• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.5
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• pp.567-576
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• 2019

Objective : Minimal data exist regarding non-operative management of suspected pseudarthrosis after pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). This study reports radiographic and clinical outcomes of non-operative management for post-PSO pseudarthrosis at a minimum 5 years post-detection. Methods : Nineteen consecutive patients with implant breakage indicating probable pseudarthrosis after PSO surgery (13 women/six men; mean age at surgery, 58 years) without severe pain and disability were treated with non-operative management (mean follow-up, 5.8 years; range, 5-10 years). Non-operative management included medication, intermittent brace wearing and avoidance of excessive back strain. Radiographic and clinical outcomes analysis was performed. Results : Sagittal vertical axis (SVA), proximal junctional angle, thoracic kyphosis achieved by a PSO were maintained after detection of pseudarthrosis through ultimate follow-up. Lumbar lordosis and PSO angle decreased at final follow-up. There was no significant change in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) total score, or subscales of pain, self-image, function, satisfaction and mental health between detection of pseudarthrosis and ultimate follow-up. SVA greater than 11 cm showed poorer ODI and SRS total score, as well as the pain, self-image, and function subscales (p<0.05). Conclusion : Non-operative management of implant failure of probable pseudarthrosis after PSO offers acceptable outcomes even at 5 years after detection of implant breakage, provided SVA is maintained. As SVA increased, outcome scores decreased in this patient population.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-23
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• 1998

Work-related Low Back Pain(LBP) is one of tile most important Issues in the field of industrial safety and health. Particularly, manual lifting is known as a major cause of work-related LBP and impairment. Total number of 163 manual lifting tasks in motor assembly processes were investigated. The 1981 and the 1994 equations developed by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) were applied to evaluate potential hazards of lifting-related LBP. Comparisons between the 19R I and 1994 NIOSH criteria were made. The relationships between the NIOSH criteria and lifting-related LBP were also analyzed. The results of this study are as follows: 1. The values of Action Limit(AL) by the NIOSH 1981 lifting equation. Recommended Weight Limit(RWL) by the 1994 equation and the weight of the load handled at each manual lifting task were shown log-normal distributions. 2. LI'(the weight of tile load/AL) and LI(the weight of the load/RWL) were calculated estimate the physical stress imposed by each individual lifting task. As a result. 76.7% of the total LI' value exceeded 1 and 12.9% exceeded 3, and 84.7% of the total LI values exceeded 1 and 20.9% exceeded 3. 3. Bus 2 Department showed the highest rate of LI'>1 and LI>1 and Bus 1 Department showed the highest rate of LI'>3 and LI>3 4. In general, the RWLs by the 1994 equation were found lower than the ALs by the 1981 equation. It is assumed to he resulted from the fact that the 1994 equation includes methods evaluating asymmetrical lifting tasks and lifts of objects with less then optimal hand-container couplings, and also covers a larger range of work durations and lifting frequencies than the 1981 equation. 5. Significant correlations were found between LI' and incidence of LBP (R=0.734, p<0.05). LI and incidence of LBP(R=0.671. p<0.10) and load-weights and incidence of LBP(R=0.797, p<0.05). 6. Control measures are required to achieve the value of LI less than 1 for some tasks having high LI values. Engineering control is highly recommended for some tasks having the value of LI above 3.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.63-74
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Oriental medical treatment in patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD). Methods : This clinical study was carried out on 39 patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD), who had been admitted from Jan. 2012 to Nov. 2012. All of 39 patients were treated with acupuncture, Chuna treatment and herbal medicine during the whole admission period. Verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS) and Oswestry disability index(ODI) were used to evaluated the effectiveness of the Oriental medical treatment. Results : 1. Significant improvement of the symptoms of low back pain and leg pain on 39 patients with Spondylolisthesis and lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc(HIVD) was seen when evaluated with VNRS and ODI. 2. There was no significant difference of improvement by herniated type when evaluated with VNRS and ODI.. 3. There was no significant difference of improvement by spondylolisthesis type(degenerative and spondylolytic) when evaluated with VNRS and ODI. Conclusions : These results suggest that in the case of low back pain and lower limb numbness caused by Spondylolisthesis and HIVD, conservative treatments can be considered as one of the options of treating the symptoms beside surgical way.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.267-272
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• 2011

