• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.148-153
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• 2008

Although manual traction, one of pain therapies, was applied in clinic to relief pain, the study was rare on the manual force and displacement of ligaments at knee joint during manual traction. The aim of this study is to quantify not only manual force at knee joint but also elongated displacement of joint ligament by C-arm scanning and motion analysis. Twenty-one healthy subjects were tested with manual traction from grade I to grade III under neutral position by a physical therapist. We calculated traction force using joint farces of both hands and elongated displacement of joint ligament were measured. The results showed that traction forces by C-arm scanning analysis were averagely 1.67-fold greater than those by motion analysis, but elongated displacements were instead averagely 2.36-fold smaller than motion analysis. Finally, we could estimate relationship between traction force and elongated displacement at knee joint by two methods.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.317-321
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• 2019

Purpose: To identify the effect of knee joint traction therapy on pain, physical function, and depression in patients with degenerative arthritis. Methods: In total, 30 patients with degenerative arthritis were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group, who underwent knee joint traction therapy, and the control group, who underwent general physical therapy (15 patients per group). Pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS), physical function was measured using the Western ontario and McMaster universities osteoarthritis (WOMAC) index, and depression was measured using the Beck depression inventory (BDI). The VAS, WOMAC score, and BDI score were recorded before and after the 4-week treatment. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for VAS, WOMAC and BDI after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which knee joint traction was applied showed more significant change in VAS, WOMAC and BDI than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that knee joint traction therapy was effective in improving pain, physical function, and depression in patients with degenerative arthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2014

Background: The case study examined the effect of a hip joint traction and hip posterolateral muscles strengthening on knee pain, range of motion, and lower extremity function scale of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Although PFPS has previously been attributed to quadriceps dysfunction, more recent research has linked this condition to impairment of the hip musculature and kinematic. Methods: Subject is a 27-years-old female with PFPS. Performed hip joint traction with belt and posterolateral muscles(hip abductors, external rotators) strengthening for 4 weeks, 3 times a week, once a day. Before and after the therapy, measurements were made on the visual analog scale (VAS) and of the ROM, and a lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was conducted. Results: The results showed positive changes in VAS and range of motion and lower extremity functional scale. First VAS of knee changed from 6 to 2. Second hip joint range of motion showed that internal rotation recored from $53^{\circ}$ to $58^{\circ}$ and external rotation recorded from $32^{\circ}$ to $37^{\circ}$. Third The lower extremity functional scale showed before therapy of 44; after therapy, 63. Conclusion: The hip joint traction and hip posterolateral muscles strengthening was effective in alleviating knee pain, increasing ROM and Lower extremity functional scale of the PFPS patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.369-377
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between different soccer cleat designs and knee joint moments. Twelve physically active males (mean(SD): age: 26.4(6.2)yrs; height: 176.4(4.1)cm; mass: 74.0 (7.4)kg) were recruited Kinematic and force plate data were collected for all subjects during normal running and a $45^{\circ}$ cutting maneuver, called a v-cut. Both motions were performed at $4.0{\pm}0.2\;m/s$ on infilled artificial turf with three pairs of soccer cleats of different sole plate designs, and one pair of neutral running shoes. Inverse dynamics were used to calculate three dimensional knee joint moments, with repeated measures ANOVA and post hoc paired Student's t-test used to determine significance between shoe conditions. Significant differences were found in the extension moments of the knee for running trials, and for external rotation and adduction moments in the v-cutting trials. Knee moments were greater in v-cut than running, and the traditional soccer cleats (Copa Mondial and World Cup) tended to result in greater knee moments than the Nova runner or TRX soccer cleat. Cleat design was found to influence 3-dimensional knee moments in a v-cut maneuver. In the translational traction test, there were significant differences between all conditions. In the rotational traction test, friction with soccer shoes were greater than friction with running shoes. However, no differences were found between soccer shoes. Higher moments may lead to increased loads and stresses on knee joint structures, and thus, greater injury rates.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.348-353
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the comparison of effects of non-surgical continuous and intermittent traction on pain, balance and physical function in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A total of 30 knee osteoarthritis patients were recruited and randomized to a continuous traction group (n=10), an intermittent traction group (n=10), and a control group (n=10). The continuous traction group and intermittent traction group received a non-surgical continuous and intermittent knee joint traction workout five times a week, for 4 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the numeric rating scale (NRS), timed up and go test (TUGT), and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after the 4-week treatment. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the continuous traction group, intermittent traction group, and control group showed a significant difference for NRS, TUGT, and WOMAC after the experiment (p<0.05). According to the comparison of the three groups, the continuous traction group showed a more effectively significant difference than the intermittent traction group and the control group in the balance and physical functions before and after the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that non-surgical continuous traction treatment was effective in improving pain, balance ability, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of mechanical traction applied to the knee joint on pain, knee range of motion (ROM), timed up and go (TUG) and Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) of Kellgren-Lawrence radiological rating scale II or III. Twenty three patients participated in the experiment for a period of four weeks. After baseline assessment, the patients with KOA were randomized into two groups: the traction group ($n_1=12$), which received traction with general physical therapy; and the control group ($n_2=11$), which received general physical therapy only on unilateral knee joints. Patients received interventions once a day, three times a week, for four weeks. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the change of dependent variances within the group during pre and post intervention. Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the change of dependent variances as TUG and passive ROM between the two groups. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the change of dependent variances as numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and WOMAC score between the two groups. In Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the traction group improved significantly with regard to NPRS (p<.01), passive knee flexion ROM (p<.01), passive knee extension (p<.05), TUG (p<.01) and WOMAC scores (p<.01) after intervention for four weeks, but not for the control group. In the Mann-Whitney U test and analysis of covariance, no significant difference was seen among all the dependent variances after intervention for four weeks between the two groups. These outcomes suggest that further studies should be carried out to determine the effects of mechanical traction prior to using it for the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.510-513
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• 2006

