• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.62-73
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• 2018

Objectives: This study conducted a retrospective review to compare the effectiveness of herbal medicine, while confirming the effectiveness of Korean medicine (KM) in traffic accidents (TA). Methods: We investigated the medical records of TA patients who were hospitalized at Muuido Korean medicine hospital from January 2016 to June 2018 retrospectively. Medical records included general characteristics (Gender, age), TA & treatment-related information (Collision type, chief complaint, hospitalization period, and herbal medicine prescription), and clinical scales (Five-scale improvement, numerical rating scale (NRS)). Statistical analysis was performed for data distribution and effectiveness comparison. Results: 755 TA patients showed 0.78:1 gender ratio. 20-50s years old, rear collision, pain in the cervical and lumbar spine, and hospitalization period within 14 days were the majority. KM improved 83.18% of 755 TA patients' symptoms and ROM over 'improvement' level, which indicated 30-70% improvement. With common KM treatments including acupuncture, cupping, heat therapy, and manipulation therapy, TA patients received various herbal medicines and herbal medicine for breaking severe blood stasis (Tongdo-san) showed improvement in both five-scale improvement and NRS change at the same time. Conclusions: We could confirm the effectiveness of KM, particularly herbal medicine in TA. It would be necessary to develop new herbal medicines such as Tongdo-san to treat TA-related symptoms.

• 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 Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.27-38
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• 2020

Background : The study aimed at examining the awareness and satisfaction level of Korean medicine treatment of musculoskeletal patients and non-musculoskeletal patients. Method : The frequency and percentage were calculated to identify the overall characteristics, and to identify the characteristics of the respondents who visited the hospital to treat musculoskeletal diseases and those who visited for the treatment of non-musculoskeletal diseases, the correlation between the variables was analyzed using the chi-square analysis (χ2-test). Furthermore, analysis items were compared depending on detailed diseases within the musculoskeletal disorder (lumbar pain, sprains, arthritis, frozen shoulders, spondylitis, disc) Result : Respondents who used Korean medicine for the purpose of treating musculoskeletal diseases had answered that costs involved in Korean medicine was expensive, and answered that herbal decoction was the preferred Korean medicine treating method for expanding health insurance benefits. Regarding the safety awareness of Korean medicinal herbs, responses that said it was safe was high, and their willingness to use and recommend Korean medicine in future was also high. Respondents who used Korean medicine for the purpose of treating musculoskeletal diseases said they were overall satisfied along with the attitude of Korean medical doctors, treatment results, and costs of treatments. Conclusion : The study was aimed at securing basic data to indirectly identify the national demand for Korean medicine, through investigating the level and degree of differences that exist in the perception and satisfication level and further find a point where policy intervention is possible in future.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.781-789
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• 2021

To enhance the design and comfort of waist-protection corsets, this study analyzed the product characteristics of five types of posture-correction corsets that are available commercially. Additionally, subjective evaluation of the corsets was conducted on women aged 20 to 60 years, in terms of design, material preference, fit, comfort, degree of correction, freedom of movement, tightness, and convenience of front fastening. Following product analysis, the five corset types were divided into: two soft, one semi-hard, and two hard types in terms of the degree of elongation. As a result of pattern analysis, the soft type was designed to improve fit by reflecting the body curvature, whereas the semi-hard and hard types were relatively flat. Through the wearing sensation assessment, the hard type manufactured by company S was the best in terms of design, material, fit, comfort, correction degree, and freedom of movement. The soft type was average in design, material, and fit while relatively poor in the correction degree and tightness. The results indicated that soft materials, flexible bones with appropriate tension, patterns designed to snugly fit the body with large curvature at the top and bottom for better inflection, and adjustable support belts that can be double-fixed are crucial elements in improving the corset design to boost the comfort of wearing. These study results are helpful in the development of waist-protection corsets with excellent wearing comfort and design appreciated by customers.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.125-131
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• 2022

This study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined Korean medicine treatment on a patient who was diagnosed on lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) with localized bone marrow edema. The patient was treated with acupuncture, pharmacopucture, cupping and herbal medicine. We evaluated patient's progress using range of motion (ROM), EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D), Oswestry disability index (ODI), numerical rating scale (NRS), patient global impression of change, self-walkable distance. NRS of back pain decreased from 7 to 5, at the same time NRS of lower limb decreased from 4 to 3. EQ-5D score increased from 0.24 to 0.646. ODI score improved 80 to 62. Self-walkable distance and lumbar spine ROM also increased. As a result, clinical improvements were found in a patient. In conclusion, this study shows that Korean medicine treatment can be considered as effective conservative care for LSTV with localized bone marrow edema.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.235-239
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• 2022

