• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.230-237
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of Korean medicine combination treatments for recurring back pain after medical procedures. Methods: This was a retrospective study performed on 311 patients admitted to Daejoen Jaseng hospital who were diagnosed with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral discs. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether or not they had undergone at least one medical procedure on the lumbar spine. They were assessed with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol-5 Dimensions Index (EQ-5D) before and after treatment. Results: Patients who experienced a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group A), statistically significantly improved EQ-5D and ODI scores. The NRS scores also decreased however it was not statistically significant. Patients who had not undergone a medical procedure on the lumbar spine in the prehospital phase (Group B) had statistically significantly improved ODI and NRS scores. The average EQ-5D score decreased however, there was no statistically significant difference before and after scores in Group B. There was no statistically significant difference in variation in EQ-5D, ODI, and NRS scores before and after treatment between the groups. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that even after a bilateral procedure and surgery, when pain in patients with lumbar spine herniated intervertebral disc did not decrease, (as in failed back surgery syndrome), Korean medicine combination treatment of postoperative pain was helpful and there was improvement in daily life.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1340-1344
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• 2000

Objective : A prospective biochemical assay of prostaglandin $E_2$ content in symptomatic lumbar disc materials was done in order to clarify the pathogenesis of lumbar radiculopathy. Patients and Methods : Forty-eight disc specimens were purified by a standard solid-phase extraction procedure and analyzed by an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay for prostaglandin $E_2$. Clinical and anatomic correlations were evaluated with analysis of variance and t-test. Results : Acute herniated lumbar disc diseases tended to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than degenerative lumbar disc disease. Sequestered discs tended to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than extruded discs, which also showed higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than protruded ones. A sciatica and positive straight leg raising test appeared to be associated with a higher prostaglandin $E_2$ content than a negative test. Conclusion : This result suggests that the level of prostaglandin $E_2$ would be correlated with clinical symptom and sign in the inflammatory process of lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.180-187
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• 2000

Objective : A number of evidence have suggested a pivotal role of matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) on the degeneration of intervertebral disc. Proteins of intervertebral disc mainly consist of collagen and proteoglycan. These proteins can be destructed by MMP, resulting in changes of main collagen type and degeneration of matrix proteins. The present study was to determine the different effects of MMP-1 and MMP-2 on the degenerative spinal diseases, resulting from aging process. Clinical Materials & Methods : Thirty-one patients were randomly selected among 350 patients whose discs were resected during operation from March 1997 to February 1999. Patients were divided into two groups: group I with spinal stenosis and group II with herniated intervertebral disc. Group II was subdivided into the ruptured(Group Iia) and unruptured(Group Iib). Increases in MMP-1 immunopositive cells were observed in both groups, as evidenced by immunocytochemical staining. However, in marked contrast, the number of MMP-2 immunopositive cells were only seen in group II. There was no significant difference between Group IIa and Group IIb. The MMP-2 immunopositive cells were increased in the anulus fibrosus of ruptured(Group Iia) more than unruptured(Group Iib), but statistically it was not significant. In addition, the immunopositivity of MMP-1 and MMP-2 was proportional to patients's age. Conclusion : These results strongly suggests the possible involvement of MMP-2, but not MMP-1 in progressive herniated intervertevral disc.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.327-335
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• 2013

For those of us who have read the 2 recently published articles by a Danish - British research group, it might appear that we are observing an impending paradigm shift on the origins of chronic low back pain. The results of this research indicate, that chronic low back pain associated with bone marrow edema in vertebral endplates that are adjacent to herniated intervertebral discs may be caused by infections with anaerobic bacteria of low virulence. According to these articles, treatment with certain antibiotics is significantly more effective than placebo against this low back pain. If these findings are to hold true in repeat studies by other researchers, they stand to fundamentally change our concepts of low back pain, degenerative disc disease and in consequence the suitable therapies for these entities. It may in fact require pain specialists to become familiarized with the details of antibiotic treatments and their specific risks in order to be able to properly counsel their patients. While this seems hard to believe at first glance, bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of other conditions that do not primarily impose as infectious diseases such as gastric ulcers. While the authors refer to a few previous studies pointing into the same direction, the relevant research is really only from one group of collaborating scientists. Therefore, before we start prescribing antibiotics for chronic low back pain, it is imperative that other researchers in different institutions confirm these results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lumbar disc herniation surgery for low back pain on the erectile functioning. Methods : Thirty-eight patients, with age ranging from 22 to 56 years, who had presented with pain due to herniated lumbar discs were included in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Short Form questionnaire was used to evaluate the erectile functioning. Patient visits on the 1st week,1st month and 3rd month postoperatively were analyzed. Pain scores were also noted together with side effects and the complications of the surgery. Results : Of the 38 patients, 18 patients had reported erectile dysfunction; 10 patients mild and 8 patients moderate erectile dysfunction. Twenty patients did not report erectile problems. The herniation levels mostly were L5-S1 in 12 (31.6%). Overall, erectile dysfunction rates have improved in 31.7% of those previously with erectile dysfunction in a 3 month period after the surgery. Best results were obtained in those patients with mild erectile dysfunction preoperatively. Conclusion : Mild erectile dysfunction together with radiculopathy tends to improve after lumbosacral disc surgery. Moderate and severe erectile dysfunction may be related to a more severe nerve injury or to vascular and/or psychiatric factors. An evaluation of erectile functioning should routinely be performed in patients with lumbosacral disc disease both for data accumulation and for medico legal causes since the documentation of the correlation between erectile dysfunction and lumbosacral disc disease is still lacking.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide analysis of physiological, biomechanical responses occurring from the operation to lifting or twist lifting task appears frequently in agricultural work. Methods: This study investigated the changes of physiological factors such as heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV) and biomechanical factors such as physical activity and kinetic analysis in the task of twisting at the waist while lifting. Results: Heart rates changed significantly with the workload. The result indicated that the workload of 2 kg was light intensity work, and the workload of 12 kg was hard intensity work. Physical activity increased as the workload increased both on wrist and waist. Besides, stress index of the worker increased with the workload. Dynamic load to herniated discs was analyzed using inertial sensor, and the angular acceleration and torque increased with the workload. The proposed measurement system can measure the recipient's physiological and physical signals in real-time and analyzed 3-dimensionally according to the variety of work load. Conclusions: The system we propose will be a new method to measure agricultural workers' multi-dimensional signals and analyze various farming tasks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.236-241
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• 2015

