• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the body alignment on the type and weight of the bag. Methods: The Subjects(n=62) measured posture alignment and make out the questionnaire. The questionnaire item was type of the bag, weight of the bag, side which carries the bag, and time to carry the bag. The posture alignment measured by global posture system(GPS). GPS Measurement was ASIA, acromion process, medial malleolus on Frontal plane, ear, shoulder joint, knee joint, lateral malleolus on sagittal plane, and trunk rotation on transverse plane. Results: The backpack and shoulder bag was no significant. The width of the strap bag was not significant. The side which carries on shoulder bag was statistical significance(p<.05). The time to carry the bag was statistical significance on change of posture(p<.05). A bag weight was no significant. Conclusion: This research provides the direction and carry the bag in time for the posture. This study showed that type and weight of bag does affect body alignment. This indicates that there is an interaction that plays a crucial roles in the type and weight of bag and the body alignment.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Globally, the elderly population is increasing rapidly, which means that the number of deformity correction operations for elderly spine deformity patient has increased. On the other hand, for aged patients with deformity correction operation, preoperative considerations to reduce the complications and predict a good clinical outcome are not completely understood. First, medical comorbidity needs to be evaluated preoperatively with the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics or the Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Medical comorbidities are associated with the postoperative complication rate. Managing these comorbidities preoperatively decreases the complications after a spine deformity correction operation. Second, bone densitometry need to be checked for osteoporosis. Many surgical techniques have been introduced to prevent the complications associated with posterior instrumentation for osteoporosis patients. The preoperative use of an osteogenesis inducing agent - teriparatide was also reported to reduce the complication rate. Third, total body sagittal alignment need to be considered. Many elderly spine deformity patients accompanied degenerative changes and deformities at their lower extremities. In addition, a compensation mechanism induces the deformed posture of the lower extremities. Recently, some authors introduced a parameter including total body sagittal alignment, which can predict the clinical outcome better than previous parameters limited to the spine or pelvis. As a result, total body sagittal alignment needs to be considered for elderly spine deformity patients after a deformity correction operation. In conclusion, for elderly spine deformity patients, medical comorbidities and osteoporosis need to be evaluated and managed preoperatively to reduce the complication rate. In addition, total body sagittal alignment needs to be considered, which is associated with better clinical outcomes than the previous parameters limited to the spine or pelvis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.84-88
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• 2016

Objective: Generally, it is known that there is a correlation between excessive calcaneus eversion and a patient with low back pain and it also affects pelvic alignment. However, there are not enough studies that show calcaneal eversion having an effect on the alignment of the trunk. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A 3-dimensional motion analysis system was used to assess the lower limbs, pelvic alignment, and trunk alignment with increased unilateral and bilateral calcaneal eversion in twenty-one subjects. All subjects were asked to maintain a static posture for seven seconds on a wedge three times per posture for measurement and analysis purposes. The wedge used in the process was a lateral wedge with a 10-degree tilt to the lateral direction. To unify all of the subjects' foot position, the front and inner side of the wedge were marked. The height of the tilted wedge's inner side and flat wedge were balanced equally in order to be able to maintain the lateral part of the foot to the same height when producing an increased calcaneal eversion. Results: Comparing the changes in trunk and pelvic alignment in accordance to calcaneal eversion for each posture, there was a significant different in the X and Y-axis for each posture, but not in the Z-axis (p<0.05). Thus, it can be confirmed that calcaneal eversion in the sagittal plane and frontal plane may have and effect on the pelvis and the trunk. Conclusions: Postures with increased bilateral and unilateral calcaneal eversion has an effect on pelvic alignment, but does not cause any changes in trunk alignment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.374-378
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• 2016

Objective : A modified surgical technique of posterior cervical foramintomy called posterior cervical inclinatory foraminotomy (PCIF) was introduced in previous preliminary article. PCIF allows better preservation of facet joint and capsule than conventional techniques. The authors conducted a study to investigate long-term outcomes of PCIF. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed demographic, radiologic, and clinical data from the patients who underwent PCIFs at our institution. Criteria included a minimum of 48 month follow-up and PCIFs for patients with radiculopathy from foraminal stenosis (C2-T1; single or multilevel) with persistent or recurrent root symptoms despite conservative treatment for more than 3 months. Patients who had undergone previous cervical operation were excluded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used for clinical follow-up, and radiologic follow-up was performed to compare the changes of cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle and disc-space height of treated segment. Results : The PCIFs were performed between April 2007 and March 2011 on 46 patients (32 males and 14 females) with a total of 73 levels affected. The average duration of follow-up was 74.4 months. Improvements in radiculopathic pain were seen in 39 patients (84.7%), and VAS score decreased from $6.82{\pm}1.9$ to $2.19{\pm}1.9$. Posterior neck pain also improved in 25 patients (71.4%) among 35 patients, and VAS score decreased from $4.97{\pm}2.0$ to $2.71{\pm}1.9$. The mean disc-space heights of treated segment were $5.41{\pm}1.03mm$ preoperatively and decreased to $5.17{\pm}1.12mm$ postoperatively. No statistically significant changes in cervical sagittal alignment, focal angle were seen during the follow-up period (Cox proportional hazards analysis and Student t-test, p>0.05). Conclusion : The PCIF is highly effective in treating patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, leading to long-lasting relief in pain. Long-term radiologic follow-up showed no significant spinal angular imbalance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.243-248
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• 2014