A 10-year-old neutered male Siberian Husky presented with paraparesis and severe lethargy. On physical examination, the patient was unable to weight-bear and walk and exhibited significant muscle mass loss in both hindlimbs and generalized truncal alopecia with a dull coat of hair. On neurological examination, cranial lumbar vertebral pain, hind limb cross-extensor reflex, delayed hindlimb postural reaction, upper motor neuron bladder dysfunction, and total absence of cutaneous trunci reflex were identified. Computed tomography revealed diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and spondylosis deformans of the cervical and thoracolumbar vertebrae. In addition, a generalized decrease in bone mineral density of the vertebrae was identified. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperplasia of the epidural fat compressing the spinal cord in the thoracolumbar region and concurrent mild multiple intervertebral disc herniations. No specific findings were observed in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Blood analysis of thyroid function revealed decreased total T4 and free T4 levels, and increased TSH levels. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) secondary to hypothyroidism. The patient was treated with levothyroxine, firocoxib, and gabapentin. Clinical signs gradually improved, and the patient showed normal ambulation 40 days after treatment initiation. SEL is extremely rare in dogs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of SEL secondary to hypothyroidism that was treated conservatively. Secondary SEL can be sufficiently managed by treating the underlying cause, if possible.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.56-60
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• 2022

The most common cause of foot drop is lumbar degenerative disc herniation, particularly at L4/5. We present a rare case of spinal cord injury accompanied by a thoracolumbar lesion that presented with bilateral foot drop. A 69-year-old male patient presented with sudden-onset severe bilateral leg pain and bilateral foot drop. Radiologic findings revealed T12 spondylitis compressing the conus medullaris. He had undergone vertebroplasty for a T12 compression fracture after a fall 6 months before. A physical examination showed bilateral foot drop, paresthesia of both L5 dermatomes, increased deep tendon reflex, and a positive Babinski sign. An acute bilateral L5 root lesion and a conus medullaris lesion were suspected based on electromyography. A surgical procedure was done for decompression and reconstruction. After the operation, bilateral lower extremity muscle strength recovered to a good grade from the trace grade, and the patient could walk without a cane. The current case is a very rare report of bilateral foot drop associated with T12 infectious spondylitis after vertebroplasty. It is essential to keep in mind that lesions of the thoracolumbar junction can cause atypical neurological symptoms. Furthermore, understanding the conus medullaris and nerve root anatomy at the T12-L1 level will be helpful for treating patients with atypical neurological symptoms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

Background: The gluteus maximus (GM) muscle comprise the lumbo-pelvic complex and is an important stabilizing muscle during leg extension. In patients with low back pain (LBP) with weakness of the GM, spine leads to compensatory muscle activities such as instantaneous increase of the erector spinae (ES) muscle activity. Four-point kneeling arm and leg lift (FKALL) is most common types of lumbopelvic and GM muscles strengthening exercise. We assumed that altered hip position during FKALL may increase thoraco-lumbar stabilizer like GM activity more effectively method. Objects: The purpose of this study was investigated that effects of the three exercise postures on the right-sided GM, internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and multifidus (MF) muscle activities and pelvic kinematic during FKALL. Methods: Twenty eight healthy individuals participated in this study. The exercises were performed three conditions of FKALL (pure FKALL, FKALL with 120° hip flexion of the supporting leg, FKALL with 30° hip abduction of the lifted leg). Participants performed FKALL exercises three times each condition, and motion sensor used to measure pelvic tilt and rotation angle. Results: This study demonstrated that no significant change in pelvic angle during hip movement in the FKALL (p > 0.05). However, the MF and GM muscle activities in FKALL with hip flexion and hip abduction is greater than pure FKALL position (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that change the posture of the hip joint to facilitate GM muscle activation during trunk stabilization exercises such as the FKALL.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.126-133
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• 2019

Objective: To compare the lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat-signal fractions obtained from six-echo modified Dixon sequence (6-echo m-Dixon) with those from single-voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in patients with low back pain. Materials and Methods: Vertebral bone marrow fat-signal fractions were quantified by 6-echo m-Dixon (repetition time [TR] = 7.2 ms, echo time (TE) = 1.21 ms, echo spacing = 1.1 ms, total imaging time = 50 seconds) and single-voxel MRS measurements in 25 targets (23 normal bone marrows, two focal lesions) from 24 patients. The point-resolved spectroscopy sequence was used for localized single-voxel MRS (TR = 3000 ms, TE = 35 ms, total scan time = 1 minute 42 seconds). A 2 × 2 × 1.5 cm³ voxel was placed within the normal L2 or L3 vertebral body, or other lesions including a compression fracture or metastasis. The bone marrow fat spectrum was characterized on the basis of the magnitude of measurable fat peaks and a priori knowledge of the chemical structure of triglycerides. The imaging-based fat-signal fraction results were then compared to the MRS-based results. Results: There was a strong correlation between m-Dixon and MRS-based fat-signal fractions (slope = 0.86, R² = 0.88, p < 0.001). In Bland-Altman analysis, 92.0% (23/25) of the data points were within the limits of agreement. Bland-Altman plots revealed a slight but systematic error in the m-Dixon based fat-signal fraction, which showed a prevailing overestimation of small fat-signal fractions (< 20%) and underestimation of high fat-signal fractions (> 20%). Conclusion: Given its excellent agreement with single-voxel-MRS, 6-echo m-Dixon can be used for visual and quantitative evaluation of vertebral bone marrow fat in daily practice.