• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

Purpose: Continuous use of a smartphone increases the angle of forward bending of the user's cervical vertebrae, causing pain in the shoulders and back, including the thorax, lumbar region, and vertebrae. Although there are many studies on changes in the cervical spine due to smartphone usage, the changes in the shoulders, thoracolumbar spine, and pelvic have rarely been compared. The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in the spinal segments, shoulders, and pelvic when using a smartphone with both hands while in the standing position. Methods: This study was conducted on 35 adults in their twenties. The selection criteria for the subjects were limited to those in a similar age group, thus excluding posture differences according to age, and to those who did not have specific diseases or pain in the spinal and musculoskeletal system for 12 months prior to the study. In this study, we used a 3D spinal diagnostic imaging system (Back Mapper, Frickenhausen) to compare the changing conditions in each vertebral segment before and during smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position. Posture differences according to smartphone usage were compared using the paired t-test for the motion of each spinal segment. Results: This study showed that the thoracic and lumbar angle increased posteriorly during smartphone usage (p<0.05). In addition, the anterior rotation angle of the shoulder bone significantly increased, but no significant difference occurred in the pelvic region. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position showed that the spine, as a whole, forms a kyphotic curve. Therefore, we propose to present a postural guideline for correct smartphone usage, considering the change in each vertebral segment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제64권5호
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• pp.677-692
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• 2021

Many studies have focused on pre-operative sagittal alignment parameters which could predict poor clinical or radiological outcomes after laminoplasty. However, the influx of too many new factors causes confusion. This study reviewed sagittal alignment parameters, predictive of clinical or radiological outcomes, in the literature. Preoperative kyphotic alignment was initially proposed as a predictor of clinical outcomes. The clinical significance of the K-line and K-line variants also has been studied. Sagittal vertical axis, T1 slope (T1s), T1s-cervical lordosis (CL), anterolisthesis, local kyphosis, the longitudinal distance index, and range of motion were proposed to have relationships with clinical outcomes. The relationship between loss of cervical lordosis (LCL) and T1s has been widely studied, but controversy remains. Extension function, the ratio of CL to T1s (CL/T1s), and Sharma classification were recently proposed as LCL predictors. In predicting postoperative kyphosis, T1s cannot predict postoperative kyphosis, but a low CL/T1s ratio was associated with postoperative kyphosis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권5호
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• pp.730-740
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• 2022

Objective : Although several commercialized bone cements are used during percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), there are no reports using domestic products from South Korea. In this study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of Spinofill^® (Injecta Inc., Gunpo, Korea), a new polymethyl methacrylate product. Methods : A prospective, single-center, and single-arm clinical trial of 30 participants who underwent PVP using Spinofill^® for painful thoracolumbar OVCF was performed with 6-months follow-up. Clinical and surgical outcomes included the Visual analog scale (VAS), Korean-Oswestry disability index (K-ODI), and Odom's criteria, complication rate, and recurrence rate. Radiological outcomes were evaluated by measuring the findings of postoperative computed tomography and simple radiograph. Results : The pain of VAS (from 8.95±1.05 to 4.65±2.06, p<0.001) and the life quality based on K-ODI (from 33.95±5.84 to 25.65±4.79, p<0.001) improved significantly, and successful patient satisfaction were achieved in 20 patients (66.7%) 1 day after surgery. These immediate improvements were maintained or more improved during the follow-up. There was no surgery- or product-related complications, but OVCF recurred in two patients (6.7%). Favorable cement interdigitation was reported in 24 patients (80.0%), and extra-vertebral cement leakage was reported in 13 patients (43.0%). The mean vertebral height ratio (from 60.49%±21.97% to 80.07%±13.16%, p<0.001) and segmental kyphotic angle (from 11.46°±8.50° to 7.79°±6.08°, p=0.002) improved one day after surgery. However, these short-term radiological findings somewhat regressed at the end. Conclusion : The overall outcomes of PVP using Spinofill^® were as favorable as those of other conventionally used products.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.81-93
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• 2023