Objective : Although iliac crest autograft is the gold standard for lumbar fusion, the morbidity of donor site leads us to find an alternatives to replace autologous bone graft. Ceramic-based synthetic bone grafts such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and b-tricalcium phosphate (b-TCP) provide scaffolds similar to those of autologous bone, are plentiful and inexpensive, and are not associated with donor morbidity. The present report describes the use of Polybone$^{(R)}$ (Kyungwon Medical, Korea), a beta-tricalcium phosphate, for lumbar posterolateral fusion and assesses clinical and radiological efficacy as a graft material. Methods : This study retrospectively analyzed data from 32 patients (11 men, 21 women) who underwent posterolateral fusion (PLF) using PolyBone$^{(R)}$ from January to August, 2008. Back and leg pain were assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and clinical outcome was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Serial radiological X-ray follow up were done at 1, 3, 6 12 month. A computed tomography (CT) scan was done in 12 month. Radiological fusion was assessed using simple anterior-posterior (AP) X-rays and computed tomography (CT). The changes of radiodensity of fusion mass showed on the X-ray image were analyzed into 4 stages to assess PLF status. Results : The mean NRS scores for leg pain and back pain decreased over 12 months postoperatively, from 8.0 to 1.0 and from 6.7 to 1.7, respectively. The mean ODI score also decreased from 60.5 to 17.7. X-rays and CT showed that 25 cases had stage IV fusion bridges at 12 months postoperatively (83.3% success). The radiodensity of fusion mass on X-ray AP image significantly changed at 1 and 6 months. Conclusion: The present results indicate that the use of a mixture of local autologous bone and PolyBone$^{(R)}$ results in fusion rates comparable to those using autologous bone and has the advantage of reduced morbidity. In addition, the graft radiodensity ratio significantly changed at postoperative 1 and 6 months, possibly reflecting the inflammatory response and stabilization.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.79-89
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate various application methods of focused ultrasound and apply them to clinical use in Korean medicine. Methods : Search was performed using the search engines of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ScienceON, Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, Japan Science Technology Information Aggregator, Electronic (J-STAGE) and Citation Information by NII (CiNii), from inception to July 2023 without language limitation. Inclusion criteria were clinical studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and animal experimental studies related with focused ultrasound treatments for acupoints or meridian sinews. Results : Total 17 papers, 7 for RCT, 6 for in vivo animal studies, and other experimental studies, were finally selected. Indications used in studies were shoulder pain, back pain, chronic back pain, and degenerative knee arthritis. In experimental studies, studies on animal models of hypoxic ischemic brain damage and hyperlipidemia were also conducted. As for the acupoints, LR3, LI4, and ST36 were used in clinical studies and, in animal experimental studies, GV20, KI1, and ST36 were used. As for the dose, 4 studies below 3 W/cm² and 3 studies in the range of 0.625 to 5 W/cm² in clinical studies, and all studies did not exceed 5 W/cm². In animal experimental studies, 0.5 W/cm², 2 W/cm², 7.5 WW/cm², 15 W/cm², 10~20 W/cm² were used. In all three studies describing the penetration depth during irradiation, it was less than 1 cm. Conclusions : We suggest that focused ultrasound is an appropriate treatment tool for stimulating the acupoints to transfer heat energy. Future studies with rigorous and well-designed RCTs for various diseases will be required to ascertain the focused ultrasound stimulate acupoints or meridian sinews.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.117-127
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• 2015

