• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.702-707
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• 2011

Patients with lumbar disc herniation are faced with lowered quality of life. For this reason, we investigated the effects of Oriental Intensive Therapy (OIT) including acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, manual therapy and herbal medicine on patients with lumbar disc herniation. Ten patients, diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation by MRI in hospital, were treated with OIT for 12 weeks. Symptoms of the patients were assessed using Verbal Numerical Rating Scale (VNRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). All patients were investigated every a week. In our results, intensity of pain was reduced after 4 weeks treatment significantly by VNRS, Quality of life has also improved after 4 weeks treatment by ODI. In conclusion, this study suggests that OIT may be effective to treat patients with lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.107-115
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study is to investigate the state of cervical disc herniation according to the degree of cervical lordosis and age. Methods : 67 records of inpatients who were diagnosed with herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) of the cervical spine were analyzed. Cobb's method, Jochumsen method and the Ishihara index were used to measure the degree of cervical lordosis. The state of the cervical disc was identified using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of the cervical spine. Then correlations among cervical lordosis, age and cervical disc herniation were analyzed. Results : Disc bulging was associated with hypolordosis and disc protrusion was associated with hyperlordosis and age. Disc extrusion was not associated with either cervical lordosis or age. The number of disc herniations in the cervical spine was correlated with age significantly, but not with cervical lordosis. Conclusions : Cervical disc herniation had a tendency to correlate with age and cervical lordosis, although this is not definite. Future studies that analyze more radiographic images of patients with HIVD of the cervical spine might be necessary to identify the influence of cervical lordosis on cervical disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.144-146
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• 2005

Herein, a case of missed upper lumbar disc herniation, diagnosed by thorough neurological examination, digital infrared thermographic imaging[DITI], and repeated magnetic resonance[MR] image study, is reported. A 36-year-old female presented with intractable leg pain on left anterior thigh. Although she underwent lumbar MR image at other hospital, she was misdiagnosed as acute sprain. Neurological examination suggested the possibility of upper lumbar disc herniation, which was confirmed by DITI, MRI, and selective root block. After operation, her leg pain was significantly improved. It should be considered that upper lumbar disc herniation might be misdiagnosed as an acute sprain, as in our case. A high index of suspicion based on thorough neurological examination is most important in such cases. Then, multi-access such as DITI, MR image, and selective block, base on thorough neurological examination, are warranted.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Objectives This study was conducted to find out the correlation between lumbar malposition and lumbar disc herniation. Methods Among the patients who visited Gwangju Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from January 2019 to January 2021, taking 92 patients under age 60 who had the records of X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images as the research subjects, Cobb's angle was measured in anterior-posterior (AP) view and lateral (LAT) view, the number of displacements was scored by listing categories defined by The Korean Society of Chuna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves. The degree of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation was expressed as a percentage according to the method of Kato, etc., and the correlation between each factor was analyzed. Results AP curvature and MRI herniation index showed significant positive correlation in L4-L5 level but there was no significant difference in L5-S1 level. LAT curvature and MRI herniation index had no correlation in L4-L5 level, but there was a significant negative correlation in L5-S1 level. Malposition score and MRI herniation index had a significant positive correlation in L5-S1 level, whereas there was no correlation in L4-L5. Conclusions As a result of the study, AP curvature and MRI herniation index showed a significant positive tendency in L4-L5 lumbar spine, and LAT curvature and MRI herniation index showed a significant negative tendency in L5-S1 lumbar spine. Malposition score and MRI herniation index were found to have a significant positive tendency in L5-S1 lumbar spine.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.145-149
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• 2013

Objective : We analyzed the clinical and radiologic features of posterior apophyseal ring separation (PARS) with lumbar disc herniation and suggest the proper management options according to the PARS characteristics. Methods : We reviewed case series of patients with PARS who underwent surgery of lumbar disc herniation. Preoperative symptoms, neurologic status, Body Mass Index, preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean-Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI) scores, operation types were obtained. PARS size, locations, the degree of resection were assessed. Results : PARS was diagnosed in 109 (7.5%) patients among 1448 patients given surgical treatment for single level lumbar disc herniation. There were 55 (50.5%) small PARS and 54 (49.5%) large PARS. Among the large PARS group, 15 (27.8%) had lower endplate PARS of upper vertebra at the level of disc herniation. Thirty-nine (72.2%) were upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra. Among the group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra, unresected PARS was diagnosed in 12 (30.8%) cases and resected PARS was diagnosed in 27 (69.2%) cases. VAS and K-ODI scores changes were $3.6{\pm}2.9$ and $5.4{\pm}6.4$ in the unresected PARS group, $5.8{\pm}2.1$ and $11.3{\pm}7.1$ in the resected PARS group. The group with upper endplate PARS of lower vertebra showed significant difference of VAS (p=0.01) and K-ODI (p=0.013) score changes between unresected and resected PARS groups. Conclusion : The large PARS of upper endplate in lower vertebra should be removed during the surgery of lumbar disc herniation. High level or bilateral side of PARS should be widely decompressed and arthrodesis procedures are necessary if there is a possibility of secondary instability.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lumbar disc herniation surgery for low back pain on the erectile functioning. Methods : Thirty-eight patients, with age ranging from 22 to 56 years, who had presented with pain due to herniated lumbar discs were included in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Short Form questionnaire was used to evaluate the erectile functioning. Patient visits on the 1st week,1st month and 3rd month postoperatively were analyzed. Pain scores were also noted together with side effects and the complications of the surgery. Results : Of the 38 patients, 18 patients had reported erectile dysfunction; 10 patients mild and 8 patients moderate erectile dysfunction. Twenty patients did not report erectile problems. The herniation levels mostly were L5-S1 in 12 (31.6%). Overall, erectile dysfunction rates have improved in 31.7% of those previously with erectile dysfunction in a 3 month period after the surgery. Best results were obtained in those patients with mild erectile dysfunction preoperatively. Conclusion : Mild erectile dysfunction together with radiculopathy tends to improve after lumbosacral disc surgery. Moderate and severe erectile dysfunction may be related to a more severe nerve injury or to vascular and/or psychiatric factors. An evaluation of erectile functioning should routinely be performed in patients with lumbosacral disc disease both for data accumulation and for medico legal causes since the documentation of the correlation between erectile dysfunction and lumbosacral disc disease is still lacking.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Background: Traction has often been utilized to treat patients with a herniated lumbar disc. Currently, the most advanced type of traction therapy is non-surgical spinal decompression. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of decompression therapy in patients with a herniated lumbar disc based on clinical findings and symptoms. Methods: Sixty patients with herniated lumbar discs were included in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, a decompression group (n = 30) and a traction group (n = 30). To evaluate the impact of decompression and traction therapy on the herniated disc, the clinical symptoms for each group were evaluated prior to and after treatment using the visual analogue scale (VAS), straight leg raising (SLR), the herniation index, and the disc height. Results: The VAS score was significantly lower in the decompression group ($2.0{\pm}0.2$) than the traction group ($3.9{\pm}0.2$) following treatment. In addition, the SLR angle was significantly higher in the decompression group ($79{\pm}1.5$) than the traction group ($63.3{\pm}1.9$). The herniation index was significantly lower in the decompression group ($217.6{\pm}19.1$) than the traction group ($259.5{\pm}16.4$). Finally, the disc height was not significant differences between pre-treatment and follow-up in two groups. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that decompression therapy for the treatment of patients suffering from a herniated lumbar disc has an effect on the pain, SLR, and herniation indices, not disc heights.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2020