Purpose: The current case study focuses on identifying the effects of manual therapy and home self-therapeutic exercise including on mouth opening and pain relief in patients with continuous neck pain with myofascial temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) accompanied by headache induced by masticatory myalgia Subjects: The study participant was a 27-year-old woman who was treated a year ago for pain related to TMDs accompanied by a headache. Methods: Manual therapy of the cervical spine with upper cervical spine posterior-to-anterior mobilization (C1~C2), upper cervical spine flexion mobilization (C0~C2), upper cervical spine lateral flexion mobilization (C0~C1), upper cervical spine thrust manual therapy (C1~C2) and manual therapy of the temporomandibular joint and muscles with transverse medial accessory temporomandibular joint mobilization, manual therapies for the temporal, the masseter, and medial pterygoid muscles were performed twice a week for about 30 minutes for 4 weeks. This protocol included 3 sessions in total. The home self-therapeutic exercise was to be performed two to three times a day. Results: The values more improved MMO increased to 41.4 mm, left masseter muscle PPT to 2.9 kgf/cm², right masseter muscle PPT to 3.1 kgf/cm², KHIT-6 to 46 points, neck pain intensity (by NRS) to 2 points, headache frequency to per weeks, cervical kyphotic angle to -8.06%, and GCPS to grade 1 (low-intensity pain without pain-related disorder). Conclusion: Manual therapy and home self-therapeutic exercise can be helpful for mouth opening and pain relief in patients with myofascial TMDs accompanied by secondary headaches induced by masticatory myalgia.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.209-219
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• 1997

포항 성모병원 정형외과에서 실시한 경추 전방유합술 및 A-O금속판 고정술을 병행하여 치료하고 13개월이상(평균 20개월) 추시가 가능하였던 경추 추간판 탈출증 환자 11례 및 외상환자 3례를 대상으로 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 경추 추간판 탈출 환자 11례 중 상지 방사통을 호소한 경우가 8례이었으며 감각 둔화 및 근력약화를 호소한 환자가 3례이었다. 2. 외상의 기전으로는 굴곡 회전손상 3례이었다. 3. 고정범위는 1개 분절고정이 12례, 두개 분절고정이 2례이었으며 술후 분절수에 관계없이 필라델피아 보조기를 이용해 조기 보행을(평균 2일) 시작하였으며 이러한 조기 보행으로 인한 불편함의 호소는 없었다. 4. 골유합은 이종골을 사용한 1례에서의 불유합을 보였으나, 동종골을 사용한 13례에서는 전례 모두 유합(평균 12주)을 보임으로 이종골 보다는 동종골의 이식에서 높은 유합율을 보였다. 5. 추간판 탈출환자 전례에서 증상의 호전이 있었으며 불완전 마비가 있었던 외상환자 3례에서도 술후 추시 기간 중 Frankel분류상 B에서 C등급으로 호전되었다. 6. 술후 합병증은 금속판 파열 1례 및 일시적인 사성 2례를 제외한 환부 혈종이나 나사못 파열 등의 다른 합병증은 관찰되지 않았다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면 전방 도달법에 의한 전방유합술 및 물림나사와 금속판을 이용해 시술한 경추 추간판 탈출증 및 외상 환자에 있어서 수술적 치료가 안전하고 압박된 신경에 대한 감압, 충분한 안정성 확보로 인한 외고정 기간의 단축 및 신속한 골유합을 기대할 수 있는 방법이며 기존의 금속판과 달리 후방 피질골을 관통하지 않기 때문에 척수의 손상을 피할수 있으며 수술중 방사선 피폭량도 줄일수 있어 권장할 만한 방법으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.1314-1319
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• 2001

Objects : Because of the nonspecific nature of symptoms in tuberculous spondylitis, a delay in the diagnosis can result in progressive neurologic deficits. The authors evaluate the clinical and the radiological results of the 10 cases of surgically treated tuberculous spondylitis. Clinical materials & Methods : We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 10 patients with tuberculous spondylitis who were treated between February 1996 and March 2000. Six patients were female, and four were male. Mean age was 43 years old, and mean follow-up period was 20.5 months. All patients were treated with 12 months of antituberculous medication postoperatively, and were followed by complete blood count, ESR, spine X-ray and MRI. Results : The lumbar spine was involved in 5 patients, the thoracic in 4, and the thoracolumbar in one. The infected vertebral bodies were 2.8 in average. The associated lesions were pulmonary tuberculosis in 3 cases, and renal tuberculosis in one. Five patients were treated by anterior debridement and fusion with bone graft using anterior instrumentation, 2 with anterior debridement and fusion with bone graft(Hong Kong procedure only), 1 with Hong Kong procedure with posterior spinal instrumentation, and 2 were managed with posterior debridement and posterior spinal instrumentation. All patients improved after operation, and the average kyphotic angle decreased postoperatively. Postoperatively, one patient had a fistula at the operative site. Conclusion : The debridement and minimal level fusion of motion segment with instrument fixation is one of surgical option for tuberculous spondyltis to preserve the spine motion segment as much as possible. Spine instability and kyphosis were prevented by anterior and posterior spinal instrumentation. But, large number of cases and longer period follow-up study in future will be needed to confirm the long term results.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.251-257
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• 2018

