• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

Background: Local steroid injection is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological effects of local steroid injection in patients with CTS over a 3-months period. Methods: Twenty-one patients (35 hands) with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of CTS were treated by injection of triamcinolone 40 mg to the carpal tunnel. Visual analog scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), rates of paresthesia, night awakening, and electrophysiological studies were used as outcomes. Clinical and electrophysiological assessments were performed before, 1 and 3 months after treatment. Results: Prior to treatment, 86% of patients complained of night awakening. At 1 and 3 months after injection, only 17% and 29% of the patients, respectively, had night awakening (p<0.001). All patients complained of paresthesia before the treatment. This symptom disappeared in 60% and 31% of the patients after 1 and 3 months, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to baseline, both BCTQ and VAS show significant improvement during the 3 months of the study (p<0.005). Although significant improvements in clinical parameters were shown, electrophysiological parameters were not significantly improved at 1 and 3 months. Conclusions: Local corticosteroid injection for the treatment of CTS provides significant improvement in symptoms for 3 months. On the other hand, no significant improvement was observed in electrophysiological parameters.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.362-369
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• 1990

In order to determine the mechanism of saline stress, forage plants were irrigated with sea water. Saline stress was investigated on photosynthesis, root respiration, evapotranspiration and visual symptoms. All crops showed increased relative evapotranspiration and relative photosynthesis under low temperature (11-16$^{\circ}C$) rather than high temperature (22-24$^{\circ}C$). The correlation coefficients calculated for each crop between relative evapotranspiration and root respiration were 0.996$\^$**/ for orchard grass, 0.828$\^$*/ for alfalfa and 0.963$\^$**/ for white clover. No significant correlation coefficient between relative evapotranspiration and root repiration was found for the tall fescue. The effects of OED spray on the evapotranspiration and root respiration of crops in the sea watered pots were low compared with those in the fresh watered pots. When OED was sprayed and zeolite was used, the evapotranspiration and root respiration were low compared with check pots and sand pots. The root damage due to sea water treatment was characterized by brown colored root cortex in orchard grass and tall fescue, and water penetration of root cortex in alfalfa and white clover.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.129-135
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• 2005

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the effect of bee venom and Scolopendrae Corpus herbal acupuncture on the feeling of cold on legs. Methods : The patient was managed by bee venom and Scolopendrae Corpus herbal acupuncture, body acupuncture and herbal medicine. The following points were selected : BL40, BL57, BL60; SP6. After bee venom and Scolopendrae Corpus herbal acupuncture treatment, body acupuncture was performed at the same points. We evaluated the patient through Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) and Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging(D.I.T.I). Results : After 12 times of treatment, the patient showed that clinical symptoms was decreased, VAS changed from 10 to 3 and there was also improvement change on D.I.T.I.. Conclusions : According to the results, bee venom and Scolopendrae Corpus herbal acupuncture may have the effects on the feeling of cold on legs. But further studies and required to prove the effects of this methods.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.7-14
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of bee venom pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy according to the methods used to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA): intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular injection, intra-acupoint injection, and intra-articular injection. Methods: A total of 69 patients were recruited by the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion at Dong-Eui Oriental University Hospital from February 1 to July 23, 2012. The patients were assigned to 3 groups: the first group with intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular BVP Injection (the experimental group), the 2nd group with intra-acupoint BVP injection (control group II), and the 3rd group with intra-articular BVP injection (control group II). The participants were assigned in the order in which they were recruited. Treatments were done twice a week, for a total of 9 times. The effectiveness was assessed by using the visual analouge scale (VAS) and the Korea Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC). Results: All three groups exhibited significant VAS and KWOMAC effects. Moreover, the 4 week follow-up after the final treatment showed a persistence of BVP effects. However, when the groups were compared, no statistically significant differences in VAS and KWOMAC were noted, but when improvement was considered, the results showed that intra-articular injection was more effective than intra-acupoint injection. Especially, intra-acupoint combined with intra-articular injection was the most effective among the three treatments. Conclusions: Combining intra-acupoint with intra-articular injection, depending on the patient's symptoms, may produce better results when conservatively treating knee OA.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: To evaluate the clinical outcomes and associated repair integrity in patients treated with arthroscopic repair for a transtendinous rotator cuff tear followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon. Methods: Between July 2007 and July 2011, we retrospectively reviewed patients who were treated for transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff by arthroscopic repair. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, the Shoulder Rating Scale of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), the Constant-Murley score, a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, and range of motion (ROM). The repair integrity was determined by magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography. Results: There were 19 shoulders with transtendinous full-thickness tears in the tendinous portion of the rotator cuff. The ASES, UCLA, Constant-Murley, and VAS pain scores showed significant improvements in function and symptoms (all p<0.001). The active ROM for forward flexion and abduction was also significantly improved (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). The postoperative radiological examination showed cuff integrity without a re-tear in 68.4% of patients. However, the UCLA, ASES, and Constant-Murley scores were not significantly different between healed and re-torn group (p=0.530, p=0.885, and p=0.262, respectively). Conclusions: Although repair of transtendinous rotator cuff tears followed by resection of the remnant rotator cuff tendon in the footprint has a relatively high re-tear rate, no significant difference was observed in the short-term clinical results between the re-tear and healed groups.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.230-235
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• 2017

