• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.234-237
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• 2005

The neuropathic pain caused by lumbosacral plexopathy as a sequela to extensive pelvic and sacral fractures is rare because many posttraumatic cases remain undiagnosed as a result of the high mortality associated with these types of injury and because of the survivors of multiple trauma, including pelvic fractures, frequently have an incomplete work-up. Although surgical treatments for medically refractory lumbosacral plexus avulsion pain have been reported, an effective surgical technique for pain relief in lumbosacral plexopathy has not been well documented. We describe the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation [SCS] in a patient suffering from severe neuropathic pain caused by lumbosacral plexopathy after an extensive pelvic fracture.

• Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.448-454
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• 2018

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a tragic event that has a major impact on individuals and society as well as the healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the strength of association between surgical treatment timing and neurological improvement. Methods: Fifty-six patients with neurological impairment due to traumatic SCI were included in this study. From January 2013 to June 2017, all their medical records were reviewed. Initially, to identify the factors affecting the recovery of neurological deficit after an acute SCI, we performed univariate logistic regression analyses for various variables. Then, we performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis for variables that showed a p-value of < 0.2 in the univariate analyses. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to determine the goodness of fit for the multivariate logistic regression model. Results: In the univariate analysis on the strength of associations between various factors and neurological improvement, the following factors had a p-value of < 0.2: surgical timing (early, < 8 hours; late, 8-24 hours; p = 0.033), completeness of SCI (complete/incomplete; p = 0.033), and smoking (p = 0.095). In the multivariate analysis, only two variables were significant: surgical timing (odds ratio [OR], 0.128; p = 0.004) and completeness of SCI (OR, 9.611; p = 0.009). Conclusions: Early surgical decompression within 8 hours after traumatic SCI appeared to improve neurological recovery. Furthermore, incomplete SCI was more closely related to favorable neurological improvement than complete SCI. Therefore, we recommend early decompression as an effective treatment for traumatic SCI.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.290-302
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify sexual activities of males with spinal cord injury (SCI) and influential factors of sexual adjustment. Methods: A correlational survey was conducted among a total of 135 males with SCI. Results: After SCI, patients maintained low levels of sexual adjustment, and a main obstacle of sexual rehabilitation was decreased erectile function (65.2%). Sexual desires recovered in 84.4%, with 62.4% patients reporting more than once intercourse experiences. The erectile function of participants with normal, decreased or no erectile function were 13.0%, 62.6% and 24.4%, respectively. 8.1% of the participants reported no problem with ejaculation. Patients with incomplete SCI had better preserved erectile function than those with complete SCI (t=-4.627, p<.001). Patients with upper motor neuron injury had better preserved erectile function than those with lower motor neuron injury (t=2.446, p =.016). Sexual adjustment was relevant to age, job, degree of injury, post-injury period, sexual desire, intercourse experience, erection therapy, erectile function, and sexual health. Sexual adjustment was a factor of sexual health with a power of 24.2%. Conclusion: The main obstacle of sexual rehabilitation for males with SCI decreased erectile function. Erection and ejaculation are dependent on the severity and level of SCI. The major influence on sexual adjustment is sexual health.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.131-146
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• 2002

In the last years, it has become possible to regain some locomotor activity in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) through intense training on a treadmill. The ideas behind this approach owe much to insights derived from animal studies. Many studies showed that cats with complete spinal cord transection(spinalized animals) can recover locomotor function. These observations were at the basis of the concept of the central pattern generator located at spinal level. The neural system responsible for the locomotor restoration in both cats and humans is thought to be located at spinal level and is referred to as the central pattern generator(CPG). The evidence for such a spinal CPG in human is emphasis on some recent developments which support the view that there is a human spinal CPG for locomotion. An important element in afferent inputs for both spinal injured cats and humans is the provision of adequate sensory input related locomotor, which can possibly activate and/or regulate the spinal locomotor circuitry This review article deals with the afferent control of the central pattern generator. Furthermore, the application of adequate afferent inputs related locomotor for stroke patients will be able to facilitate locomotion ability, which is automatic, cyclic, rhythmic. These insights can possibly contribute to a better therapeutic approach for the rehabilitation of gait in patients with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.23-31
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• 2005

