• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.26-29
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• 2010

Objective: Recurrent lumbar disc herniation has been reported to occur in 5% to 15% of surgically treated primary lumbar disc herniation cases. We investigated the molecular biologic characteristics of primary herniated discs and recurrent discs to see whether the recurrent discs has the similar biological features with primary herniated discs. Methods: Primary hemiated disc and recurrent disc cells were obtained by discectomy of lumbar disc patients and cells were isolated and then taken through monolayer cultures. We compared chondrogenic and osteogenic mRNA gene expression, and western blot between the two groups. Results: The mRNA gene expression of recurrent disc cells were increased 1.47* times for aggrecan, 1.38 times for type I collagen, 2.04 times for type II collagen, 1.22 times for both Sox-9 and osteocalcin, and 1.31 times for alkaline phosphatase, respectively, compared with the primary herniated lumbar disc cells (*indicates p < 0.05). Westem blot results for each aggrecan, type I collagen, type II collagen, Sox-9, osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase were similar between the primary herniated disc cells and recurrent disc cells. Conclusion: These results indicate that the recurrent disc cells have similar chondrogenic and osteogenic gene expression compared to primary herniated disc cells. Therefore, we assumed that the regeneration of remaining discs could fill the previous discectomy space and also it could be one of the factors for disc recurrence especially in the molecular biologic field.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.5-13
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• 2010

Objectives : Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc is common reason causing back pain. Lumbar stabilization exercise prevent back pain recurrence by strengthening lumbar muscles. Sling Exercise Therapy(SET) is a system for spinal muscle stabilization and strengthening using fixed string and mobile band. The purpose of this study is to investigate and measure the effectiveness of SET and oriental medicine for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods : The subjects for this study are 40 patients suffering from Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc in our clinic. They were measured and compared by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS), 4 grades of recovery degree and sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type, times of exercise. Results : In the above index, the score(VAS, 4 grades of recovery degree) improved after treatments. But they make no difference between sex, age, period of disease, disc herniation type and times of exercise. Conclusions : These results suggest that SET may be used for Herniated lumbar intervertebral disc for pain management and muscle strengthening as an essential treatment regardless of sex, age, period of disease and disc herniation type.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.165-173
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report effectiveness of oriental medical treatments to symptoms and quality of life in the patients with herniated lumbar disc being suggested operation. Methods : Eighteen patients diagnosed with herniated lumbar disc by MRI in hospital were treated by oriental medical treatments. Symptoms of the patients were assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS) and SF-36. Results : After the treatments, the VAS of symptoms of herniated lumbar disc and the score of role-physical scale in SF-36 were improved but the other scores of scales were not significantly different. Conclusions : It could be suggested that oriental medical treatments were effective for the patients with herniated lumbar disc being suggested operation. Further study of the effect of oriental medical treatments on herniated lumbar disc is needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.75-81
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• 2015

Objectives To investigate the relationship between cervical intervertebral space narrowing in the X-ray and HIVD level of cervical spine in the CT image. Methods We studied 101 subjects who were taken cervical spine X-ray and CT. Intervertebral space were measured at the anterior, middle and posterior portion of each cervical disc in the X-ray. Considering individual difference, intervertebral space was set as value divided by upper width of lower vertebral body. We analyzed statistically adjusted intervertebral space of normal group and herniated disc group using student' t t-test. Results Intervertebral space of cervical spine was narrowed in the herniated disc group. But there was no significant difference at C2~C3. Conclusions We found that narrowing intervertebral space of cervical spine is associated with herniated disc. Further clinical observation is needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.192-197
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• 2005

