• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.35-43
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the correlation between joint sounds and radiographic bone change patterns along with clinical symptoms of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) patients. Methods: The patients for this study were over 19 years of age, diagnosed tentatively with TMJ OA. The patients were examined with temporomandibular disorders analysis test and all three radiographs, including panoramic radiography, transcranial radiography, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Information of the patients' age, pain status, joint sound and mouth opening range were collected. And bone change pattern was examined by reviewing panoramic radiography, transcranial radiography and CBCT images. Results: The patients with crepitus had a higher average active mouth opening (AMO) range than patients without crepitus, and the group with bilateral crepitus had a higher average AMO range than the group with unilateral crepitus (p<0.001). And the patient with pain during mastication was increased in the group with clicking than the group without clicking, and the group with bilateral clicking showed a statistically significant increase in the patient with pain during mastication than the group with unilateral clicking (p<0.05). The analytical results of the relevance of crepitus showed a high correlation with bone change observed from each of the three radiographs. And the agreement in bone change findings from 3 groups of paired radiographs showed high agreement (p<0.001). Meanwhile, 77.2% of CBCT findings showed bone change of condyle without crepitus (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study presented significant results in the evaluation of the correlation with crepitus and bone change of TMJ OA patients from panoramic radiography or transcranial projection. However, the accurate assessment is required through CBCT for the patient with complains of persistent pain, limitation of mouth opening, and occlusal change even if the crepitus does not exist.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2006

The management of refractory pain and limitation of mouth opening in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is both challenging and controversial. Arthrocentesis is a simple technique and it can be used instead of more invasive surgical procedures for patients who failed to conventional conservative treatments. The patients in this case report had complained persistent severe pain and restricted mandibular movement of TMJ, although they had been treated with conservative therapy, e.g., stabilization splint therapy, behavioral therapy, physical therapy, pharmacological therapy. Therefore we employed arthrocentesis for these patients, and they showed significant reduction of pain and improvement of mandibular movement after repetitive arthrocentesis. We recommend arthrocentesis as an effective, minimally invasive technique for patients with continuing severe pain and restricted mobility in the TMJ that is unresponsive to conservative management.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.135-138
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• 2014

A 34-year-old female was suffered from pain and numbness of right arm for 2 months after undergoing a thoracoscopic procedure for a posterior mediastinal mass that was diagnosed as neurilemmoma. The patient was diagnosed as a complex regional pain syndrome type 2 with brachial plexopathy developed during thoracoscopic excision of posterior mediastinal mass, and stellate ganglion block (SGB) with 0.2% ropivacaine 10 mL was performed every 3-4 days. The patient revealed slightly prolonged blepharoptosis as Horner syndrome accompanied after every SGB and recovered. However, following the 23rd SGB, the blepharoptosis persisted and patient was recovered spontaneously from blepharoptosis after about 12 months. The possibility that the persistent blepharoptosis might be caused by brachial plexopathy related to patient's pathology or surgical manipulation and/or repeated SGB. If Horner syndrome occurs, its etiology should be assessed, and it would be necessary to explain and to assure the patient the possibility of recovery spontaneously from the complication within a year, without any sequelae.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2022

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating disorders throughout the world, causing persistent sensory-motor dysfunction, with no effective treatment. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses play key roles in the secondary phase of SCI. Naringenin (NAR) is a natural flavonoid with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. This study aims at evaluating the effects of intrathecal NAR administration on sensory-motor disability after SCI. Methods: Animals underwent a severe compression injury using an aneurysm clip. About 30 minutes after surgery, NAR was injected intrathecally at the doses of 5, 10, and 15 mM in 20 µL volumes. For the assessment of neuropathic pain and locomotor function, acetone drop, hot plate, inclined plane, and Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan tests were carried out weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Effects of NAR on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity was appraised by gelatin zymography. Also, histopathological analyses and serum levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase and nitrite were measured in different groups. Results: NAR reduced neuropathic pain, improved locomotor function, and also attenuated SCI-induced weight loss weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Zymography analysis showed that NAR suppressed MMP-9 activity, whereas it increased that of MMP-2, indicating its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Also, intrathecal NAR modified oxidative stress related markers GSH, catalase, and nitrite levels. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of NAR was corroborated through increased survival of sensory and motor neurons after SCI. Conclusions: These results suggest intrathecal NAR as a promising candidate for medical therapeutics for SCI-induced sensory and motor dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.152-156
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• 1999

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a rare syndrome which causes postural headache associated with low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, without preceding events such as lumbar puncture, back trauma, operative procedure or illness. The headche is usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, neck stiffness, vertigo, photophobia and in rare cases diplopia, transient visual obscuration. Brain MRI may show subdural effusion, downward displacement of brain and diffuse and continuous meningeal enhancement when enhanced by gadolinium. Low opening pressure was shown through lumbar puncture. The value of protein and cell count of CSF may be slightly elevated. This syndrome usually resolves itself spontaneously or with strict bed rest. When the headache is persistent or incapacitating, more aggressive treatment may be necessary. We treated two cases of SIH in which epidural blood patch produced immediate and complete relief of the symptoms.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.227-234
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• 2019