Objective : We report on the technical feasibility and limitations of the transmanubrial approach for cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) lesions and emphasize the advantage of bisecting the upper part of the manubrium in an inverted Y-shape. Methods : Thirteen patients who underwent the fourteen transmanubrial approach for various CTJ lesions were enrolled during 2005-2014. For the evaluation of the accessibility for the CTJ lesion, we analyzed the two parallel line defined as a straight line parallel to the inferior and superior plateau of the upper and lower healthy vertebrae, the angle of the two parallel lines and the distance from the sternal notch to lines at the sternum on preoperative magnetic resonance images. Surgical limitations and perspectives, as well as postoperative clinical outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. Results : The CTJ lesions were six metastases, three primary bone tumors, two herniated discs, and one each of a traumatic dislocation with syrinx formation and tuberculous spondylitis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. If two parallel lines pass below the sternal notch, the manubriotomy should be inevitably performed. The mean preoperative Visual analogue scale score was 8 (range, 5-10), which improved to 4 (range, 0-6) postoperatively. Seven cases showed an increase in Frankel score postoperatively. Conclusion : The spatial relationship between the sternal notch and the two parallel lines to the lesion was rational to determine the feasibility of manubriotomy. The transmanubrial approach for CTJ lesions can achieve favorable clinical outcomes by providing direct decompression of lesion and effective reconstruction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.141-152
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• 2017

The lumbar disc is one of the first parts of the human body to age. Female discs start to age at twenty and completely age between fifty and sixty. The number of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc patients is increasing rapidly; however, studies on protective inner wear are insufficient. This study develops protective inner wear equipment for bodies. The following were the study methods and procedures. First, the protective design, pattern and making of the inner wear were based on the analysis of collected data. Second, one subject was selected, then human body parts were measured to create the inner protective pattern. The inner pattern was made by the basic size of the subject. The inner protective equipment was made for lumbar disc disease patients after a wearing test and after correcting the pattern. Third, inner protective equipment was thoroughly tested to verify the compatibility of lumbar pads. The following were the study results and observations. First, lumbar pads who had inner protection were easily worn and the design was very ladyish in contrast to other lumbar pads on the market. Second, the pattern was completed by referring to, Lee Hyoung Sook's, torso and her lumbar pad shape. The fabric was mesh (for good ventilation) and poly spandex (for elasticity). Third, lumbar inner protective equipment was verified through a subject assessment and a major assessment. This study showed high scores on appearance and functional satisfaction versus existing disc lumbar pads in the market. This study predicts that new waist protective inner wear can help the female patient's health and social life because it has great functionality and can maintain outer line patterns.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.171-177
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• 1986

During last 48 months, in our department 51 patients with single or multiple herniated lumbar discs have received chemonucleolysis. Forty-one of 51 cases have single level herniation and remaining cases have multiple level. Age distribution were from 19 to 59 years old. Over 4 months(longest case: 18 months) follow up revealed as follows: 40 cases(78%) revealed excellent results: 4 cases(7.8%) received discectomy 3-6 months after chemonucleolysis because of recurred symtoms : no anaphylaxis and no major complications were noted.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2015

Objective : Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a relatively rare disease. Because of ambiguous clinical symptom, it is difficult for early diagnosis of OLF and subsequent treatment can be delayed or missed. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively assess the prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coexisting spinal disease in Korean patients with back pain or leg pain. Methods : The sample included 2134 Korean patients who underwent MRI evaluation for back pain. The prevalence and distribution of thoracic OLF were assessed using lumbar MRI with whole spine sagittal images. Additionally, we examined the presence of coexisting lumbar and cervical diseases. The presence of thoracic OLF as well as clinical parameters such as age, sex, and surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Results : The prevalence of thoracic OLF in total patients was 16.9% (360/2134). The prevalence tended to increase with aging and was higher in women than in men. The lower thoracic segment of T10-11 was the most frequently affected segment. Of the 360 patients with OLF, 31.9% had coexisting herniated thoracic discs at the same level. Approximately 74% of the patients with OLF had coexisting lumbar and cervical disease. Nine (2.5%) of 360 OLF patients underwent surgery for thoracic lesion. Conclusion : The prevalenceof thoracic OLF was relatively higher than those of previous reports. And coexisting lumbar and cervical disease were very frequent. Therefore, we should check coexisting spinal diseases and the exact diagnostic localization of ossification besides lumbar disease.