• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the quality of life of millions of individuals worldwide. In recent years, cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has become a viable treatment option for knee OA. This review thoroughly evaluated the existing literature on CRFA therapy for knee OA. It delved into the mechanisms behind CRFA, evaluated its clinical efficacy, and investigated potential avenues for future research and application. The insights gained from this review are crucial for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, offering an updated perspective on CRFA's role as a viable therapeutic option for knee OA.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as an attractive option for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint, due to their marked disease-modifying ability and chondrogenic potential. MSCs can be isolated from various organ tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, synovium, umbilical cord blood, and articular cartilage with similar phenotypic characteristics but different proliferation and differentiation potentials. They can be differentiated into a variety of connective tissues such as bone, adipose tissue, cartilage, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles. Although several studies have reported on the clinical efficacy of MSCs in knee OA, the results lack consistency. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding the proper cell dosage and application method to achieve the optimal effect of stem cells. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review the characteristics of various type of stem cells in knee OA, especially MSCs. Moreover, we summarize the clinical issues faced during the application of MSCs.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 1995

Arthritis is one of the most common disease of mankind. Major of arthritis is osteoarthritis(OA), but the cause is not clear and the characters are chronic and often progressive. So the management and the pain control of OA are very difficult and adequate ways of controlling it have not been discovered. In the present study we investigated the effects of Knee Intra-articular Injection(KII) of lidocaine with aspirin on OA of the knee. Thirty OA patients with Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) above 8 were studied and they were divided into two groups as follows; Group I(n=15); KII with 1% lidocaine 5 ml Group II(n=15); KII with 2% lidocaine 2 ml and aspirin 2 ml(180 mg, diluted with normal saline) In two groups, KII was done 2 times a week for 4 weeks and we compared the changes of VAS between two groups. The results were as follows; 1) Before the KII, initial mean VAS of group I and II was 8.8 and 8.9. After KII 2 times, VAS of group I and II was 6.6 and 6.4. These deceases were statistically significant, but there was no significant difference of VAS between two groups. 2) After KII 4 times, VAS of group I and II was 6.3 and 5.5, significant decrease was observed in group II. 3) After KII 6 times and 8 times, VAS of group I and II was not decreased anymore, but the VAS of group II was maintained in significant decreased state that of group I. We experienced that KII of lidocaine with aspirin was more effective than that of lidocaine only. So we suggest that KII of mixed solution of lidocaine and apsirin may be one of treatments for OA of the knee.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.258-266
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• 2020

Background: The genicular nerve block (GNB) is demonstrated from several reports to alleviate pain and improve knee functionality in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Ultrasound (US)-guided GNB has been the most used imaging method. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of US-guided versus blind GNB in the treatment of knee OA. Methods: This prospective, randomized clinical trial included patients with knee OA based on American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria. The patients were evaluated for clinical and dynamometer parameters at the baseline, 4 weeks after treatment, and 12 weeks after treatment. The patients underwent blind injection or US-guided injection. Results: When compared with the baseline, both groups showed significant improvement in pain, physical function, and quality of life parameters. Significant differences were observed between the groups for clinical parameters (30-second chair stand test, 6-minute walk test) in favor of the US-guided group. On the other hand, blind injection was more significantly effective on some parameters of the Nottingham Health Profile. There wasn't any significant improvement in isokinetic muscle strength for either group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that both US-guided and blind GNB, in the treatment of knee OA, were effective in reducing symptoms and improving physical function. GNB wasn't an effective treatment for isokinetic muscle function. US-guided injections may yield more effective clinical results than blind injections.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.53-66
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• 2009

Objective : Acupuncture has been widely used throughout the world for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (knee OA). This study investigated whether acupuncture, particularly Sa-am acupuncture, could be effective in relieving pain and improving the symptoms of knee OA. Method : This study was conducted as a prospective, randomized, controlled, and patient- and investigator-blinded clinical trial. Forty volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. All participants were screened through an inclusion and exclusion criteria. Thirty four participants completed the clinical trial. In total, forty subjects were randomly selected to receive Sa-am acupuncture. Eight sessions of acupuncture were given at the contralateral side of the problematic knee for 4 weeks. Korean translation of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC) scores were measured twice: at the beginning and end of the clinical trial period. Both the Patient Global Assessment and physical health scores based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were also used to measure the results. Results : Compared to the pre-trial scores, the Sa-am acupuncture group (n=34) showed a significant decrease in KWOMAC total scores according to a paired t-test. The Sa-am acupuncture group also showed significant improvement in the Patient Global Assessment when compared to the pre-trial. Conclusions : Sa-am acupuncture for knee OA resulted in an improved KWOMAC total score. This was mostly driven by the function component score that was greatly affected by acupuncture. However, further studies with expanded designs are needed to solidify this finding with scientific rigor.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.223-227
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• 2019