Purpose: The transverse abdominis and themultifidus muscle are located in the core. They surround one's trunk and help in body stabilization. Specifically, they control spine articulation to maintain posture and balance. Therefore, weakened deep muscle in the trunk may cause spinal malalignment. This study aims to compare the correlation between the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle and the spine alignment among college students in their 20s. Methods: This study measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle of 42 healthy college students in their 20s using ultrasonic waves. The thickness of the muscle was measured for the length of the cross-section except for fascia. The thickness of the left and right muscles was measured, and the mean value was calculated. As the thickness of the transverse abdominis can increase because of pressure during exhalation, it was measured at the last moment of exhalation. Spinal alignment was measured by the kyphosis angle, lordosis angle, pelvic tilt, trunk inclination, lateral deviation, trunk imbalance, and surface rotation using Formetric III, which is a three-dimensional imaging equipment. They were measured for three times, and the mean values were calculated. The general characteristics of the subjects were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between each factor were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The transverse abdominis showed asignificant correlation with trunk inclination (p<.05). The multifidus muscle showed a significant positive correlation with pelvic tilt and a negative correlation with surface rotation (p<.05). Conclusion: The thickness of transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle appears to influence spinal alignment. Specifically, the multifidus muscle, which plays an important role on the sagittal plane, influences surface rotation, thus making it an important muscle for scoliosis patients. Therefore, a strengthening training program for the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle is necessary according to specific purposes among adults with spinal malalignment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.96-101
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• 2013

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences of spinopelvic parameters between degenerative spondylolisthesis (DSPL) and isthmic spondylolisthesis (ISPL) patients. Methods : Thirty-four patients with DSPL and 19 patients with ISPL were included in this study. Spinopelvic parameters were evaluated on whole spine X-rays in a standing position. The following spinopelvic parameters were measured : pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope, pelvic tilt (PT), lumbar lordosis (LL), and sagittal vertical axis from C7 plumb line (SVA). The population of patients was compared with a control population of 30 normal and asymptomatic adults. Results : There were statistically significant differences in LL (p=0.004) and SVA (p=0.005) between the DSPL and ISPL group. The LL of DSPL ($42{\pm}13^{\circ}$) was significantly lower than that of the control group ($48{\pm}11^{\circ}$; p=0.029), but that of ISPL ($55{\pm}6^{\circ}$) was significantly greater than a control group (p=0.004). The SVA of DSPL ($55{\pm}49$ mm) was greater than that of a control group (<40 mm), but that of ISPL ($21{\pm}22$ mm) was within 40 mm as that of a control group. The PT of DSPL ($24{\pm}7^{\circ}$) and ISPL ($21{\pm}7^{\circ}$) was significantly greater than that of a control group ($11{\pm}6^{\circ}$; p=0.000). Conclusion : Both symptomatic DSPL and ISPL patients had a greater PI than that of the asymptomatic control group. In conclusion, DSPL populations are likely to have global sagittal imbalance (high SVA) compared with ISPL populations because of the difference of lumbar lordosis between two groups.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.48
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• pp.316.1-316.10
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• 2018

Background: Water pressure and muscle contraction may influence bone mineral density (BMD) in a positive way. However, divers experience weightlessness, which has a negative effect on BMD. The present study investigated BMD difference in normal controls and woman free-divers with vertebral fracture and with no fracture. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2014, traditional woman divers (known as Haenyeo in Korean), and non-diving women were investigated. The study population was divided into osteoporotic vertebral fracture and non-fracture groups. The BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured. The radiological parameters for global spinal sagittal balance were measured. Results: Thirty free-diving women and thirty-three non-diving women were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the divers was $72.1{\pm}4.7$ years and that of the controls was $72.7{\pm}4.0$ years (P = 0.61). There was no statistical difference in BMD between the divers and controls. In divers, cervical lordosis and pelvic tilt were significantly increased in the fracture subgroup compared to the non-fracture subgroup (P = 0.028 and P = 0.008, respectively). Sagittal vertical axis was statistically significantly correlated with cervical lordosis (Spearman's rho R = 0.41, P = 0.03), and pelvic tilt (Spearman's rho R = 0.46, P = 0.01) in divers. Conclusion: BMD did not differ significantly between divers and controls during their postmenopausal period. When osteoporotic spinal fractures develop, compensation mechanisms, such as increased cervical lordosis and pelvic tilt, was more evident in traditional woman divers. This may be due to the superior back muscle strength and spinal mobility of this group of women.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2011

