• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2002

The main purpose of this article is to suggest a modified SNAGs manual method in based of Mulligan techniques. And this study aimed to resolve the back pain which has combined movement dysfunction in lumbar spine, in addition to upgrade of manual therapy technique in clinical field. The results of this study were as following; 1. The first introduction of SNAGs in Korea is the 'International Mulligan Concepts and Techniques Seminar' by Prof. Russell M. Woodman(Quinnipiac college, USA), 1998. SNAGs is defined a mobilization with movement manual therapy that facet joints of the lesion mobilized to anterior-superior direction according to the treatment plane in apophyseal joint of hypomobility. 2. A treatment mechanism of the SNAGs is, Mulligan say, HIVD which is the result of posterior disk bulging from a increased between intervertebral pressure due to hypo-mobile of facet joints in abnormal spine, so therapist should be necessary mobilization of zygophyseal joints especially in disk lesion. 3. Because Mulligan does not yet mentioned SNAGs techniques about a back pain with combined movements dysfunction, so we suggest a modified SNAGs method for manual therapy of back pain patients due to combined movement dysfunction at lumbar.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2005

Background: A significant number of patients complain of persistent pain or neurologic symptoms after lower back surgery. It is reported that facet joint pain plays a role in failed back surgery syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, there are few studies that have investigated the outcome of radiofrequency neurotomy in the patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Methods: The study group was composed of thirteen patients who were operated on due to their low back pain, and they displayed no postoperative improvement. All the patients underwent double diagnostic block of the lumbar medial branch of the dorsal rami with using 0.5% bupivacaine. The patients who revealed a positive response to the double diagnostic block were then treated with percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. The effect on their pain was evaluated with using a 4 point Likert scale. Results: Eleven patients revealed a positive response to the double diagnostic block. Ten patients were given percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. Nine patients showed sustained pain relief for 3 months after the percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy. Conclusions: We found lumbar facet joint syndrome in the patients with failed back surgery syndrome by performing double diagnostic block and achieving pain relief during the short term follow-up after percutaneous radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar zygapophysial joints. This suggested that facet joint pain should be included in failed back surgery syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.364-369
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• 2005

Objective: Spinal instrumentation without fusion often fails due to biological failure of intervertebral joints (spontaneous fusion, degeneration, etc). The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of fixation rigidity on viability of intervertebral joints. Methods: Twenty pigs in growing period were subjected to posterior segmental fixation. Twelve were fixed with a rigid fixation system(RF) while eight were fixed with a flexible unconstrained implant(FF). At the time of the surgery, a scoliosis was created to monitor fixation adequacy. The pigs were subjected to periodic radiological examinations and 12pigs (six in RF, six in FF) were euthanized at 12-18months postoperatively for analysis. Results: The initial scoliotic curve was reduced from $31{\pm}5^{\circ}$ to $27{\pm}8^{\circ}$ in RF group (p=0.37) and from $19{\pm}4^{\circ}$ to $17{\pm}5^{\circ}$ in FF group (p=0.21). Although severe disc degeneration and spontaneous fusion of facet joints were observed in RF group, disc heights of FF group were well maintained without major signs of degeneration. Conclusion: The viability of the intervertebral joints depends on motion spinal fixation. Systems allowing intervertebral micromotion may preserve the viability of intervertebral discs and the facet joint articular cartilages while maintaining a reasonably stable fixation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.246-250
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• 2005

Facet joint synovial cysts are uncommon intraspinal abnormalities, which appear to be secondary to degenerative changes of the joints. They can cause chronic back pain and radiculopathy, as shown in spinal stenosis. When symptomatic cysts fail to respond to conservative measurements, surgical decompression is known as the standard treatment. Percutaneous steroid injections, and distension of the cysts under fluoroscopic guidance, may be a minimally invasive treatment option. Here, the case of a patient with a symptomatic L5-S1 facet joint synovial cyst and left S1 radiculopathy, who responded satisfactorily to percutaneous treatment, is presented.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.79-87
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• 2000

