• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1420-1425
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of traction and decompression therapies on the cervical muscle tone and disc height. The decompression group (n=16) received decompression therapy and Mckenzie exercises once a day and four times a week respectively, for three weeks. The traction group (n=15) also received traction therapy and Mckenzie exercises for the same period. Muscle tone was measured with a myotonometer, and the disk height was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), before the interventions. Three weeks later, we investigated the therapeutic effect by repeating these measurements. The difference in disk height between the two groups was not significant. There was a significant difference in the disk herniation index (p<.05). A significant difference was found only in the upper trapezius muscle after comparison of muscle tone and stiffness between the groups (p<.05). Findings from this study suggest that the decompression therapy is a more effective intervention for patients with cervical intervertebral disc herniation.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.101-110
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The propose of this study is to find out the clinical application of conservative treatment to 3 patients who has Disc Extrusion on L-spine MRI Methods: We examined 3 patients with Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation (HIVD of L-spine) with Disc Extrusion who showed changes on MRI images before/after the treatment among HIVD of L-spine patients who visited Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine. Results: In this study, the first MRI examination of HIVD of L-spine patients was performed at the first visit and re-examination of MRI was done after the treatment. In each case, the size of the extruded disc was considerably reduced in MRI image. Low back and leg pain was also reduced significantly after conervative oriental medical treatment. Conclusions: Conservative oriental medical treatment can be effective for improving symptoms of HIVD, decreasing pain, also decreasing the volume of herniated disc.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.13-16
• /
• 2002

The Intervertebral disc is a composite structure made up of the nucleus pulposus (NP) core surrounded by the multi-layered fibers of the annulus fibrosis (AF)[1]. Water is drawn into the NP by the presence of hydrophilic proteins called proteoglycans [2]. The AF, with successive layers oriented in alternating directions, surrounds the NP. These layers are placed under tension as the NP absorbs water and swells [3]. (omitted)

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.103-116
• /
• 2016

Objectives : This study was performed to assess the effectiveness of conservative Korean traditional medical treatment on lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 12 adolescents. Methods : Data were collected from adolescent patients diagnosed with lumbar intervertebral herniation by MRI, hospitalized at Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. A total of 12 patients were included in the study. Patients were treated by acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, chuna manual therapy, physical therapy during hospitalization period. To measure treatment outcomes, a verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), range of motion (ROM), Straight leg raising test (SLR), and EQ-5D were used. Results : The average age of the participants was $16.05{\pm}1.62$. The average of duration of symptom was $19.25{\pm}26.83(weeks)$ and the average length of hospitalization was $23.8{\pm}16.4(days)$. 2 patients (17 %) suffered from only lumbar pain, while 10 patients (83 %) suffered from lumbar and leg pain. No participant suffered from only leg pain. 8 patients (67 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in one segment, and 4 patients (33 %) were diagnosed with disc herniation in multiple segments. A total of 17 disc segments (28 %) were herniated. The most herniated lumbar level was L4-5. 3 segments were diagnosed with bulging (17 %), 6 with protrusion (35 %), and 8 with extrusion (47 %). Extrusion was the most frequent herniated type. After treatment, the average VNRS of lumbar pain significantly decreased from $5.58{\pm}1.62$ to $2.91{\pm}1.56$ (p<0.001) and the average VNRS of leg pain significantly decreased from $5.16{\pm}2.51$ to $3.08{\pm}1.8$ (p<0.001). ODI significantly decreased from $48.87{\pm}18.72$ to $28.57{\pm}15.05$ (p<0.05), and EQ-5D significantly increased $0.58{\pm}0.31$ to $0.80{\pm}0.12$ (p<0.05). Range of flexion significantly improved from $61.25{\pm}32.62$ to $68.33{\pm}26.22$ (p<0.05). Conclusion : Conservative Korean Traditional Medical Treatment may be effective in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescence. However, more case reports and clinical research are needed.

