• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1505-1513
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Many surgical procedures have been introduced to a symptomatic lumbar stenosis. Most of these procedures still have been regarded as an extensive surgical intervention with respect to normal aging process of the lumbar spine. We adopted a microsurgical decompression procedure via unilateral exposure as a minimally invasive intervention for symptomatic lumbar stenosis without instability. Materials and Methods : Fifty-seven patients with symptomatic lumbar stenosis underwent microsurgical decompression via unilateral laminotomy between March 1998 and December 1999. The conceptual modification and technical refinements were added to the previously reported microsurgical decompression procedure. Bilateral decompression through a unilateral laminotomy hole was performed in 11 patients. These patients profile also included 9 cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis(Grade I) without instability. Results : Preoperative neurogenic intermittent claudication(NIC) was more notably improved than low back pain, 60% to 82% during the follow-up period. Overall clinical results were excellent in 20(35%), good in 29(51%), fair in 6(11%) and poor in 2(3%). Conclusions : Microsurgical decompression for lumbar stenosis with stable spine provided a satisfactory symptomatic improvement without extensive destruction of the weight-bearing structures and functional mobile segments, even bilateral symptoms existed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2018

Background: This study examined the effects of nerve mobilization exercise and scapula postural correction exercise and scapula postural correction exercise after applying conservative physical therapy to frozen shoulder. Methods: Thirty-four outpatients were divided into a nerve mobilization exercise and scapula postural correction exercise group and scapula postural correction exercise group. Each group performed its own exercise 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale. Range of motion was measured by the goniometer. The scapular position was measured by scapular index. Grasping power was measured by the Grip Track Commander. Measurements were made at baseline and six weeks after the intervention. Results: the visual analogue scale, range of motion (except lateral rotation), and grasping power for each group showed significant changes at baseline and six weeks after the intervention (p<.05). Significant differences were also evident between the two groups for these three measurements (p<.05). Conclusions: Nerve mobilization exercise & scapula postural correction exercise is more effective than scapula postural correction exercise for reducing pain intensity and increasing grasping power, scapular index and range of motion (except lateral rotation) in frozen shoulder syndrome patients.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.49-66
• /
• 2014

Traditionally, cervical interventions have been performed under fluoroscopy. But radiation exposure is the major concern when obtaining fluoroscopic images and even under real-time fluoroscopy with contrast media or CT guidance, some cases of serious spinal cord injuries, cerebellar and brain stem infarction have been reported by unintentional intra-arterial injections especially during the transforaminal root blocks. Recently, the use of ultrasound-guided cervical interventions have increased. Ultrasound offers visualization of soft tissues including major neurovascular structures and also allows to observe the spread of injectant materials around the target structure. Ultrasound is radiation free, easy to use and the image can be performed continuously while the injectant is visualized in real-time, increasing the precision of injection. Importantly, ultrasound allows visualization of major nerves and vessels and thus leads to improve safety of cervical interventions by decreasing the incidence of injury or injection into nearby vasculature. We therefore reviewed to investigate the feasibility of performing cervical interventions under real-time ultrasound guidance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.93-100
• /
• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the abdominal bracing (AB) and abdominal bracing combined with ankle dorsiflexion (ABDF) on abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Sixteen subjects were divided randomly into two group: ABDF group (n=8), and alone AB group (n=8). The ABDF group practiced AB exercise with additional ankle dorsiflexion. AB group practiced only AB exercises. Subjects in both groups received ABDF exercise and AB exercise for 40 min per day, three days per week during a period of three weeks, respectively. All the subjects were evaluated for abdominal muscle thickness and strength before and after intervention using ultrasonography and MedX machine. Results: The external oblique (EO), internal oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness and the strength produced at $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$ showed a significant increase in the ABDF group after intervention, with a more significant improvement in EO and TrA muscle thickness in the ABDF group compared with the AB group (p<0.05). Also, the strength at $48^{\circ}$ strength showed a significant improvement in the ABDF group than the AB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that abdominal muscle contraction exercises with AD in patients with LBP had an influence on abdominal muscle thickness and strength. Therefore, these findings suggest that ABDF may be useful approach for enhancement of abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.139-148
• /
• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of waist mobilization technique intervention for patients with chronic back pain on balance and the low back pain disability index. Methods : The subjects were 30 patients with chronic back pain. They were sampled and divided into a manual therapy group and a spinal decompression group. 15 subjects were randomly assigned to each group. Each training in this study participated for 6 weeks, 5 times a week, once a day, 15 minutes a day. Balance ability was measured with a balance analyzer, and the low back pain disability index was measured using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results : In the balance abilities, there was a significant difference in the manual therapy group compared to the spinal decompression group. In the low back pain disability index, there was a significant difference in the manual therapy group compared to the spinal decompression group. Conclusion : The analysis results of the effect of 6 weeks of waist mobilization technique intervention on the balance and low back pain disability index for patients with chronic back pain revealed that the manual therapy is more effective for static and dynamic balance ability and the low back pain disability index. In the future, we can promote independent life skills and expect a rapid recovery of patients with chronic back pain. Based on this study, further studies are needed on the effects of balance, the mechanical properties of muscle, and the low back pain disability index depending on various manual therapy techniques.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.9-18
• /
• 2020