Radiofrequency neurolysis (RFN) of the genicular nerves has recently become accepted as an effective technique to alleviate knee pain particularly in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) or postoperative pain. However, genicular nerve RFN can produce high procedure and equipment costs, longer procedural times, procedure-related pain, and failure rate of over 25%. We are presenting two cases of alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve using fluoroscopy and ultrasonography in patients with knee OA or persistent postsurgical pain of the knee. Alcohol neurolysis of the genicular nerve with dual imaging modality can be a cheap, safe and effective method in patients with chronic knee pain.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.32-37
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• 2023

The demand for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is rapidly increasing worldwide. The most common indication for TKA is osteoarthritis (OA); however, some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) also undergo TKA. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RA on TKA. Our findings revealed that patients with RA underwent TKA at a younger age than did patients with OA. However, contrary to the findings of pre-21st century studies, the average age of TKA among patients with RA was not significantly different from that of patients with OA. Additionally, patients with RA had a 1.5-fold higher risk of undergoing TKA. Although not statistically significant, patients with RA had a higher revision TKA rate, a shorter time until revision TKA, and underwent more revision TKAs due to infections than did patients with OA. An analysis of factors that affect revision TKA revealed that the risk of revision increased if the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were increased at the time of TKA. This study showed that patients with RA have a slightly higher risk of undergoing TKA than did patients with OA. Furthermore, the presence of inflammation at the time of TKA increases the risk of revision; therefore, inflammation should be adequately controlled before performing TKA.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.21-31
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• 2008

Objective This study was performed to investigate whether Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture(BVP) could be a more effective modality than Warm Needling(WN) in relieving pain and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis(OA). Design Prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial. Setting Single center trial in Korea Patients 49 volunteers with knee OA participated in the study. All the participants were screened through an inclusion and exclusion criteria. 33 participants were completed the clinical trial. Intervention The subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received BVP(n=18), while the other group received WN(n=15). Sixteen sessions of BVP or WN were given at the pain region of the problematic knee for 8 weeks. Primary outcome measure is the Korean translation of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index scores(Korean WOMAC, KWOMAC). Secondary outcome measure is the physical health scores based on the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) and Patient Global Assessment(PGA). KWOMAC and SF-36 were measured third (baseline, 4 and 8 weeks). PGA was measured twice(4 and 8 weeks). Results BVP group showed significant decrease compared to WN group in pain, function and total scores of KWOMAC according to the Mann-Whitney U-test. In the PGA, BVP group, compared to WN group, showed a significant increase. Conclusions BVP was more effective in relieving pain of knee OA than WN. These findings suggest that BVP is a promising alternative for treating knee OA.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.633-640
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to research the prevalence and related factors for the life care of knee osteoarthritis in Koreans agricultural and fishery population. Among the agricultural and fishery population over the age of 50, 816 people were chosen to analyze the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and the prevalence odds ratio of social demographic or health related factors based on the primitive data of the 5th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was 26.3% and, in demographic terms, female, elders, and individuals with low level of educational attainment and monthly income showed higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. In health related factors, nonsmokers and people with higher BMI showed higher prevalence of knee osteoarthritis. The present cross-sectional study showing the prevalence ratio and the prevalence odd ratio revealed a high incidence of knee osteoarthritis in Korean agricultural and fishery populations.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.171-178
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the correlation between DITI and assessment instruments of knee OA. Methods : Data were obtained from 127 subjects with OA of the knee. They were asked to answer VAS pain scale, LFI, WOMAC and KHAQ. Correlation was assessed by examing the pearson's correlation and spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Results : The thermal difference between the patella of knee was correlated with VAS, LFI and WOMAC. Age, duration, BMI and sex were not correlated with the thermal differences of each region. Conclusions : DITI value was useful for evaluating the severity of OA. And we should find out the standardization of analysis of DITI value for diagnosis of OA.