusan. Among them, 39 people(men 24, women 15) were below 80 above 20 years old(average age 54 years) with normal cervical lordosis(normal $40^{\circ}{\pm}5^{\circ}$). In erect position, the incidence angle of cervical vertebra is measured from lateral radiographic images. And in supine position, it measured from MRI sagittal images. Results based on gender, the incidence angle of cervical vertebra in erect position was $25.9^{\circ}$ for men, women was $23.1^{\circ}$, showed statistically significant (p<0.05). And the angle in supine was $11.6^{\circ}$ for men, women was $12.6^{\circ}$, showed not statistically significant (p>0.05) An analysis of age group shows, the incidence angle of cervical vertebra in erect position was $24.6^{\circ}$ under 50, and $25.0^{\circ}$ over 50. The angle in supine was $12.0^{\circ}$ under 50, and $11.9^{\circ}$ over 50. And all of them showed not statistically significant (p>0.05). At all ages, the average of incidence angles in erect position were $24.8^{\circ}$, and the angle in supine was $12.0^{\circ}$, showed statistically significant (p<0.05). The cervical vertebra incidence angle for X-ray was $15^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}$ degrees to head in general. But, through the results, it is recommended that the angle is $24.8^{\circ}$ in erect and $12.0^{\circ}$ in supine position. It could be shown true anteroposterior(AP) view of cervical vertebra and accurate intervertebral fusion fixing devices.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on the cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle among adolescents in the forward head posture. Methods: The subjects include 22 adolescents that recorded a mild level or higher on the posture evaluation index by New York State. They were randomly divided to the hand exercise group (n=11) and the control group (n=11). The former group participated in the sling exercise program three times a week over four weeks in total with each session lasting 60 minutes, whereas the latter group was not included in the program. The cervical lordotic angle, craniovertebral angle, and head rotation angle were measured before and after the intervention. Results: The study compared the cervical lordotic angle between the two groups before and after sling exercise and found that the sling exercise group made an increase of $7.36^{\circ}$ from $21.91^{\circ}$ to $29.27^{\circ}$ after the intervention(p<.05). As for the comparison results of the craniovertebral angle, the sling exercise group made an increase of $5.64^{\circ}$ from $48.91^{\circ}$ to $54.55^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<.05). As for the comparison results of the cranial-rotation angle, the sling exercise group made an decrease of $-7.73^{\circ}$ from $148.82^{\circ}$ to $141.09^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<.05). The control group showed no differences before and after the intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: Those findings indicate that the application of sling exercise in the forward head posture can be a good program to maintain the right posture and improve or prevent an abnormal posture and raise a need for more clinical applications and ongoing researches.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2012

In anteroposterior projection for cervical vertebra, it is general that the incidence angle of X-ray is $15^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}$ degrees to head in order to prevent overlap of mandible and occipital bone and to observe array of cervical interbody and shapes of joints. However, the angle is appropriate for foreigners that was determined by foreign literature review long ago, and there have been few researches of incidence angle for Koreans' body type. The purpose of in this study are to identify the incidence angle appropriate for Koreans and to present methodology. In order to measure the incidence angle, 1,044 patients who visited S Hospital located in Seosan were selected and measured of average length of cervical vertebra, OID, axis angle, and FID. The incidence angle was calculated from the applied formula by measuring average values per age groups and sex (see Formula 1 and 2). The average length of cervical vertebra was 6cm: the length was increased from teenagers to twenties but was decreased since thirties. The difference between males and females was around 1cm (p<.01). The OID was almost the same regardless of age groups and sex. As for axis angle, the slope was increased in teenagers and twenties, but was decreased since thirties. The difference between males and females was around 2 degrees (p<.01). The FID measurements were almost the same regardless of age groups and sex, and when the incidence angle was measured from these values, the teenagers were $15.9^{\circ}$, the twenties were $16.9^{\circ}$, the thirties were $16.6^{\circ}$, the forties were $16.2^{\circ}$, the fifties were $15.9^{\circ}$, and the sixties were $14.5^{\circ}$, indicating that the angle was increased from teenagers to the twenties but decreased since the thirties. While the angles of males and females were measured to be the same in the teenagers, the angle was different between males and females by $2^{\circ}$. When the incidence angle statistically analyzed with measurement of average length of cervical vertebra, OID, axis angle, and FID, all of them were shown to have correlations with the incidence angle (p<.01). Conclusively, it was shown that the incidence angle was measured differently from average length of cervical vertebra, OID, FID, and axis slope, as well as from age and sex. Therefore, it can be suggested that the anteroposterior radiation test for cervical vertebra should be conducted by different incidence angles based on age and sex. The data of this study may be used as reference in determining the incidence angle of cervical vertebra tests for the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

This study compared the stability of the cervical spine according to the presence of neck pain and deep neck flexor performance. Thirty subjects with neck pain, and thirty subjects without neck pain were recruited for this study. The Cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) test was applied using a pressure biofeedback unit to classify the subjects into four subgroups; no cervical pain and good deep neck flexor performance (NG group), no cervical pain and poor deep neck flexor performance (NP group), cervical pain and good deep neck flexor performance (PG group), and cervical pain and poor deep neck flexor performance (PP group). The head sway angle was measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. A 3-kg weight was used for external perturbation with the subject sitting in a chair in the resting and erect head positions with voluntary contraction of the deep neck flexors. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed with a Bonferroni post hoc test. The deep neck flexor performance differed significantly among the four groups (p<.05). The NG group had significantly greater deep neck flexor performance than NP and PP groups. The stability of the cervical spine also differed significantly among the four groups in the resting head position (p<.05). The head sway angle was significantly smaller in NG group as compared with the other groups. The PP group had the greatest head sway angle in the resting head position. However, there was no significant difference in the stability of the cervical spine among the groups in the erect head position with voluntary contraction of deep neck flexors (p=.57). The results of this study suggest that the deep neck flexor performance is important for maintaining the stability of cervical spine from external perturbation.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.865-870
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• 2015

This study examined the effects of stretching and sling stabilizing exercises on changes in the angle of the cervical spine in military neck patients. The subjects were 20 adults diagnosed with a military neck(male:10, female:10) and they were randomly and equally assigned to a stretching exercise group and a sling stabilization exercise group. The total study period was four weeks. The intervention was applied three times per week for 60 minutes per each time. Before conducting the exercise, X-ray of each group was photographed to measure craniospinal angle(CVA) and cranial rotation angle(CRA). According to the result of comparing the two groups in changes in the cervical spine angle, there was no significant difference, and the result of comparing pre- and post-intervention was that there was significant change in CVA and CRA in the stretching group (p<.05) but there was no significant change in CVA and CRA in the sling stabilization exercise. Such result suggests stretching exercise is good for improving a military neck and stretching is more effective than sling in the therapeutic intervention for a military neck.