• Asian Spine Journal
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.1060-1068
• /
• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective study. Purpose: Lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is an important cause of low back pain. Overview of Literature: Spinal fusion is often reported to have a good course for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, many studies have reported that adjacent segment degeneration is accelerated after lumbar spinal fusion. Radiography is a simple method used to evaluate the orientation of the vertebral column. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the method most often used to specifically evaluate intervertebral disc degeneration. The Pfirrmann classification is a well-known method used to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease. After spinal fusion, an increase in stress, excess mobility, increased intra-disc pressure, and posterior displacement of the axis of motion have been observed in the adjacent segments. Methods: we retrospectively secured and analyzed the data of 15 patients (four boys and 11 girls) with AIS who underwent a spinal fusion surgery. We studied the full-length view of the spine (anterior-posterior and lateral) from the X-ray and MRI obtained from all patients before surgery. Postoperatively, another full-length spine X-ray and lumbosacral MRI were obtained from all participants. Then, pelvic tilt, sacral slope, curve correction, and fused and free segments before and after surgery were calculated based on X-ray studies. MRI images were used to estimate the degree to which intervertebral discs were degenerated using Pfirrmann grading system. Pfirrmann grade before and after surgery were compared with Wilcoxon signed rank test. While analyzing the contribution of potential risk factors for the post-spinal fusion Pfirrmann grade of disc degeneration, we used generalized linear models with robust standard error estimates to account for intraclass correlation that may have been present between discs of the same patient. Results: The mean age of the participant was 14 years, and the mean curvature before and after surgery were 67.8 and 23.8, respectively (p<0.05). During the median follow-up of 5 years, the mean degree of the disc degeneration significantly increased in all patients after surgery (p<0.05) with a Pfirrmann grade of 1 and 2.8 in the L2-L3 before and after surgery, respectively. The corresponding figures at L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 levels were 1.28 and 2.43, 1.07 and 2.35, and 1 and 2.33, respectively. The lower was the number of free discs below the fusion level, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade of degeneration (p<0.001). Conversely, the higher was the number of the discs fused together, the higher was the Pfirrmann grade. Conclusions: we observed that the disc degeneration aggravated after spinal fusion for scoliosis. While the degree of degeneration as measured by Pfirrmann grade was directly correlated by the number of fused segments, it was negatively correlated with the number of discs that remained free below the lowermost level of the fusion.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2015

Objectives : This study is planned to classify correlation between thoracic kyphosis angle and prevalence of cervical intervertebral disc. Methods : We Measured the thoracic kyphosis angel of the 110 men and 179 women patients with neck pain in 00 Korean Medicine Hospital. We use Cobb's angle method and Thoracic cage dimension method for measuring the thoracic kyphosis. And We use Magentic Resonance Imaging(MRI) for classifying the patient who has cervical intervertebral disc or not. Results : 1. There was statistical difference on the thoracic cage dimension with gender(P<0.001), while there was no statistical difference on Cobb's angle with gender(P=0.882). 2. Age and thoracic cage dimension(r=0.383) is statistically more correlative than age and cobb's angle(r=-0.59). Conclusions : 1. Thoracic cage dimension and gender, Thoracic cage dimension and age were statistically concerned on patient who has neck pain, while Cobb's angle had no statistical correlation with age and gender. 2. There was no statistical difference on the Cobb's angle and Thoracic cage Dimension between patient who has one or more cervical disc herniation(Protrusion disc, Extrusion disc) segment and patient who didn't have cervical disc herniation(Protrusion disc, Extrusion disc) segment.