Objective : The safety and efficacy of various fusion substitutes in pyogenic osteomyelitis has not been investigated. We evaluated and compared the cadaveric allograft and titanium cages used to reconstruct, maintain alignment and achieve fusion in the management of pyogenic spinal infection. Methods : There were 33 patients with pyogenic osteomyelitis underwent fusion in this study. Fifteen of the 33 patients were operated on by fusion with allografts (cadaveric patella bones) and 18 of those were operated with titanium mesh cages filled with autologous cancellous iliac bone. After the affected disc and vertebral body resection with pus drainage, cadaveric allograft or titanium cages were inserted into the resected space. Posterior transpedicular screw fixation and rod compression in resected space, where cadaveric allograft or titanium cages were inserted, was performed to prevent the malposition in all patients except in 1 case. Recurrent infection was identified by serial erythrocyte sedimentation rate and cross reactive protein follow-up. Osseous union and recurred infection available at a minimum of 2 years following operation was identified. The amount of kyphosis correction and the subsidence were measured radiographically. Results : Spinal fusion was achieved in 29 of 33 patients. In the cadaveric allograft group, 93.3% of patient (14 of 15) showed the osseous union while 83.3% of patient (15 of 18) in the titanium cage group showed union. Subsidence was noted in 12 of the patients. Twelve patients (36.3%) showed unsettling amounts of subsidence postoperatively whereas 46.6% of patients in the cadaveric allograft group and 37.7% of patients in the titanium cage group showed similar subsidence, respectively. There were statistical difference in the fusion rate (p=0.397) and subsidence rate (p=0.276) between the two groups. There was significant statistical difference in the postoperative improvement of segmental kyphosis between the two groups (p=0.022), that is the improvement in sagittal alignment was greater in the titanium cage group than in the cadaveric allograft group. There was no case of recurred infection. Conclusion : The cadaveric allograft and titanium cages are effective and safe in restoring and maintaining sagittal plane alignment without increased incidence in infection recurrence in pyogenic osteomyelitis. The postoperative improvement of segmental kyphosis was better in the cage group.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.231-235
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• 2015

Objective : Degenerative changes in the cervical spine are commonly accompanied by cervical kyphosis which can cause neck pain. This study examined the relationship between neck pain and cervical alignment. Methods : A total of 323 female nursing staff from our hospital were enrolled. Sagittal radiographs of the cervical spine, Body Mass Index (BMI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) measures of neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36 scores) were obtained and reviewed retrospectively. Global lordosis (GL) of the cervical spine was measured on radiograph images. Correlations between GL and questionnaire scores were investigated using the following three methods : 1) correlation between GL and questionnaire scores among the entire sample; 2) subgroup analysis of patients with "kyphosis (KYP) : GL scores<0" vs. those with "lordosis (LOR) : GL scores>0" on questionnaire measures; and 3) subgroup analysis of patients with pain vs. those without pain, on GL and questionnaire measures. Results : There was no significant correlation between GL and any questionnaire measure. There was a significant difference between the mean GLs of the KYP and LOR groups, but there were no group differences in BMI, age or any questionnaire measures. There was no difference between the pain (n=92) and pain-free (n=231) groups in age, BMI or GL, but there were differences in neck, and arm pain, and physical function and NDI scores. Conclusions : Our data suggest that kyphotic deformity was not associated with neck pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.19-26
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of correction on posture parameters between a horse riding simulator exercise and a conventional exercise occurring in an open linear chain linking the head to the pelvis in the sagittal plane of young adults with a forward head posture. METHODS: In this study, 30 subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 15 subjects each, were assigned to the horse riding simulator exercise or the neck exercise group and they performed exercise 30 minutes per each round two times a week for six weeks. To determine the subjects' forward head posture, the three angles and three distances were measured. RESULTS: The forward head angle and head distance results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in both group. The horizontal distance between acromion and tragus results showed a significant change between pre and post intervention in neck exercise group (CG), but no significant change in horse riding simulator exercise group (EG). The averages of each measured values of EG and CG before and after were compared, but there are no significant different between groups. CONCLUSION: Although the effects of the horse riding exercise were lower than those elicited by the neck exercise, the results demonstrated that the horse riding simulator exercise improved posture alignment for subjects with forward head posture. Therefore, the horse riding simulator exercise can constitute an appropriate alternative exercise for subjects with forward head posture.