Purpose: Some patients who have undergone surgery due to lumbar disc herniation still complain of leg pain and other abnormal sensations. Therefore, the study examined the effects of the neurodynamics on pain and other abnormal nerve sensations in post-operated patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: The participants of this study comprised 20 adults (10 males and 10 females) who were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. The subjects were classified into two groups of 10 patients each in the lower extremity neurodynamics (LEN) and lumbar stabilization exercise (LSE) groups. Each intervention was applied twice a day for one week and was composed of two different exercise patterns; one was applied by a therapist, and the other was performed by the patients themselves. The data were analyzed using assessment methods of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), Toronto clinical neuropathy scoring system (TCNSS), Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) test, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale. Results: Significant differences in TCNSS, DITI, ODI scale were observed between the LEN and LSE group (p<0.01). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the SSR test between pre and post-treatment (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that neurodynamics treatment is effective in pain reduction and abnormal sensations, such as leg muscle cramps, in post-operated patients with lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2009

Objectives : To analyze the therapeutic outcomes of back pain modalities in patients with disc herniation according to the change of Magnetic Resonanse Imaging(MRI) whom were treated with herbal medicine, chuna, acupuncture, bee-venom acupuncture. Methods : Clinical outcomes of 35 patients diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation by MRI examination, treated conservatively, were analyzed according to MRI follow-up change. Patients underwent MRI examaintion at baseline and after 24th week of treatment. Patients are divided into three groups ; improved, unchanged, worsened. 35 patients with lumbar disc herniation were treated with chuna therapy, acupuncture, bee-venom acupuncture once a week and took herbal medicine after a meal two times daily. The patients' clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline, 12th week, 24th week by Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry disability index(ODI). Results : 1. MRI follow-up exams on regression of disc herniation resulted on 42.86% of cases by conservative treatment. 2. VAS(low back pain and sciatica) and ODI of disability of daily activities showed significant decrease in "improved" and "unchanged" groups compared to "worsened" group(P<0.05). 3. VAS(low back pain and sciatica) and ODI change after treatment did not show any relationship with MRI follow-up change(P<0.05). Conclusions : This study suggests that "improved" and "unchanged" groups compared to "worsened" group on MRI follow-up in patients with lumbar disc herniation were more effective when treated with herbal medicine, chuna therapy, acupuncture, bee-venom acupuncture. MRI follow-up change does not affect clinical changes in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical effectiveness of Korean medical combination treatment for cervical disc herniation. Methods : This is an observational study. 102 patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation by MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) were investigated from January, 2015 through to December, 2015 at Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. They were sorted according to the distribution of sex, age, causing factor, the period of disease, admission day and pain area. All patients were treated with acupuncture, Chuna treatment, and herbal therapy and physical therapy during the admission period. After treatment, NRS (Numeric Rating Scale), NDI (Neck Disability Index) and EQ-5D were assessed to evaluate the treatment efficacy. Results : There were more females than Males with a ratio of 1 : 1.37, the age of fifty was the most with 35.29 %, reason unknown was the most with 72.55 % and the subacute stage was the most with 38.24 %. According to disc herniation types, patients with protruded disc types were the most with 66.67 % and a lesion of C5/6 was the most with 41.18 %. For patients diagnosed with cervical disc herniation, neck and shoulder pain NRS decreased from $6.43{\pm}1.77$ to $3.96{\pm}1.96$(p<0.001) and radiating pain NRS decreased from $5.64{\pm}1.96$ to $3.57{\pm}1.88$ (p<0.001). NDI decreased from $41.72{\pm}14.04$ to $30.84{\pm}15.34$(p<0.001), and the EQ-5D index increased from $0.68{\pm}0.17$ to $0.79{\pm}0.14$(p<0.001) after treating cervical disc patients. Conclusion : Korean medical combination treatment might be effective in decreasing pain and raising the life quality of patients with cervical disc herniation.