Background: Neer type II distal clavicle fractures have the drawback of coracoclavicular instability and insufficient distal bony fragment, thereby making it difficult to achieve adequate fixation. Although various surgical treatments have been described for Neer type II fracture, the optimal treatment remains controversial. This study reports the clinical results and usefulness of anatomical locking plate with additional K-wire fixation. Methods: A totally of 21 patients with type II distal clavicle fracture were included in the study. The surgical procedure reduced the fracture temporarily; it included insertion of one or two K-wire from the lateral margin of the distal fragment to the proximal fragment through the fracture site, followed by application and fixation of the locking plate. The bony union and migration of K-wire was evaluated in the follow-up radiography. The coracoclavicular distance and acromioclavicular joint arthrosis were assessed at the final follow-up. The Constant Score (CS) and Korean Shoulder Score (KSS) were evaluated for clinical scoring. Results: Bone union was achieved in all cases. At the final follow-up, coracoclavicular distance of the injured shoulder was increased, as compared to the intact shoulder (p=0.002), with no accompanying clinical symptoms. No K-wire migration was observed. At the final follow-up, K-wire irritation was observed in two cases and acromioclavicular arthrosis in one case, with no other adverse effects. Pain visual analogue scale, CS, and KSS were improved in all cases. Conclusions: The method of anatomical locking plate with additional K-wire fixation could be useful in achieving beneficial clinical results.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2011

Purpose: This study evaluated the efficacy of an intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of early stage osteoarthritis of the ankle. Materials and Methods: Early stage ankle osteoarthritis (Takakura stage I and II) patients who received hyaluronic acid injection therapy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients underwent intra-articular injections of 2 mL of sodium hyaluronate for 3 consecutive weeks. Clinical evaluation and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scoring were performed at every three months after treatment. Results: Total 27 patients were involved and mean age was 55 year old (range 33 to 77 years). There were 13 male and 14 female patients. Mean follow up duration was 13 month and. Pre-intra-articular VAS score was $8.9{\pm}0.7$ and three month follow up score was $3.8{\pm}2.8$. VAS score of last follow up was $3.2{\pm}3.4$. The effect of hyaluronic acid continued about one year when analyzed the VAS score change of the patients followed for more than one year. Patients' satisfaction was "very satisfied" in nine, "satisfied" in 12, "fair" in one, and "not satisfied" in five patients. Overall satisfaction rate was 82%. There were no ankle osteoarthritis stage changes in serial follow up radiograph. Conclusion: Symptomatic relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the ankle was achieved by injection of an intra-articular hyaluronate injection. Efficacy of Hyaluronate acid injection persisted more than 1 year in our study. Intra-articular hyaluronate injection to ankle osteoarthritis is safe and effective as knee joint and should be considered as a valid conservative treatment for ankle osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2010

This case was report of intra-articular bee venom pharmacopuncture injection on the patient with Acute Traumatic Partial tear of meniscus. We used intra-articular bee venom pharmacopuncture injection to Acute Traumatic Partial tear of meniscus diagnosed by symptoms and MR imaging. Be under treatment if necessary we prescribed herbal medication and physiotherapy. The state of patient was measured by Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and Walking time and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities(WOMAC) Index score. After several times of treatments, noticeable reduction of pain was measured and increased time of walking on floor and decreased WOMAC score. This results suggest that intra-articular bee venom pharmacopuncture injection are effective to treatments of Acute Traumatic Partial tear of meniscus.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.11-21
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• 2010

Objective : This study was aimed at investigating the therapeutic effects of acupuncture on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa on idiopathic Pakinson's disease patients. Methods : The subjects of this study were 42 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. We divided them into two groups; acupuncture treatment group, no treatment group. We treated the former group with acupuncture therapy focusing on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa while administering Levodopa as well. And the latter group was also dosed up with Levodopa without acupuncture therapy. To see the effect of acupuncture treatment clearly, we used gastrointestinal syndrome rating scale (GSRS) and visual analog scale (VAS) and compared the GSRS grade and VAS score of two groups statistically, after 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks since they have been under the treatment. Results : This study suggests that the group who has been treated with acupuncture on gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa on idiopathic pakinson's disease patients showed higher GSRS grade and VAS score than the one that has not. But, We could't find statistical significance between the two groups on improvement of GSRS grade and VAS score. Conclusions : These results proved that acupucture theraphy might be available for re lieving symptoms related with gastrointestinal side effect of Levodopa than the one that has not. But further studies are necessary.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2004

It has been reported that rotator cuff tear have good response to arthroscopic or open repair even if the range being so wide. However, the majority of this literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of tear focused on lesion of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. But involvement of the subscapularis tendon with rotator cuff tear should be thought to be less common and poorer to open operative repair. Furthermore, some europian author have stated that the rotator cuff tear including the subscapularis tendon are sufficiently distinct in their clinical presentation and prognosis as to merit separate consideration of their diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate result of arthroscopic or open repair in patient with rotator cuff tear that include the subscapularis tendon. Of the 128 rotator cuff repairs performed from 1998 through 2003, 12 had a tear that include the subscapularis tendon in combination with the supraspinatus (8 cases) and infraspinatus (4 cases). Mean duration of symptoms before surgical treatment was 6 months (range 3 to 12 months). All 12 patient demonstrated a positive lift off sign. Shoulder function was assessed using the Constant- Murley score, which ranges from 30 to 58. Pain was assessed using a linear visual analogue scale range from 0 to 10. Postoperative Constant score range from 40 to 64 (average 47.8). Pain score improved from 5.5 to 8.5, but there are postoperative pain improvement on nothing in 5 patient. The overall result for 12 patient were satisfy in 2, fair in 5 and dissatisfy in 5: Therefore satisfactory result were noted only in 16 % of this overall group. In conclusion, we have failed to make good result in patient with rotator cuff tear that included the subscapularis tendon. At the result, outcome after surgical repair of this type of rotator tear is comparatively inferior to the result of operative repair of rotator cuff not involved the subscapularis tendon.