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as 'tennis elbow', is a degenerative rather than inflammatory tendinopathy, causing chronic recalcitrant pain in elbow joints. Although most patients with lateral epicondylitis resolve spontaneously or with standard conservative management, few refractory lateral epicondylitis are candidates for alternative non-operative and operative modalities. Other than standard conservative treatments including rest, analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, orthosis and physical therapies, nonoperative treatments encompass interventional therapies include different types of injections, such as corticosteroid, lidocaine, autologous blood, platelet-rich plasma, and botulinum toxin, which are available for both short-term and long-term outcomes in pain resolution and functional improvement. In addition, newly emerging biologic enhancement products such as bone marrow aspirate concentrate and autologous tenocyte injectates are also under clinical use and investigations. Despite all non-operative therapeutic trials, persistent debilitating pain in patients with lateral epicondylitis for more than 6 months are candidates for surgical treatment, which include open, percutaneous, and arthroscopic approaches. This review addresses the current updates on emerging non-operative injection therapies as well as arthroscopic intervention in lateral epicondylitis.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2021

Adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joint is a common disease characterized by pain at the insertional area of the deltoid muscle and decreased range of motion. The pathophysiological process involves fibrous inflammation of the capsule and intraarticular adhesion of synovial folds leading to capsular thickening and contracture. Regarding the multidirectional limitation of motion, a limitation in external rotation is especially prominent, which is related to not only global fibrosis but also to a localized tightness of the anterior capsule. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging studies can be applied to rule out other structural lesions in the diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis. Hydraulic distension of the shoulder joint capsule provides pain relief and an immediate improvement in range of motion by directly expanding the capsule along with the infusion of steroids. However, the optimal technique for hydraulic distension is still a matter of controversy, with regards to the infusion volume and rupture of the capsule. By monitoring the real-time pressure-volume profile during hydraulic distension, the largest possible fluid volume can be infused without rupturing the capsule. The improvement in clinical outcomes is shown to be greater in capsule-preserved hydraulic distension than in capsule-ruptured distension. Moreover, repeated distension is possible, which provides additional clinical improvement. Capsule-preserved hydraulic distension with maximal volume is suggested to be an efficacious treatment option for persistent adhesive capsulitis.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.103-106
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• 2022

Peroneal tendon disorders are one of many causes of chronic lateral ankle pain. They are related to chronic conditions and anatomical factors and can cause persistent pain and functional impairment if neglected. Peroneal tendon tears are frequently misdiagnosed due to the absence of clear symptoms. For subacute or chronic peroneal tendon ruptures, tendons often became irreparable, and hence various surgical options have been introduced to address this issue. Current surgical treatment options include debridement and tubularization, tenodesis, tendon transfer, and reconstruction with a graft. There have been a few reports on the use of reconstruction techniques with an allograft. In this report, we present a rare case of a peroneal tendon reconstruction technique using an allograft in a young male with simultaneous irreparable peroneus longus and a complete rupture of the brevis tendon. The management plan, prognostic outlook, and a subsequent review of the relevant literature are also presented.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2022

The risk of stress fractures is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which can aggravate bone loss. We report the case of a patient who was on long-term medication for RA presenting with lower extremity pain on the left and swelling without trauma. Magnetic resonance imaging and plain radiographs at the previous hospital showed no signs of fracture, but radiographs performed later, revealed a stress fracture of the left distal tibia. The stress fracture may have occurred due to multiple reasons such as long-term use of methotrexate and glucocorticoids, active RA, postmenopausal state, and immobility. Suspicion of a stress fracture should not be ruled out especially in RA patients with persistent pain, even if the radiographical findings are normal. Additional imaging and follow-ups are essential. The patient's pain was relieved with Korean medicine treatments, which suggests their potential application for stress fractures in RA patients.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.103-107
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• 2023

Quinolone antibiotics are frequently prescribed for suspected respiratory or urinary tract infections because of their effectiveness and generally perceived safety profile. On the other hand, some studies have raised concerns regarding the potential association between quinolone use and Achilles tendinopathy or tendon rupture. There is a lack of reports on the link between quinolone use and multiple tendon and tendon attachment site pain in the foot and ankle joints; hence, this study examined this issue further. This paper presents a case report of a patient with persistent Achilles tendinopathy and multiple tendon and tendon attachment site pain in the foot who did not respond adequately to conservative treatments. In particular, the discontinuation of quinolone use resulted in favorable clinical outcomes. This report offers valuable insights into the potential risks associated with quinolone antibiotics and highlights the importance of vigilance when managing patients with tendon-related complaints. A comprehensive review of the relevant literature is also presented to contextualize these findings.