Objectives This study verified the clinical effectiveness of Qigong exercise therapy for individuals with hypertension. Methods Ten electronic databases were used for information retrieval. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using Qigong exercise therapy as a treatment for hypertension were included in this study. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality of each RCT. Results After a thorough review, six RCTs were deemed eligible. These studies were divided into two groups: Qigong vs. no intervention and Qigong plus anti-hypertensive drug vs. anti-hypertensive drug alone. Among the six RCTs, four studies were Qigong vs. no intervention, and two studies were Qigong plus anti-hypertensive drug vs. anti-hypertensive drug alone. The meta-analysis demonstrated that adding Qigong exercise to anti-hypertensive drug treatment lowers diastolic blood pressure more than the anti-hypertensive drug alone. Conclusions Although Qigong exercise is not widely used in the Korean medical field, the results of this study demonstrated the necessity of exercise while controlling hypertension. However, the number of included studies was small, with their high risk of bias. In conclusion, although it is difficult to determine whether Qigong exercise lowers blood pressure in hypertensive patients, exercise including Qigong must be parallel with the intake of anti-hypertensive drugs.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Traumatic vertebral injuries have a prevalence of 4-5% at level I centers. Studies have demonstrated that isolated thoracolumbar transverse process fractures (iTPF) rarely require brace or surgical interventions. We hypothesized that similarly isolated thoracolumbar spinous process fractures (iSPF) would have less need for bracing and operative interventions than SPFs with associated vertebral body (VB) fractures (SPF+VB). We performed a similar analysis for iTPF compared to transverse process fractures associated with VB injury (TPF+VB). Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study from 2012 to 2016, patients were classified into iSPF, SPF+VB, iTPF, and TPF+VB groups. Data including the fracture pattern, neurologic deficits, and operative intervention were obtained. The primary outcome studied was the need for bracing and/or surgery. A statistical analysis was conducted. Results: Of 98 patients with spinous process fractures, 21 had iSPF and 77 had SPF+VB. No iSPF patients underwent surgery, whereas 24 (31.17%) SPF+VB patients did undergo surgery (p=0.012). In the iSPF group, three patients (15%) received braces only for comfort, whereas 37 (48.68%) of the SPF+VB group required bracing (p=0.058). Of 474 patients with transverse process fractures, 335 had iTPF and 139 had TPF+VB. No iTPF patients underwent surgery, whereas 28 (20.14%) TPF+VB patients did (p≤0.001). Of the iTPF patients, six (1.86%) were recommended to receive braces only for comfort, while 68 (50.75%) of the TPF+VB patients required bracing (p<0.001). Conclusions: No patients with iSPF or iTPF required surgical intervention, and bracing was recommended to patients in these groups for comfort only. It appears that these injures may be safely managed without interventions, calling into question the need for spine consultation.

• Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.185-195
• /
• 2018

Study Design: Literature review. Objective: Ultrasound-guided injections are a common clinical treatment for lower lumbosacral pain that are usually performed before surgical treatment if conservative treatment fails. The aim of this article was to review ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine. Summary of Literature Review: Ultrasound-guided injections, unlike conventional interventions using computed tomography or C-arm fluoroscopy, can be performed under simultaneous observation of muscles, ligaments, vessels, and nerves. Additionally, they have no radiation exposure and do not require a large space for the installation of equipment, so they are increasingly selected as an alternative method. Materials and Methods: We searched for and reviewed studies related to the use of ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine. Results: In order to perform accurate ultrasound-guided injections, it is necessary to understand the patient's posture during the intervention, the relevant anatomy, and normal and abnormal ultrasonographic findings. Facet joint intra-articular injections, medial branch block, epidural block, selective nerve root block, and sacroiliac joint injections can be effectively performed under ultrasound guidance. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided injections in the lumbar and sacral spine are an efficient method for treating lumbosacral pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) and stretching exercise (SE) on office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : A total of 32 office workers with forward head posture were randomly assigned to experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group underwent combined CSE and SE, and the control group underwent cervical self-myofascial release and SE. Both groups performed exercises for 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of 6 weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, disability, and joint range of motion (ROM) before and 6 weeks after intervention were measured and compared. Results : There was no significant between-group difference in the general characteristics (p>.05). The intra-group comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) of both groups post-intervention (p<.05). CVA and forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV₁) were significantly improved post-intervention in the experimental group only (p<.05). In the experimental group, all ROM variables were significantly improved post-intervention. In contrast, in the control group, all ROM variables improved significantly post-intervention, except for extension (p<.05). The inter-group comparison showed significant differences in NDI, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, and left rotation between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The combination of CSE and SE, which stabilizes the cervical spine, had positive effects on cranial rotation angle, respiration, disability, and joint ROM in office workers with forward head posture. Therefore, the combination of the two exercises may be an effective option to reduce symptoms and prevent postural problems in office workers with FHP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.71-81
• /
• 2024

Purpose : In this study, we compared the effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Outcome measures investigated included the neck disability index, craniovertebral angle (CVA), cranial rotation angle (CRA), and thickness of the longus colli muscle (LC) and carotid artery (CA) post-intervention. Methods : The study included 20 individuals with a forward head posture, who were assigned to an experimental group (EG, individuals performed ankle exercises) or control group (CG, individuals performed McKenzie and cervical stabilization exercises). The EG intervention was specifically designed to enhance proprioception in the ankle joint and strengthen the ankle muscles to improve overall stability and function. In contrast, CG interventions aimed to improve neck muscle balance and cervical spine alignment. Paired t-tests were used to analyze intragroup changes and independent t-tests to determine intergroup differences pre-and post-intervention. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at α=.05. Results : We observed significant post-intervention improvements in both groups, specifically, in the CVA, CRA, and LC and CA thickness (p<.05). These results indicate that ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises were useful for neck posture correction, improved muscle balance, and enhanced blood flow to the neck. Conclusion : This study underscores the positive effects of ankle, McKenzie, and cervical stabilization exercises in individuals with a forward head posture. Our study highlights the benefits of these exercises for posture correction and overall neck health and the clinical effectiveness and usefulness of ankle exercises as an important intervention to improve forward head posture.