• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2011

Lifting chair is a typical assistive product to aid for standing up and sitting down for persons with disability. It is particularly useful for the elderly persons whose muscular system is weakened by degenerative joint disease. This paper describes biomechanical assessments of lifting chair with hip-up function. In experiments we measured 3D motion and electromyographic(EMG) signal on the femoral muscle when subject performs the standing motion on the predetermined seat height. Based on assessment of the standing motion, we select the hip-up angle as 15 degrees to cover the relative femoral angle when EMG peak value is appeared. Using an implemented prototype lifting chair with hip-up function we perform standing experiments with five subjects. The experimental results show that the lifting and hip-up functions are effective to assist for standing up motion with less muscle force.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.235.1-235.1
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• 2003

With an aim of obtaining high efficacy in cartilage regeneration, implantable polymeric rods were fabricated. These rod-type matrices were anticipated to perform structural tissue supporting activity and enhance extracellular matrix (ECM) formation by releasing specific agent, DHEA-S, in controlled manner. It is expected that application for the drilling operation on the articular cartilage of OA patients as the implants may promote regeneration of their cartilage. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, spur formation, and synovial inflammation. (omitted)

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2022

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by loss of motor neurons, resulting in motor weakness of the limbs and/or bulbar muscles. Pain is a prevalent but neglected symptom of ALS, and it has a significant negative impact on the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. This review outlines the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, underlying mechanisms, and management strategies of pain in ALS to improve clinical practice and patient outcomes related to pain. Pain is a prevalent symptom among patients with ALS, with a variable reported prevalence. It may occur at any stage of the disease and can involve any part of the body without a specific pattern. Primary pain includes neuropathic pain and pain from spasticity or cramps, while secondary pain is mainly nociceptive, occurring with the progression of muscle weakness and atrophy, prolonged immobility causing degenerative changes in joints and connective tissue, and long-term home mechanical ventilation. Prior to treatment, the exact patterns and causes of pain must first be identified, and the treatment should be tailored to each patient. Treatment options can be classified into pharmacological treatments, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antiepileptic drugs, drugs for cramps or spasticity, and opioid; and nonpharmacological treatments, including positioning, splints, joint injections, and physical therapy. The development of standardized and specific assessment tools for pain-specific to ALS is required, as are further studies on treatments to reduce pain, diminish suffering, and improve the quality of life of patients with ALS.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.23 no.4 s.43
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• pp.503-527
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• 1993

This paper describes a new method to create an animal model for TMJ internal derangement in the New Zealand white rabbits and the light and electron microscopical changes of posterior attachment of them. Twenty six rabbits(2.5-3.0kg), four normal and twenty two experimental, were used. The right disc of experimental animal was displaced anteriorly without sectioning the posterior attachment and tied to the zygomatic arch with nylon not to be reduced to the original position. The left TMJ was sham-operated to be compared with its right experimental one. Normal animals were sacrificed one day and eight weeks after experiment. Experimental animals were sacrificed one day, ten days, three weeks, five weeks and eight weeks after surgery respectively. They were fixed intravenously with $2\%$ glutaldehyde under general anesthesia and the samples of them were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. The purpose of this experiment is to make a suitable animal model of disc displacement without reduction for studying and understanding the cellular and morphologic events in posterior attachment of TMJ including early changes which were difficult to be observed in human TMJs. The results of this investigation suggest the following conclusions : 1. Authors induced anterior disc displacement surgically in rabbits with new method to examine histologic changes of posterior attachment. Tissue reactions of this model seem to be similar to those observed in human disc displacement. We think this animal model for anterior disc displacement may be used to explore and evaluate objectively the effects of many treatment modalities in disc displacements. 2. The animal disease model showed inflammation at early stage(one and ten days). At this stage there were mild-to-severe mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration, numerous newly formed vessels, vessel dilatation and engormement and many fibroblasts. 3. At middle stage(three weeks), fibrosis occurred, where fibroblasts decreased in number, but their cytoplasm was profuse indicating high activity. Collagen fibers increased in number and the tissue looked more dense. 4. At late stage(five weeks and eight weeks) showed degenerative changes including perforation of posterior attachment, disintegration of collagen fiber bundles, degeneration of fibroblasts, metastatic ossification, and dystrophic calcification.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2011