Background: Radicular pain, associated with herniated intervertebral disc, has been treated with either conservative treatments or a traditional surgical discectomy. Several modalities for minimally invasive percutaneous procedures have been developed as alternatives to a surgical discectomy. Percutaneous decompression using a $Dekompressor^{(R)}$ probe has been recently introduced. Herein, we report the outcome of percutaneous decompression with a $Dekompressor^{(R)}$ for the treatment of a herniated intervertebral disc. Methods: Between August 2004 and April 2005, percutaneous decompression was performed using a $Dekompressor^{(R)}$, 1.5-mm percutaneous lumbar discectomy probe in 17 patients with a herniated lumbar intervertebral disc resistant to conservative treatments, with the results reviewed retrospectively. The procedure was performed under fluoroscopic guidance after local anesthesia. Disc access was gained with a posterolateral approach on the symptomatic side and intradiscal placement of the discectomy probe in the herniated disc confirmed from the anteroposterior and lateral views on the fluoroscopy. Results: We obtained satisfactory clinical results in 14 patients with a decrease in the initial Visual analogue scale (VAS) of more than 55% and the elimination or reduction of analgesic medication, with a follow-up of 3 to 11 months. Conclusion: We concluded that a percutaneous discectomy with a $Dekompressor^{(R)}$ probe might be an effective alternative for the treatments of painful disc herniations resistant to conservative managements when performed under proper selection criteria.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.33-41
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of Korean Medicine treatment on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and predictive factors associated with disc resorption by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 79 lumbar disc herniation patients who had visited Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. Patients' diagnosis was based on MRI. MRI was performed on two or more occasions and patients were received Korean Medicine treatment within the period. The volume of each herniated disc was measured three-dimensionally and patient characteristics, interval between MRIs, herniated disc level, disc herniation type, disc migration, intactness of posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), initial volume of herniated disc, modic change, disc resorption rate were statistically analyzed. Results The mean volumes of herniated discs before Korean Medicine treatment and after Korean Medicine treatment were $1,547.81{\pm}598.15mm^3$ and $947.06{\pm}335.28mm^3$, respectively. The mean resorption rate was $35.7{\pm}16.3%$. Disc extent, intactness of PLL and initial volume of herniated discs were significantly correlated with resorption rate (p=0.003, p=0.001 and p=0.024, respectively). Conclusions Korean Medicine treatment is an effective conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Factors such as disc migration, intactness of PLL, initial volume of herniated disc have a significant association with disc resorption rate.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-195
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• 2015

Objectives : This is a case series reporting of the improvement in patients with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc by means of acupotomy combined with oriental medicine. Methods : We treated seven patients with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with acupotomy combined with oriental medical treatment. We checked the numeric rating scale(NRS), oswestry low back pain disability index(ODI) and range of motion(ROM). Results : NRS and ODI decreased, and ROM improved in all cases. Conclusions : This study shows acupotomy has a meaningful effect when applied on a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to report the clinical effects of needle-embedding acupuncture therapy combined with Korean medicine on a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc. Methods : We treated one patient with a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc with needle-embedding acupuncture therapy combined with Korean medical treatment. We checked the numeric rating scale(NRS), oswestry low back pain disability index(ODI) and straight leg raising test(SLRT). Results : In this case, the numeric rating scale decreased, while the straight leg raising test results improved. Conclusion : Needle-embedding acupuncture therapy could be effective for pain-reduction for a lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.136-144
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• 2002

The Purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar strength and lumbar flexor/extensor ratio between spondylolisthesis and herniated disc patients. The patients who had a subacute low back pain have been proved to each disease through MRI and we measured the maximal isometric strength of all patients(28) through MedX lumbar extension machine(Ocala, FL). In all patients, males had higher lumbar extensor strength than that of females. Especially, the spondylolisthesis patients had lower lumbar extensor strength than that of herniated disc patients. The statistical significant(p<.05, p<.01) differences were manifested in $48^{\circ},\;60^{\circ}\;and\;72^{\circ}$ between male groups. Also the statistical significant (p<.05) differences were manifested in $60^{\circ}\;and\;72^{\circ}$between female groups. In the lumbar flexor/ extensor ratio, the males of spondylolisthesis groups represented the functional weakness in the flexed portion of the range of motion, and the females of spondylolisthesis and the all patients of herniated disc represented the functional weakness in the extended portion of the range of motion. In conclusion, we may propose the program such that the spondylolisthesis males must increase the ratio of extended portion exercise, and the spondylolisthesis females and herniated disc patients must increase the ratio of flexed portion exercise.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.36-39
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• 2012

The spontaneous regression of herniated cervical discs is not a well-established phenomenon. However, we encountered a case of a spontaneous regression of a severe radiculopathic herniated cervical disc that was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and herb medicine. The symptoms were improved within 12 months of treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conducted at that time revealed marked regression of the herniated disc. This case provides an additional example of spontaneous regression of a herniated cervical disc documented by MRI following non-surgical treatment.