Central cord syndrome (CCS) is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) syndrome, occured by cervical hyperextension injury. It is characterized by disproportionately greater motor impairment in the upper extremities compared to the lower extremities, bladder dysfunction, and variable degrees of sensory loss below the level of injury. Recently 36 year-old male was admitted with upper motor neuron weakness, sensory loss in the upper extremities and stiff neck. We report the improvement of his symptoms through both western medical treatment and oriental medical treatment.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.63-77
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• 2018

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of task-oriented training with functional electrical stimulation on hand function in incomplete cervical cord injury. Method : The subjects of the study were 3 adults diagnosed as incomplete cervical cord injury. The design of this study was ABA single-subject research design to compare dominant hand function of before and after intervention and detect individual effects. The experiment consisted of 30sessions, in which baseline process A1 and A2 were implemented 5 sessions each for 10sessions. Intervention B was implemented 20 sessions. The dependent variable was converted to the change of hand function every session, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test(JTHFT), Wolf Motor Function Test(WMFT) were selected for outcome measurements. Result analysis was suggested through visual analysis using a graph and comparison of pre, post and follow-up intervention measurements. Results : As a result, the quality and quantity of dominant hand function increased during intervention B compared to the baseline A1 for all subjects. Baseline A2 was also maintained without training. Additionally, JTHFT, WMFT and COPM scores demonstrated improvement and maintain. The follow up JTHFT and WMFT showed increased required time on all subjects and decrease or maintain task performance and satisfaction in COPM. Conclusion : The task-oriented training with function electrical stimulation in this study has been positive effects on hand function and task performance and satisfaction.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-42
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• 1992