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and is led to physical disability. Yet the development of effective disease-modifying treatments has lagged. In this study, I examined the effect of physical therapeutic intervention through microcurrent stimulation and attempt to find which degree of intensity, either 25 ${\mu}A$ or 500 ${\mu}A$ with a regular 5 pps pulse, is more effective in the osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was induced with a mixture of 2% carrageenan and 2% kaolin in 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The mixture (0.1 $m{\ell}$) was injected into the intra-articular capsule of knee joint once a week for three weeks. Five animals did not show degenerative changes by radiological findings and excluded in the following experiment. Osteoarthritic animals were randomly divided into 3 groups ($n_1$, $n_2$, $n_3$=7/each): untreated, treated with 25 ${\mu}A$, treated with 500 ${\mu}A$. All experimental groups received microcurrent stimulation for four weeks (15 min/day, 5 days/week). The ethological inspection of foot print analysis on the walking corridor was accomplished every week. Histological preparations and immunohistochemical staining with insulin-like growth factor-1 were also done in the articular cartilages. All of these parameters were compared with those of osteoarthritic control group (n=7). The ethological inspection of foot print analysis revealed that changes of walking track (paw width) and stride length was significantly increased in both experimental groups. The better results were observed in experimental group treated with 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity without significance than group treated with 500 ${\mu}A$. Histological preparations disclosed that routine hyaline cartilage of articular surface were altered to fibrous cartilage in untreated group and experimental group treated with 500 ${\mu}A$ intensity. But a little changes were seen in experimental group treated with 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity. Immunolocalization of insulin-like growth factor-1 was simultaneously decreased according to the duration of osteoarthritis, and did not show significant difference among the groups. In this study discovered that the microcurrent stimulation, especially 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity, had a positive effect by the ethological inspection, histological and immunohistochemical stainings. These results suggest that microcurrent stimulation with low-intensity might be effective in the promotion of healing process for the osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.289-294
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• 1998

