• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2022

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine treatment on a patient who was diagnosed on lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) with localized bone marrow edema. The patient was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopucture, cupping and herbal medicine. We evaluated patient's progress using range of motion (ROM), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), numerical rating scale (NRS), patient global impression of change, self-walkable distance. NRS of back pain decreased from 7 to 5, at the same time NRS of lower limb decreased from 4 to 3. EQ-5D score increased from 0.24 to 0.646. ODI score improved 80 to 62. Self-walkable distance and lumbar spine ROM also increased. As a result, clinical improvements were found in a patient. In conclusion, this study shows that Korean medicine treatment can be considered as effective conservative care for LSTV with localized bone marrow edema.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2022

Objectives The purpose of this study was to report a case of a woman diagnosed with post hysterectomy syndrome treated with combined Korean medical treatment. Methods A combination of treatment including chuna manual therapy, pharmacopuncture at the lumbar facet joints, acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine was provided for 1 month. Progress was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQol-5Dimension, and Hot Flush Score before and after treatment. Results After treatment, the symptoms were reduced and the quality of life was enhanced, although there was no improvement in the abnormal sensation in the anterior part of the thigh. No adverse events were observed. Conclusions The findings indicate that a combination of Korean medical treatment can be a safe and effective alternative treatment in reducing LBP and hot flushes after hysterectomy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.235-242
• /
• 2023

The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment in baastrup's disease. We treated the patient for 34 days using Korean medicine treatment such as acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, Chuna manual therapy and help motion style acupuncture treatment. Numerical rating scale (NRS), EuroQol five dimension (EQ-5D) index, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and lumbar range of motion (ROM) were used as evaluation tools for the state. NRS decrease from 5 to 3, and EQ-5D index, ODI, L-spine ROM were improved by the treatment. In conclusion, this case study shows that Korean medicine treatment can be effective for baastrup's disease.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.113-119
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study was to evaluate effect and efficiency of S1 selective nerve root block using ultrasonography-guided compared with fluoroscopy-guided for lumbar disc herniation or spinal stenosis patients. Materials and Methods: Between February 2012 and December 2013, 38 patients who were with lower leg radiating pain for more than 1months and underwent S1 selective spinal nerve root block in our institution, were reviewed. They divided into two groups: Group A included 18 patients with ultrasonography-guided and Group B included 20 patients with fluoroscopy-guided. Treatment effectiveness was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Korea Modified Oswestry Disability Index (K-MODI). They were evaluated its preoperatively, postoperatively and 1 month later. We were recorded whole procedure time. Results: VAS was improved from 7.4 to 4.7 at 1 month in group A and from 7.39 to 4.36 at 1month in group B. K-MODI was improved from 72.8 to 43.3 at 1month in group A and from 73.8 to 44.1 at 1month in group B. Whole procedure time were $477.53{\pm}115.02s$, $492.47{\pm}144.38s$ in group A, group B, respectively. But there was no significant difference in VAS and K-MODI between two groups. Conclusion: Ultrasonography-guided sacral nerve root block is effective and accurate method in sacral radiating pain.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2014