The purpose of this study is to investigate the occurence properties of the complications in spinal cord injured patients. Clinical observation were for 116 cases in and out wards, were carried out during one year from july, 1990 to June, 1991 at 4 general hospitals in Taegu, Korea. The results of this study is summarized as follows : 1. Among the 116 cases, $67.7\%$ was male and $35.3\%$ was female. The largest groups were noted in $60.7\%$, of the forties by age, in $34.5\%$ of the middle school by educational career, in $27.6\%$ of the administer by professional division. 2. The number of complications in a patient in the largest group was two-type. The next groups were three-type, $23.3\%$ and five-type, $20.7\%$. Of each factors, the largest numbers of two-type recorded tuberculosis of spine$(71.4\%)$, thoracic cord injury$(63.4\%)$, incomplete paraplegia$(48.4\%)$, and inwards during 1-2 months $(47.4\%)$. 3. Total number of the complications were counted to 367 cases. The largest group of complications was pain, $24.8\%$. The next groups were pressure sores, $19.9\%$. spasticity, $12.5\%$, and urinary tract infection, $9.3\%$. 4. The number of the 4 major complications(pain, pressure sores, joint contracture, spasticity) was counted to 280 cases. The largest group of the major complications was pain, $32.5\%$. The next groups were pressure sores, $26.1\%$, joint contracture, $25.9\%$ and spasticity, $16.4\%$. Of each factors, the largest numbers of the pain recorded female$(40.5\%)$, thirties$(49.2\%)$, non-educate $(53.8\%)$, labor$(38.2\%)$, traffic accidents$(32.8\%)$, thoracic cord injury$(34.4\%)$, complete paraplegia$(58.1\%)$, and inwards during above 13 months$(37.5\%)$. 5. The largest group of the pain portion was shoulder. $49.4\%$. The non groups were lower extremity, $25.2\%$, hip, $11.0\%$, and all bodies, $4.3\%$. The largest numbers of the shoulder pain recorded thirties$(59.4\%)$, traffic accidents $(52.7\%)$, cervical cord injury$(67.2\%)$. complete quadriplegia$(81.8\%)$, and inwards during above 13 months$(100.0\%)$. 6. The largest group of the pressure sores sites was sacral portion, $83.6\%$. The next groups were hip, $6.8\%$, maleollus, $4.1\%$. The largest numbers of pressure sores formation in the sacral portion recorded below 19 and above $60(100.0\%)$, falling objects$(100.0\%)$, lumbar cord injury$(100.0\%)$, incomplete paraplegia$(100.0\%)$, and in wards during 3-4 months$(95.9\%)$. 7. The largest group of the joint contracture portion was lower extremity, $61.4\%$, follows was upper extremity, $38.6\%$. The largest numbers of the joint contrcture portions recorded thirties$(100.0\%)$, traffic accidents$(86.1\%)$, cervical cord injury$(80.4\%)$, complete quadriplegia$(86.7\%)$, and inwards during 3-4 months $(82.2\%)$ 8. The largest group of spasticity portion was lower extremity, $53.0\%$. The next groups were hip. 23.9, 23.9, ankle, $8.7\%$, and elbow, $4.3\%$. The largest numbers of the spasticity portions recorded above $60(100.0\%)$, falling $(100.0\%)$, cervical cord injury$(71.4\%)$, incomplete quadriplegia$(71.4\%)$, and inwards during 1-2 months $(100.0\%)$.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-42
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the degree of sexual adjustment and quality of life in married men with spinal cord injuries and to furnish primary data to sexuality rehabilitation nursing practice which can lead to ideal sexual life and quality of life those men with SCI. Seventy married men with SCI were conveniently sampled in Kwangju, Suncheon, Mokpo and Seoul for responding the questionnaire, which was based on this research. With the research scale, SIS (Sexual interest and satisfaction) by Siosteen et al.(1990) and SB(Sexual behaviour) by Kreuter et al.(1996) were used for the measurement of sexual adjustment. And, for measuring quality of life was used SCI QL-23(Spinal cord injury of life-23) scale by Lundqvist et al.(1997). Data were collected from January 20 to March 20, 1999, using a structured questionnaire. A hundred volumes of questionnaire were used. and 85 volumes were collected, 70 volumes were used as research data after excluding 15 volumes unsuitable to data analysis. The obtain data were analysed using percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and Pearson's correlation by SAS PC+ program. The results were as follows: 1. The mean score of sexual interest and satisfaction of the subjects was 8.42. out of 18. The ways of their sexual behavior after spinal cord injuries were embracing and caressing (62.9%), kissing(58.6%), caressing breast with hands (55.7%), caressing breast with hands (52.9%), caressing genitals with hands (37.2%), caressing genitals with mouth(30.0%) and sexual intercourse (18.6%). The mean score of quality of life was 52.53 out of 100. 2. Age(F=3.24, p=.045) and caregiver (F=4.02, p=.022)were major variables which reveals significant differences in terms for sexual interest and satisfaction. The later results on Duncan's test showed that subjects who were in their 30s or 40s were significant higher than subjects whose age were in their 50s in their sexual interest and satisfaction. Also subjects with their spouse's care or mother's care were higher than those with other's care. 3. Subjects with incomplete paraplegia were higher than those with the complete paraplegia in sexual interest and satisfaction (F=3.01, p=.036). 4. Variables that showed the significant differences in the quality of life were education(t=2.860, p=.007) and period of marriage(t=2.125, p=.037). and occupational status(t=-2.161, p=.034). High school graduates, those who married before spinal cord injuries and those who didn't have occupation were higher than the other subjects. 5. Variables that revealed significant differences in the quality of life were time passage after spinal cord injuries(F=8.72, p=.001) and injured level of spinal cord(F=3.32, p=.042). Duncan's test showed that subjects who had lived for less than 4 years were higher those with time passage of 5-9 years and 10 years. Also subjects with lumbar injuries were higher than those with thoracic injuries in terms of quality of life. 6. There was negatively correlated between sexual interest and satisfaction and quality of life(r=-.256, p<.05). As a result of these findings sexuality rehabilitation for individuals with SCI was very important issue for their quality of life. Thus, registered nurses who care clients with SCI should activily participate in the client's sexual needs. Also, various sexual behaviors as well as sexual intercourse should be encouraged for the sexual adjustment of client's with SCI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.763-771
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• 2000