본 증례는 측두하악관절의 퇘행성 변화를 보이는 환자에서 악교정 수술의 시행 전에 중심위교합장치를 통해 측두하악관절의 안정화를 유도하고, 또한 골스캔을 이용하여 장치의 치료효과를 평가한 임상증례이다. 환자는 24세의 여성으로 5년 전부터 전치부 개교합이 발생되기 시작하였고, 고형식 저작시 좌측 전이부에 간헐적인 통증이 발생한다는 주소로 본원에 내원하였다. 임상검사상 촉진시 양측 관절낭 후방부에 압통을 호소하였으며, 각각 50, 45mm의 최대개구량 및 최대무통성 개구량을 보였다. 좌측 악관절부에서 단순 관절 잡음, 우측 악관절부에서 염발음이 청취되었으며, 저항검사 및 부하 검사에서는 특기할 반응을 보이지 않았다. 약 7mm의 전치부 개교합의 소견을 보였으며, 파노라마 사진과 횡두개 방사선 사진 소견상 양측 과두의 크기 및 하악지의 높이가 다소 작은 소견이 관찰되었고 자기공명영상 소견상 양측성 비정복성 관절원판의 전방전위가 관찰되었다. 1997년 10월 27일 첫 번째 골스캔 소견상 양측성 비정복성 관절원판의 전방위가 관찰되엇다. 골스캔의 전방 사진에서 Densitometer를 이용하여 좌, 우측 과두부위와 상악 골부위의 가장 어두운 부분의 흑화도를 측정하였다. 각각 3회씩 구하여 평균을 구하고 좌, 우측 과두 대 상악골의 흑화도의 비율을 계산하였다. 첫번째 골스캔의 평균 흑화도는 우측 과두, 좌측과두, 상악골이 각각 0.88, 0.81, 1.32 였다. 1997년 11월 4일 중심위교합장치를 장착하였고 지속적인 물리치료를 시행하였다. 1997년 12월 10일 두 번째 골 스캔을 평균 흑화도는 우측 과두, 좌측 과두, 상악골이 각각 0.33, 0.37, 088 이었다. 1998년 1월 30일 세 번째 골스캔 소견상 두 번째 골스캔과 비교하여 활성도가 감소된 소견을 보였다. 임상검사시 무통이었다. 1998년 2월 25일 술 전 교정 위해 중심위교합장치의 장작을 중지시켰다. 1998년 6월 5일 네 번째 골스캔 소견상 이전 검사들과 비교시 흡수가 감소된 소견을 보였다. 네 번째 골스캔의 평균 흑화도는 우측 과두, 좌측 과두, 상악골이 각각 0.24, 0.19, 0.85 였다. 현재 지속적인 관찰 중이며 본원 교정과에서 악교정수술 위한 술 전 교장을 시행중이다. 결국 첫 번째 골스캔의 과두 대 상악골의 평균 흑화도의 비율은 우측과 좌측이 각각 0.66, 0.61이었고 두 번째 골스캔에서는 우측과 좌측이 각각 0.37, 0.42였고, 네번째 골스캔에서는 우측과 좌측이 각각 0.28, 0.23 이었다. 각 골스캔의 과두 대 상악골의 평균 흑화도의 비율 사이에 유의한 차이가 있는지 검증하기 위해 Standard t-test 와 ANOVA를 시행하였다. 이상의 결과에서 첫 번째, 두 번째, 네 번째 골스캔으로 갈수록 좌, 우측 과두 대 상악골의 흑화도의 비율이 유의하게 감소했음을 알 수 있었다. 결론적으로 본 증례에서는 전치부 개교합이 발생되어 악교정수술이 필요한 환자에게 측두하악관절의 안정화를 위해 중심위교합장치를 사용함으로써 퇴행성 관절질환의 진행을 억제시킬 수 있고, 퇴행성 관절질환의 활성도에 대한 평가시 골스캔이 유용할 수 있음을 보여주었다고 사료된다.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.141-158
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• 1995

This study was performed to invetigate the relationship between clinical manifestations related to temporomandibular joint sounds and temporomandibular joint vibrations that occurred synchronously with sounds. There have been reported in many articles that joint sounds indicate internal joint pathology. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate type and patterns of joint sounds, and radiographic changes of temporomandibular joint(TMJ) in order to diagnose and deal with the Temporomandibular Disorders(TMD). For this study 142 patients with TMDs were collected and they were examined by routine diagnostic procedure for TMDs. The author classified TMJ sounds clinically into 3 types : click, popping, and crepitus. Transcranial and panoramic radiographs were taken for observein bony changes of TMJ, and for observing vibrations of TMJ Sonopak of Biopak system was used. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Female subjects with crepitus were older than those with click or popping and their mean ages were about 45 years old. But in male subjects, there was no age difference. 2. For all subjects, mean value of maximal mouth opening were above 40mm, which are lower limit of normal vertical opening. But in subjects with L-type opening deviation, mouth opening capacity were about 36mm of range. 3. Symptom duration stated when patient presented first were slightly longer in subjects with crepitus but there were no statistical differences. And there were also no radiographic differences among 3 types of joint sounds in regard to symptom duration. 4. In subjects wih click, it might have been interpreted that 12% had closed lock, 12% had degenerative joint disease, and about 17% of he subjects had normal joints by Sonopak. 5. There were no significant relationships between subjective loudness of joint sounds and magnitude of joint vibrations. 6. The highest value of Integral and peak amplitude were observed in popping sounds and though it was not significant, value of peak frequency was highest in crepitus. 7. Amount of mandibular positional change were differed between click and crepitus on frontal plane, between click, crepitus and popping on horizontal plane in rotational movement, respectively. However, there no difference among them in translational movements.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.493-509
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• 1998