Purpose: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided medial branch block (MBB) for the herniated lumbar disc patients who did not relieve their symptoms after percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN). Materials and Methods: From August 2011 to February 2013, 559 patients with herniated lumbar disc have undergone PEN. Among them, ultrasound-guided MBBs were performed for the patients who had sustained low back pain and refered pain to lower extremities. Eighty eight patients were followed at 1 month and 39 patients could be followed at 6 month. All procedures have been performed by the one operator, and 23 G, 10 cm needle was placed and 0.5% lidocaine was injected under ultrasound guide. To target medial branches from L1 to L5, the groove at the root of transverse process and the base of superior articular process has been identified on transverse scan. Patients were evaluated by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at each follow-up. Significant pain relief was described as a 50% or more reduction in VAS and significant improvement in function was described as at least a 40% reduction in ODI. Results: VAS showed that preprocedure pain ($7.35{\pm}1.68$; $mean{\pm}SD$) significantly decreased 1 month after block ($3.36{\pm}2.98$) and 6 month ($3.05{\pm}2.27$) (p<0.05). ODI also showed that preprocedure score ($32.82{\pm}8.77$) significantly decreased at 1 month ($15.14{\pm}14.01$) and 6 month ($12.97{\pm}8.82$) (p<0.05). Significant pain relief was observed in 64.49% at 1 month and 64.10% at 6 month. Significant functional improvement in 59.81% at 1 month and 61.54% at 6 month. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided medial branch block may sufficiently treat the facet problems secondary from disc disease.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.55 no.6
• /
• pp.520-526
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The need for revision fusion surgery after spinal fusion has increased. A revision rod that connects to the previous rod was newly developed for revision surgery. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological results after spinal fusion revision surgery using revision rods. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one patients who underwent revision fusion surgery after spinal fusion in two university hospitals with minimum 1 year follow-up were reviewed. This study assessed 16 cases of adjacent-segment disease, four cases of thoracolumbar fracture, and one case of ossification of ligament flavum. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and numerical rating scale (NRS) were evaluated as clinical outcomes, and the union rate, lordosis or kyphosis of the revision level, lumbar lordosis, T5-12 kyphosis, and proximal junctional kyphosis angle were evaluated as the radiological outcomes. Results: The average ODI was 54.6±12.5 before surgery and improved to 29.8±16.5 at the final follow-up. The NRS for back pain and leg pain was 5.0±1.7 and 6.4±2.0 before surgery, which changed to 2.9±1.6 and 2.9±2.2 at the final follow-up. Lumbar lordosis was 18.1°±11.9° before surgery and 21.1°±10.3° at the final follow-up. Proximal junctional kyphosis was 10.8°±10.1° before surgery, and 9.2°±10.5° at the final follow-up. These angles were not changed significantly after surgery. Bony union was successful in all cases except for one case who underwent posterolateral fusion. Conclusion: Revision surgery using a newly developed revision rod on the thoracolumbar spine achieved good clinical outcomes with successful bony union. No problems with the newly developed revision rod were encountered.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
• /
• v.55 no.5
• /
• pp.411-417
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This paper reports the short-term clinical and radiological results of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression (UBE) to prove its efficacy. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients who received unilateral biportal endoscopic far-lateral decompression (UBEFLD) were analyzed statistically using the visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Macnab criteria and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) clinically. Radiologically, their intervertebral angle (IVA), percentage slip, disc height index (DHI) and foraminal height index (FHI) were analyzed pre- and postoperatively. Results: The VAS scores were 6.20 preoperatively, which improved to 2.05, 1.75 and 1.45 at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The modified macnab criteria in both the good or excellent category was 70.0%, 80.0% and 85.0% at postoperative one month, three months and one year, respectively (p=0.034). The ODI improved from 59.8% preoperatively to 35.8%, 33.2%, and 17.1% at postoperative one month, three months, and one year, respectively (p<0.001). The IVA was increased 0.40±0.88 after a surgery (p=0.057). Percentage slip was increased 0.19% after surgery (p=0.134). The DHI changed from 0.49 preoperatively to 0.62 postoperatively (p=0.359), and the FHI changed from 0.71 preoperatively to 0.79 postoperatively (p<0.001). Conclusion: UBEFLD displayed satisfactory results. Such a result highlights the potential of UBEFLD as an excellent alternative to spinal fusion or microscopic surgery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.63 no.5
• /
• pp.623-630
• /
• 2020