Objectives : Thoracolumbar burst fractures(TBLF) result in not only compressive deformity of vertebral body but also spinal cord compression by bony fragments. Many thoracolumbar burst fractures demand both anterior decompression and intervertebral fusion. Most of spinal surgeons use anterior instrumentation for anteior intervertebral bony fusion. The use of Z-plate has been increased recently, however there has been only a few reports regarding its clinical long-term strength. We studied nineteen patients with TBLF to find out the long-term stability of Z-plate. Methods : We have operated 19 patients from March 1996 to August 1998. They were treated with anterior decompression through either a transthoracic, retroperitoneal extrapleural or retroperitoneal approach. Retropulsed bony fragments were removed completely by corpectomy. Iliac bone graft was used for interbody fusion in all of the cases. They were evaluated by plain X-ray films including flexion and extention lateral films. Cobbs angle was used to evaluate kyphotic and lateral wedging deformity. Results : Burst fractured sites were T11 in two, three T12, nine L1, and five L2. Mean follow-up duration was fifteen months. Preoperative average kyphotic angle was 23.7 degree. Immediate postoperative kyphotic angle was 10.2 degree. Follow-up resluts of average kyphotic angles revealed 14 degrees. Four patients(21%), including two spinal 3-column injury, showed increasement of kyphotic angle more than 5 degree or breakage of intrumentation. Two patients showed the difference of kyphotic angle more than 3 degree. Five patients(26%) revealed lateral wedging deformity more than 3 degrees. Postoperative complications were two meralgia parestheticas, one pulmonary atelectasis and two donor site infections. Four of the eight patients, who initially showed incomplete spinal cord deficits, were nerologically improved by Frankel's grade. Conclusion : Z-plate fixation and iliac bone graft after anterior decompression in thoracolumbar burst fractures is a safe and easy method. Immediate postoperative results revealed excellent correction of posttraumatic kyphosis, but long-term follow-up evalution showed insufficient strength. Therefore we believe that use of Z-plate should be carefully decided, especially in the case of large lumbar fracture or 3-column injury.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

In this study, muscle activity was measured using surface EMG (sEMG) during a voluntary maneuver (ankle dorsiflexion) in the supine position was compared pre and post gait training. Nine patients with incomplete spinal cord injury participated in a supported treadmill ambulation training (STAT), twenty minutes a day, five days a week for three months. Two tests, a gait speed test and a voluntary maneuver test, were made the same day, or at least the same week, pre and post gait training. Ten healthy subjects' data recorded using the same voluntary maneuvers were used for the reference. sEMG measured from ten lower limb muscles was used to observe the two features of amplitude and motor control distribution pattern, named response vector. The result showed that the average gait speed of patients increased significantly (p〈0.1) from 0.47$\pm$0.35 m/s to 0.68$\pm$0.52 m/s. In sEMG analysis, six out of nine patients showed a tendency to increase the right tibialis anterior activity during right ankle dorsiflexion from 109.7$\pm$148.5 $mutextrm{V}$ to 145.9$\pm$180.7 $mutextrm{V}$ but it was not significant (p〈0.055). In addition, only two patients showed increase of correlation coefficient and total muscle activity in the left fide during left dorsiflexion. Patients' muscle activity changes after gait training varied individually and generally depended on their muscle control abilities of the pre-STAT status. Response vector being introduced for quantitative analysis showed good Possibility to anticipate. evaluate, and/or guide patients with SCI, before and after gait training.