• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.87-96
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• 2023

This study aims to evaluate the effect of various Korean medicine treatment techniques on knee pain with medial plica syndrome. We treated three knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome using acupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture and cupping during their hospitalization. EuroQol-five dimensions (EQ-5D), Western Ontario and Mcmaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), numerical rating scale (NRS) and the changes of symptoms were used for patient assessment. There were notable decreases in WOMAC and NRS and a notable increase in EQ-5D of case 1 and 3. There was also an improvement in the symptoms experienced by the patients. Our study is the first case report to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of Korean medicine treatment compared to those of the pre-existing surgical and conservative treatments for knee pain patients with medial plica syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.165-173
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• 2021

Objectives The objective of this study is to propose postoperative rehabilitation for spondylolisthesis after posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in Korean medicine and to report its effectiveness. Methods There were two patients who were received Korean medicine with acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping and exercise treatment after PLIF. Patients were evaluated numeric rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), pain free walking distance (PFWD), Korean modified index (K-MBI), EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) index. Results Case 1 was improved NRS from 7 to 3, Case 2 was improved NRS from 7 to 2. Also, ODI, PFWD, K-MBI, EQ-5D score were improved in both cases. Conclusions This study suggests that Korean medicine rehabilitation could be effective for spondylolisthesis after PLIF.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.65-75
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• 2022

Objectives This study was conducted to analyze the therapeutic effect of Chuna therapy for lateral epicondylitis. Methods Key words such as lateral epicondylitis and Chuna were searched in 10 databases (National Digital Science Library [NDSL], Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System [OASIS], Research Information Sharing Service [RISS], Koreanstudies Information Service [KISS], KMBASE, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, J-STAGE, China Academic Jurnals [CAJ]), and only suitable randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected. Results 8 RCTs were finally selected, and Chuna therapy showed positive results for lateral epicondylitis compared to western medicine, acupuncture, warm-acupuncture and Chinese medicine iontophoresis. Conclusions In this study, we finally reviewed 8 studies about Chuna therpay used for lateral epicondylitis. The studies showed that Chuna therapy is effective in treating lateral epicondylitis. However, because all of selected studies were found in Chinese database, more high-quality clinical trials about Chuna therapy for lateral epicondylitis are needed in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.77-85
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• 2023

Objectives The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the shoulder lesions in patients experiencing shoulder pain through the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound during Korean medicine intervention treatments. Methods A total of 20 cases were collected, including biceps tendinitis (n=4), calcification (n=3), SASD bursitis (n=4), partial tear (n=2), full-thickness tear (n=1), tendinopathy (n=5), and impingement syndrome (n=1). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used by Korean medicine doctors to perform real-time scanning and to explain the patient's condition during treatment sessions. Results The use of musculoskeletal ultrasound allowed Korean medicine doctors to perform treatments such as pharmacoacupuncture, acupotomy, and acupuncture more safely and effectively. Patients were able to better understand their conditions through real-time imaging and explanations provided by the doctors. Conclusions Musculoskeletal ultrasound has the potential to enhance the safety and efficacy of Korean medicine intervention treatments for patients with shoulder pain. Institutional or governmental support is needed to further promote the use of medical devices by Korean medicine doctors, ultimately leading to an increase in cases and clinical evidence.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2019

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of dynamic balance exercise after intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) therapy in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Method: 30 patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: dynamic balance exercise after HA injection group (group A) and only HA injection group (group B). Both groups administered intra-articular HA injection and group A patients continued 20-session exercises for 4 weeks. The assessments were measured before injection and 4 weeks after treatment using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) for physical function, Berg balance scale (BBS), and computerized dynamic posturography using SMART Balance Master system for balance function. Results: In both groups, significant improvements in VAS, WOMAC and balance function were observed. Compared between groups, group A showed significant improvements compared to group B in WOMAC and balance function. Conclusion: It is suggested that dynamic balance exercise may result in improved balance function and physical function in elderly patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.69-79
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• 2021

Objectives The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of integrative Korean medicine on acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods This study was conducted in a retrospective observational way. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into integrative Korean medicine-treated group (IKM group) and no integrative Korean medicine treated-group (No IKM group). The primary outcome was the difference in the amount of change in pain intensity. The secondary outcome was the difference in pain intensity, opioid consumption over time, and the number of adverse events after surgery. Results The change of numerical rating scale for pain intensity from baseline to IKM group was 3.09±2.12, while 2.64±1.80 in no IKM group, and the difference of change between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Difference in the use of opioid between two groups over time after surgery was also statistically significant (p=0.000). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that integrative Korean medicine can be effective for acute postoperative pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.47-59
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• 2023

Objectives This paper is an analysis of domestic and foreign trends for the Korean medical treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Methods Domestic and foreign databases were searched and analyzed for Korean medical treatment interventions, research types, and treatment effects for avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Results There were 10 case reports in Korea, 2 case reports and 3 randomized controlled studies abroad. A total of 12 treatment interventions were used, and the types include acupuncture, herbal medicine, phamacopunture, electroacupuncture, cupping, physical therapy, chuna, acupotomy, moxibustion, warm acupuncture, laser acupuncture, and motion style treatment. As for the evaluation index, visual analogue scale, range of motion and harris hip score were the most common with 7 cases each. Conclusions Through this study, it was possible to understand the trends of domestic and foreign research on the treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head with Korean medicine. However, due to the small number of literature and no randomized control studies in Korea, treatment evidence is insufficient. It is considered that further research is needed in the future.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.74-85
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• 2021

Ultrasound (US) can depict of various anatomical structures, such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerve roots, and vessels, around the neck. The usage of US around the neck is increasing due to its quick and easy application for guided injection for nerves, tendons, and joints. This article elaborates the degenerative diseases causing neck pain, sonoanatomy, and the use of US for diagnosis and intervention; for example, small nerves around the neck, cervical root, stellate ganglion, medial branches, greater occipital nerve (GON), and third occipital nerve (TON). The aim of this review article is to lead readers to understand the anatomy around the neck and structural relations, and to get to know about several US-guided intervention of the neck.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2020

We report a case of a healthy 38-year-old man presenting with insufficiency fracture of proximal tibia associated with unrecognized osteoporosis. Radiologic bone DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) assessment revealed osteoporosis, but the patient displayed no apparent risk factors for insufficiency fractures and osteoporosis except for a history of smoking. Following right proximal tibial open reduction and internal fixation, the patient commenced smoking cessation and began taking alendronate. The patient was treated for gait rehabilitation, which included quadriceps strengthening exercises and his condition improved with independent walking. This report highlights an unusual site of proximal tibial insufficiency fractures and the potential effect of smoking on low bone mineral density in a young male patient.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2019

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacoacupuncture treatment of coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome. Two patients were diagnosed as coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome which pain was within the anatomical field of the nerve, worsened by pressure-inducing posture, no objective sensory loss and in presence of pin-point tenderness. They were treated by pharmacoacupuncture at perforating cutaneous nerve region penertrating the sacrotuberous ligament and local tenderness point of coccyx. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by pain intensity numerical rating scale (PI-NRS), pressure pain threshold (PPT) and EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D) index. After treatment, their PI-NRS was decreased, PPT and EQ-5D index were increased. The pharmacoacupuncture therapy at entrapment point of perforating cutaneous nerve could be an effective way to treat coccygodynia caused by perforating cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.