Osteoarthritis(degenerative joint disease), the most common arthropathy affecting the aged people, is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage with proliferation and remodeling of subchondral bone. Osteoarthritis of the knee, which probably has greater social cost and more associated disability than osteoarthritis of any other joint, prevalence is known to increase with age, and females have higher rates than males; radiographic abnormalities are present in more than 30% of persons more than 65 years old, with approximately 40% of these persons symptomatic. Though the etiology of osteoarthritis is not entirely understood, much information is available regarding risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis that permit some reasonable guideline for preventive strategies. Traumatic damage or occupational or recreational overuse of knee joint may result in osteoarthritis, and obesity also is related to osteoarthritis of the knee. A variety of other possible risk factors for the development of knee osteoarthritis have been proposed, including increased bone mass, smoking, diseases such as diabetes or elevated serum uric acid, and some metabolic factors, but the contribustions of these and other factors such as smoking or race and diseases such as diabetes are as yet undetermined. The usual clinical manifestations include pain, stiffnesss, crepitus and loss of function. In oriental medicine, osteoarthritis of the knee is very similar to diseases such as Bijung(痺症), Haksulpung(鶴膝風), Youkjeolpung(歷節風) in symptoms. The diseases such as Bijung(痺症), Haksuipung(鶴膝風), Youkjeolpung(歷節風) is related to the of function liver(肝) and kidney(腎) and risk factors are regarded as Pung(風), Han(寒), sub(濕). The diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee has often been based on radiographic appearance and clinical manifestations. The acupuncture therapy of osteoarthritis of the knee has often been based on Stomach meridian(ST), Spleen meridian(SP), Kidney meridian(KI), Liver meridian(LR).

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.161-164
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• 2021

The foramen of Huschke (FH) or foramen tympanicum is a persistent bony defect connecting the external auditory canal (EAC) to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It arises from an incomplete ossification of the tympanic part of the temporal bone that persists after the age of 5. If a herniation exists in the TMJ, otological symptoms may occur. An 80-year-old female patient complained of noise in her left TMJ and otorrhea in her left ear. On her cone beam computed tomography images, there were only degenerative joint disease signs on her left mandibular condyle. However, her computed tomography images revealed that the soft tissue of the TMJ herniate into the EAC. Additional examination was planned for the further evaluation. But the patient no longer visited the hospital due to her systemic health status, and symptoms disappeared spontaneously without any treatments. Usually this type of herniation is very rare, but years of mechanical stress from mastication may result in weakening and widening of the foramen with age. Therefore, although FH is usually congenital, sometimes it may be acquired in the elderly. The treatment plan should be determined in consideration of the patient's symptom level and the patient's general health status. If the clinical symptoms are not severe, no treatment is required.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.17
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• 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by breakdown of joint cartilage. Mitochondrial dysfunction of the chondrocyte is a risk factor for OA progression. We examined the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation for OA. Mitochondria were injected into the knee joint of monosodium iodoacetate-induced OA rats. Chondrocytes from OA rats or patients with OA were cultured to examine mitochondrial function in cellular pathophysiology. Pain, cartilage destruction, and bone loss were improved in mitochondrial transplanted-OA rats. The transcript levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, matrix metallopeptidase 13, and MCP-1 in cartilage were markedly decreased by mitochondrial transplantation. Mitochondrial function, as indicated by membrane potential and oxygen consumption rate, in chondrocytes from OA rats was improved by mitochondrial transplantation. Likewise, the mitochondrial function of chondrocytes from OA patients was improved by coculture with mitochondria. Furthermore, inflammatory cell death was significantly decreased by coculture with mitochondria. Mitochondrial transplantation ameliorated OA progression, which is caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of mitochondrial transplantation for OA.