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and radiological outcomes of patients who underwent posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) by a single neurosurgeon in a single institution. Methods : Thirty-four consecutive patients with severe spinal deformities who underwent PVCR between 2010 and 2016 were enrolled. The radiographic measurements included a kyphotic angle of PVCR levels (VCR angle), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis (LL), and spinopelvic parameters. The data of surgical time, estimated blood loss, duration of hospital stay, complications, intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring, and the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 questionnaire were collected using a retrospective review of medical records. Results : The VCR angle, LL, and SVA values were significantly corrected after surgery. The VCR and LL angle were changed from the average of $38.4{\pm}32.1^{\circ}$ and $-22.1{\pm}39.1^{\circ}$ to $-1.7{\pm}29.4^{\circ}$ (p<0.001) and $-46.3{\pm}23.8^{\circ}$ (p=0.001), respectively. The SVA was significantly reduced from $103.6{\pm}88.5mm$ to $22.0{\pm}46.3mm$ (p=0.001). The clinical results using SRS-22 survey improved from $2.6{\pm}0.9$ to $3.4{\pm}0.8$ (p=0.033). There were no death and permanent neurological deficits after PVCR. However, complications occurred in 19 (55.9%) patients. Those patients experienced a total of 31 complications during- and after surgery. Sixteen reoperations were performed in twelve (35.3%) patients. The incidence of transient neurological deterioration was 5.9% (two out of 34 patients). Conclusion : Severe spinal deformities can be effectively corrected by PVCR. However, the PVCR technique should be utilized limitedly because surgery-related serious complications are relatively common.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.311-316
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study is to investigate the safety, surgical efficacy, and advantages of a polyaxial screw-rod system for posterior occipitocervicothoracic arthrodesis. Methods : Charts and radiographs of 32 patients who underwent posterior cervical fixation between October 2004 and February 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Posterior cervical polyaxial screw-rod fixation was applied on the cervical spine and/or upper thoracic spine. The surgical indication was fracture or dislocation in 18, C1-2 ligamentous injury with trauma in 5, atlantoaxial instability by rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in 4, cervical spondylosis with myelopathy in 4, and spinal metastatic tumor in 1. The patients were followed up and evaluated based on their clinical status and radiographs at 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Results : A total of 189 screws were implanted in 32 patients. Fixation was carried out over an average of 3.3 spinal segment (range, 2 to 7). The mean follow-up interval was 20.2 months. This system allowed for screw placement in the occiput, C1 lateral mass, C2 pars, C3-7 lateral masses, as well as the lower cervical and upper thoracic pedicles. Satisfactory bony fusion and reduction were achieved and confirmed in postoperative flexion-extension lateral radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans in all cases. Revision surgery was required in two cases due to deep wound infection. One case needed a skin graft due to necrotic change. There was one case of kyphotic change due to adjacent segmental degeneration. There were no other complications, such as cord or vertebral artery injury, cerebrospinal fluid leak, screw malposition or back-out, or implant failure, and there were no cases of postoperative radiculopathy due to foraminal stenosis. Conclusion : Posterior cervical stabilization with a polyaxial screw-rod system is a safe and reliable technique that appears to offer several advantages over existing methods. Further biomechanical testings and clinical experiences are needed in order to determine the true benefits of this procedure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2000

Objective : Thoracolumbar junction is second most common level of injury next to cervical spine. The object of this study is to study the usefulness of surgical titanium mesh instead of bone graft, as well as to evaluate the correction of spinal deformity and safety of early ambulation in patients with injury at thoracolumbar junction. Patients and Methods : This review included 51 patients who were operated from July 1994 to December 1997. The injured spine is considered to be unstable, if it shows involvement of two or more columns, translatory displacement more than 3.5mm, decrease more than 35% in height of vertebral body and progression of malalignment in serial X-ray. The decision to operate was determined by (1) compression of spinal cord or cauda eguina, (2) unstable fracture, (3) malalignment and (4) fracture dislocation. The procedure consisted of anterior decompression through corpectomy and internal fixation with anterior instrument and surgical titanium mesh which was impacted with gathered bone chip from corpectomy. Results : Fifty-one patients were followed up for at least 12 months. The main causes of injury were fall and vehicle accident. The twelfth thoracic and the first and the second lumbar vertebrae were frequently involved. Complete neural decompression was possible under direct vision in all cases. Kyphotic angulation occurred in a patient. Radiologic evaluation showed correction of deformity and no distortion or loosening of surgical titanium mesh with satisfactory fixation postoperatively. Conclusions : We could obtain neurological improvement, relief of pain, immediate stabilization and early return to normal activities postoperatively. Based on these results, authors recommend anterior decompression and internal fixation with surgical titanium mesh in thoracolumbar unstable spine injuries.