Objective : A primary degenerative sagittal imbalance has been considered because of unique lifestyles such as the prolonged crouched posture during agricultural work and performing activities of daily living on the floor. Previous papers have reported that sagittal imbalance disease is often seen distinctly in the farming districts of "oriental" countries such as Korea and Japan. However, this finding was only evaluated with the use of X-ray, and other factors such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle volume, compression fracture, and laboratory results were not considered. Thus, using these, we evaluate the agricultural work-associated factors for Korean elderly spinal sagittal imbalance. Methods : We recruited 103 Korean participants who had a sagittal vertical axis (SVA) of >5 cm in this Korean Elderly Sagittal Imbalance Cohort Study. The following were evaluated : radiological parameters, MRI, compression fracture, vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, C-terminal telopeptide, osteocalcin, bone mineral density and muscle fatty change, muscle volume, and health-related quality of life from patients' survey. Moreover, in this survey, the farmers' annual working hours were investigated. Subsequently, we analyzed the associated factors for spinal sagittal imbalance depending on occupation. Results : A total of 46 participants were farmers, and the others were housewives, sellers, and office workers. The farmer group had more SVA (141 vs. 99 mm, p=0.001) and pelvic tilt (31° vs. 24°, p=0.004) and lesser lumbar lordosis (20° vs. 30°, p=0.009) and thoracic kyphosis (24° vs. 33°, p=0.03) than non-farmer group. A significantly positive correlation was noted between the working hour and SVA in the farmer group (p=0.014). The visual analogue scale score for back pain (8.26 vs. 6.96, p=0.008) and Oswestry Disability Index (23.5 vs. 19.1, p=0.003) in the farmer group were higher than that in the non-farmer group, but the Short Form-36 score was not significantly different between the two groups. The Mini-Mental State Exam score was significantly lower in the farmer group than in the non-farmer group (24.85 vs. 26.98, p=0.002). Conclusion : The farmer group had more sagittal imbalance and back pain in proportion to the working hours even though the muscle and bone factors and general laboratory condition were not significantly different between the two groups. These results supported that the long hours spent in the crouched posture while performing agricultural work were a risk factor for severe sagittal imbalance.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.139-149
• /
• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristic of low back pain(LBP) and lumbosacral-pelvic alignments, and the relationship between them, depending on the presence and the duration of LBP. Methods : Ninety six patients were classified into the no LBP group(n=31), the acute LBP group(n=33) and the chronic LBP group(n=32), based on the presence and duration of LBP. In each group, lumbosacral-pelvic indicators were measured. The data were analysed by one way analysis of variance(ANOVA) and pearson correlation. Results : 1. The chronic LBP group showed the lower mean value in Ferguson angle, Lumbar lordosis angle, Pelvic Incidence and difference between left and right iliac height, being compared to acute LBP group. 2. There was not significant correlation between lumbosacral-pelvic alignments and LBP in every group. 3. A positive correlation was found among period of LBP and visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry disability index(ODI). Conclusions : For presence and duration of LBP, there were different characteristic values in descriptive statistics. And period of LBP is the most important factor for the degree of LBP. These results show that the lumbosacral-pelvic alignments and LBP have distinctive relationships depending on the duration of LBP.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.48 no.6
• /
• pp.496-500
• /
• 2010

Objective : Surgical treatment of lumbosacral foraminal stenosis requires an understanding of the anatomy of the lumbosacral area in individual patients. Unilateral facetectomy has been used to completely decompress entrapment of the L5 nerve root, followed in some patients by posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with stand-alone cages Methods : We assessed 34 patients with lumbosacral foraminal stenosis who were treated with unilateral facetectomy and PLIF using stand-alone cages in our center from January 2004 to September 2007. All the patients underwent follow-up X-rays, including a dynamic view, at 3, 6, 12, 24 months, and computed tomography (CT) at 24 months postoperatively. Clinical outcomes were analyzed with the mean numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Odom's criteria. Radiological outcomes were assessed with change of disc height, defined as the average of anterior, middle, and posterior height in plain X-rays. In addition, lumbosacral fusion was also assessed with dynamic X-ray and CT. Results : Mean NRS score, which was 9.29 prior to surgery, was 1.5 at 18 months after surgery. The decrease in NRS was statistically significant. Excellent and good groups with regard to Odom's criteria were 31 cases (91%) and three cases (9%) were fair. Pre-operative mean ODI of 28.4 decreased to 14.2 at post-operative 24 months. In 30 patients, a bone bridge on CT scan was identified. The change in disc height was 8.11 mm, 10.02 mm and 9.63 mm preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and at 24 months after surgery, respectively. Conclusion : In the treatment of lumbosacral foraminal stenosis, unilateral facetectomy and interbody fusion using expandable stand-alone cages may be considered as one treatment option to maintain post-operative alignment and to obtain satisfactory clinical outcomes.