Purpose: The Rectus abdominis muscle free flap is utilized in various reconstruction surgeries due to easiness in harvesting, consistency of vascular pedicle and reduced donor site morbidity. But rarely, femoral nerve injury during rectus abdominis harvesting can be resulted. We report a case of femoral nerve injury after rectus muscle harvesting and discuss the injury mechanism with the follow-up process of this injury. Methods: To reconstruct the defect of middle cranial base after wide excision of cystic adenocarcinoma of the external ear, rectus muscle free flap was havested in usual manner. To achieve a long vessel, inferior epigastric artery was dissected to the dividing portion of femoral artery and cut. Results: One week after the surgery, the patient noted sensory decrease in the lower leg, weakness in muscle strength, and disabilities in extension of the knee joint resulting in immobilization. EMG and NCV results showed no response on stimulation of the femoral nerve of the left leg, due to the defects in femoral nerve superior to the inguinal ligament. With routine neurologic evaluations and physical therapy, on the 75th day after the operation, the patient showed improvement in pain, sensation and muscle strength, and was able to move with walking frame. In 6 months after the operation, recovery of the muscle strength of the knee joint was observed with normal flexion and extension movements. Conclusion: Rarely, during dissection of the inferior epigastric artery, injuries to the femoral nerve can be resulted, probably due to excessive traction or pressure from the blade of the traction device. Therefore, femoral nerve injury can be prevented by avoiding excessive traction during surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique on flexibility of hamstring in people with shortened hamstring. Methods: Thirty two subjects participated in this study. The subjects were assigned to either the Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique group (n=16) or the hold-relax technique group (n=16). 90-90 straight leg raise test was performed for evaluation of hamstring shortening at initial time of study. After intervention, immediate effect (immediately after intervention) and lasted effect (60 min after intervention) were assessed. Results: In the both Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique groups, significant improvements on flexibility of hamstring was observed in immediately and 60 minute after intervention (p<.05). However, there are no significant difference was observed between groups (p>.05). Conclusion: In the results of this study, both Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique and hold-relax technique show immediately and 60 minute after evaluation effectiveness in flexibility of hamstring of people with shortened hamstring. In addition, although the difference is not statistically significant, Mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique was more increased average extension angle of knee joint at 90-90 straight leg raise test than the hold-relax technique.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.631-638
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• 2012

This work proposes a new method to generate velocity profile of a traction motor equipped in a rehabilitation system for knee joint patients through humanoid robot simulation. To this end, a three-dimensional full-body humanoid robot model is newly constructed, and natural human gait is simulated by applying to it reference joint angle trajectories already published. Linear velocity is derived from distance data calculated between the positions of a thigh band and its traction motor at every sampling instance, which is a novel idea of this paper. The projection rule is employed to kinematically describe the humanoid robot because of its high efficiency and accuracy, and measured joint trajectories are used in simulating human natural gait referring to Winter's book. The attained motor velocity profile for a certain position in human body will be applied to our walking-assistance system which is implemented with a treadmill system.