• Journal of Applied Reliability
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.243-247
• /
• 2014

The Spinal cage is the cage-shaped implantable medical device used to treat structural abnormalities caused by degenerative intervertebral disks. In order to secure enough space to provide the mechanical stability and the intervertebral fusion, after removing the intervertebral disc, the Spinal cage is transplanted between the intervertebral space. A hammer is used to push the spinal cage into a narrow space during the spinal cage transplant surgery. Due to the impact and pressure, damage occurs frequently on the spinal cage. In this study, a test model is constructed to measure the value of impulse generally applied on the Spinal cage. The figures of internal impulse before and after the improvement of the Spinal cage are then compared to suggest direction to improve the reliability of the spinal cage.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.160-168
• /
• 2003

Background: Confirm the stability of intervertebral disc sustaining each fused lumbar spine cases, comparing vertical compression, A-P shear force and rotational moment on intervertebral disc of instrumented lumbar spine with simple vertical compression load and follower load using finite element analysis. Materials and Methods: We analyze the stability of intervertebral disc L4-5 supporting fused lumbar spine segments. After performing finite element modelling about L1-L5 lumbar vertebral column and L1-L4 each fusion level pedicle screw system for fused lumbar spine fine element model. Intervertebral discs with complex structure and mechanical properties was modeled using spring element that compensate stiffness and tube-to-tube contact element was employed to give follower load. Performing geometrical non-linear analysis. Results: The differences of intervertebral disc L4-5 behavior under the follower compression load in comparision with vertical compression load are as follows. Conclusion: As a result of finite element interpretation of instrumented lumbar spine, the stability of L4-5 sustaining fused lumbar segment, the long level fused lumbar spine observed hing stability under follower load. This research method can be the basis tool of effects prediction for instrumentation, a invention of a more precious finite element interpretation model which consider the role of muscle around the spine is loaded.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2016

Objectives : This study is planned to classify Correlation between Cobbs Angle of Lumbar scoliosis and prevalence of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc. Methods : We Measured the lumbar scoliosis angle of the 114men and 91 women patients with lumbar pain in Bucheon Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. We use Cobb's angle method for measuring the lumbar scoliosis. And We use Magentic Resonance Imaging(MRI) for classifying the patient who has lumbar intervertebral disc or not. Results : 1.There was no statistical relation between the Cobbs angle and gender(P>0.05) 2.There was no statistical relation between the Cobbs angle and age(P>0.05) 3.There was significant relation between the direction of lumbar scoliosis and the direction of disc herniation(P<0.05) 4.There was no statistical relation between on the Cobbs angle and disc herniation. The more severe of lumbar scoliosis has not tendency of disc herniation. 5.There was no statistical relation between lumbar scoliosis Cobbs Angle on HIVD of L-spine patient and direction of disc herniation on horizontal plane. Conclusions : The direction of disc herniation has tendency of the opposite direction of lumbar scoliosis. When disc herniation, opposite side bending broad intervertebral foramen and reduce pressure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.559-563
• /
• 2016

Objective : Low back pain, caused intervertebral disc degeneration has been treated by thermal annuloplasty procedure, which is a non-surgical treatement. The theoretical backgrounds of the annuloplasty are thermal destruct of nociceptor and denaturization of collagen fiber to induce contraction, to shrink annulus and thus enhancing stability. This study is about temperature and its distribution during thermal annuloplasty using 1414 nm Nd : YAG laser. Methods : Thermal annuloplasty was performed on fresh human cadaveric lumbar spine with 20 intact intervertebral discs in a $37^{\circ}C$ circulating water bath using newly developed 1414 nm Nd : YAG laser. Five thermocouples were attached to different locations on the disc, and at the same time, temperature during annuloplasty was measured and analyzed. Results : Thermal probe's temperature was higher in locations closer to laser fiber tip and on lateral locations, rather than the in depth locations. In accordance with the laser fiber tip and the depth, temperatures above $45.0^{\circ}C$ was measured in 3.0 mm depth which trigger nociceptive ablation in 16 levels (80%), in accordance with the laser fiber end tip and laterality, every measurement had above $45.0^{\circ}C$, and also was measured temperature over $60.0^{\circ}C$, which can trigger collagen denaturation at 16 levels (80%). Conclusion : When thermal annuloplasty is needed in a selective lesion, annuloplasty using a 1414 nm Nd : YAG laser can be one of the treatment options.