Objectives : To evaluate the findings useful for differential diagnosis and associated abnormaiities of isthmic spondylolisthesis and degenerative spondylolisthesis on CT. Materials and methods : We reviewed retrospectively the CT images of 65 patients who were diagnosed spondylolisthesis during 3 years period. Our technique was 5mm slices at 5mm intervals with gantry angle to parallel the interspaces. Also reformatted sagittal views were taken. 41 patients were isthmic spondylolisthesis and 24 patients were degenerative spondylolisthesis. Resuits : Isthmic spondylolisthesis. 1. Isthmic type was more common at L5-S1. 2. The degree of anterior displacement was grade I and II. 3. The plane of defect was more horizontal than the usual facet joint. 4. The defect had an irregular shape. 5. Medial aspect of bone just anterior to defect had a small round prominence. 6. Anteroposterior elongation of the spinal canal was common. 7. Pseudobulging disk was common. 8. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the upper level of the defect. Degenerative spondylolisthesis. 1. Degenerative type was more common at L4-5. 2. The degree of anterior disptacement was grade I and II. 3. The Plane of facet joint was oriented obliquely instead of horizontally. 4. The posterior facet(inferior facet of superior vertebra) was anteriorly displaced. 5. Bony spur of the posterior portion of anterior facet was seen. 6. The facet joints often contain gas(vaccum phenomenum). 7. The most common associated abnormality was a HNP at the level of the displacement. Conclusions : CT is a highly accurate and most sensitive technique for recognition, differential diagnosis of isthmic and degenerative types and the detection of associated abnormalities.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2008.03a
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• pp.113-114
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• 2008

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.108-118
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• 1995

The techniques of joint mobilization and traction are used to improve joint mobility or to decrease pain by restoring accessory movements to the shoulder joints and thus allowing full, nonrestriced, pain-free range of motion. In the glenohumeral joint, the humeral head would be the convex surface, while the glenoid fossa would be the concave surface. The medial end of the clavicle is concave anterioposteriorly and convex superioinferiorly, the articular surface of the sternum is reciprocally curved. The acromioclavicular joint is a plane synovial joint between a small convex facet on lateral end of the clavicle and a small concave facet on the acromion of the scapula. The relationship between the shape of articulating joint surface and the direction of gliding is defined by the Convex-Concave Rule. If the concave joint surface is moving on a stationary convex surface, gliding occur in the same direction as the rolling motion. If the convex surface is moving on a stationary concave surface, gliding will occur in an opposite direction to rolling. Hypomobile shoulder joints are treated be using a gliding technique.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2014

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of endoscopic radiofrequency ablation of medial branch in patients with chronic low back pain originating from facet joints. Methods : Between October 2010 and December 2013, 52 consecutive patients had suffering from chronic low back pain had undergone endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch of dorsal ramus. The clinical outcomes of these 52 patients were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), and patients' satisfaction with the procedure were assessed. Results : The pain scores on the VAS for back pain had improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 7.1 to a postoperative mean of 2 at the last follow-up (p<0.001). The clinical outcomes based on the K-ODI had also improved significantly from a preoperative mean of 26.5% to postoperative mean of 7.7% at the last follow-up (p<0.001). 80% of patients were satisfied with the procedure. There were no complications associated with the procedure. Conclusion : Our preliminary results demonstrate that endoscopic radiofrequency denervation of medial branch could be an effective alternative treatment modality for chronic back pain originating from facet joints that provides long-term pain relief.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 1996

The techniques of joint mobilization and traction are used to improve joint mobility or to decrease pain by restoring accessory movements to the shoulder joints and thus allowing full, nonrestriced, pain-free range of motion. In the glenohumeral joint, the humeral head would be the convex surface, while the glenoid fossa would be the concave surface. The medial end of the clavicle is concave anterioposteriorly and convex superioinferiorly, the articular surface of the sternum is reciprocally curved. The acromioclavicular joint is a plane synovial joint between a small convex facet on lateral end of the clavicle and a small concave facet on the acromion of the scapula. The relationship between the shape of articulating joint surface and the direction of gliding is defined by the convex-concave rule. If the concave joint surface is moving on a stationary convex surface, gliding occur in the same direction as the rolling motion. If the convex surface is moving on a stationary concave surface, gliding will occur in an opposite direction to rolling. Hypomobile shoulder joint are treated be using a gliding technique.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.100-106
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between trochlear medial facet osteophyte (TMFO) and elbow flexion in the elbow joints without trauma history. Materials and Methods: Twenty five patients, who underwent computed tomography without elbow trauma history, were reviewed. Patients were checked for osteophyte or loose bodies in the coronoid and olecranon sides. The height and length of TMFO were measured. Results: The average elbow flexion contracture was $18.6^{\circ}$, and further flexion was $112.1^{\circ}$. The TMFO height and length was 2.2 mm and 4.7 mm, respectively. The average elbow further flexion was $105.1^{\circ}$ in the coronoid block group (n=14) and $119.1^{\circ}$ (p=0.011) in the coronoid free group (n=11). The relationship between further elbow flexion and TMFO was significant with a partial correlation coefficient of 0.687(p<0.000) in the TMFO length. Conclusion: Elbow joints with longer TMFO length decrease further flexion.