Objectives : Most of pains are important symptoms caused by cancer transpered to spine. Harpagophyti Radix Pharmacopuncture is highly effective in reducing fever, pain, inflammation but was never used to reduce pain from cancer transpered to spine. So I intended to use Harpagophyti Radix Pharmacopuncture to control pain. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical application of Harpagophyti Radix Pharmacopuncture for Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer and Spinal Stenosis. Methods : We examined patient with Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer and Spinal Stenosis who admitted Jaseng Korean Medicine Hospital. The patient was treated by Korean Medicine treatment and Harpagophyti Radix Pharmacopuncture. This case was assessed by Numerical Rating Scale(NRS), Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index(ODI), Short-Form 36 Health Survey(SF-36), ROM(Range of Movement) and Special Test. Results : In this study, the patient's pain was controlled and NRS, ODI were decreased. I could identify the improvement in life quality from the positive change of SF-36 and also found out that treatment was successful from the improvement of ROM, Special test. Conclusions : Harpagophyti Radix Pharmacopuncture with Korean Medicine treatment for Bone Metastasis of Breast Cancer and Spinal Stenosis was proved to be useful to the pain relief and function recovery, but further research should take place for clear understanding of the exact amount of dosage and safety. Moreover it must be accompanied by long term follow up research.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.99-107
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was designed to analyze correlation in deficiency syndrome of kidney index and bone mineral density(BMD) in 130 osteoporosis patients. Methods : 130 women who were over 50 years old and visited in Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine, Cheonan Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013, answered the questionnaire consisting of symptom of deficiency syndrome of kidney, to determine the deficiency syndrome of kidney Index(DSKI). Grade of low back pain were measured in the visual analogue scale(VAS). BMD of the patients were determined by quantitative computerized tomography(QCT). Then, DSKI with BMD, VAS and age were analyzed by correlation analysis, variance analysis and Kruskal-Wallis test. Results : 1. Between DSKI and BMD, patients in total and in-their-50's group did not show a statistically significant result, but in-their-60's group and over-70 group showed a statistically significant result by correlation analysis. 2. Between DSKI and VAS, groups in total, in-the-50's, 60's, and over-70 groups showed a statistically significant result by correlation analysis. Conclusions : DSKI and BMD of the patients group who are over 60, DSKI and VAS of the patiens over 50 years old were associated with each other.

• Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.147-153
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• 2018

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Objectives: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical efficacy of postganglionic nerve block in symptomatic Schmorl nodules (SNs). Summary of Literature Review: SNs are common lesions that are often asymptomatic. In certain cases, SNs have been reported to cause severe axial back pain, thereby considerably impacting patients' quality of life. No consensus currently exists on the treatment of symptomatic SNs. Materials and Methods: From October 2015 to October 2017, a total of 21 patients with symptomatic SNs diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that did not respond to conservative treatment after 4 weeks were included in the study. All patients received postganglionic nerve block. We evaluated effective pain relief (improvement of back pain of more than 50% compared with before the intervention) and functional improvements, assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index scores obtained at 4 hours, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure. Results: Symptomatic SNs were more common at the L2-3 level, and the lower end plate was more commonly involved than the upper end plate. Eighteen of the 21 patients (85.7%) showed effective pain relief, and no deterioration was observed within the followup period. Throughout the follow-up period, the VAS remained significantly improved compared to before the procedure (p<0.05). Complications were not reported in any cases. Conclusions: Postganglionic nerve block for symptomatic SNs that do not respond to conservative treatment is a non-invasive modality for pain relief.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.172-179
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• 2017

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of traditional Korean medicine treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis as assessed by radiological criteria. Methods: This was an observational study of 122 patients who were diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis and admitted to Jaseng Hospital between January 2016 and June 2017. They were analyzed according to sex, age, cause of disease, disease stage, length of admission, type of stenosis, morphological grade, and dural sac cross-sectional area. All patients were treated with traditional Korean medicine. Patients were assessed with the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EQ-5D before and after treatment. Results: Regarding the distribution of the factors analyzed, these were of note: more females than males (1:3.52); and highest proportions were age more than 70 years (37.70%), cause of lumbar spinal stenosis unknown (67.21%), and subacute stage (42.62%). Comparing before and after treatment, the NRS score for low back and pelvic pain decreased from $6.14{\pm}1.71$ to $4.28{\pm}1.91$ (p < 0.001), and the NRS score for radiating pain and numbness decreased from $6.27{\pm}1.61$ to $2.02{\pm}1.54$ (p < 0.001). ODI decreased from $46.86{\pm}19.40$ to $33.63{\pm}18.66$ (p < 0.001), and gait-related ODI decreased from $3.34{\pm}1.23$ to $2.80{\pm}1.11$ (p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in improvement of the NRS, ODI, gait-related ODI, and EQ-5D for morphological grade and dural sac cross-sectional area. Conclusion: Traditional Korean medicine is effective treatment for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Even in patients with severe radiological findings, it is possible to reduce pain and improve quality of life.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.15-31
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• 2016

Objectives : The aim of this study is to review the instruments used to assess patient condition and the effects of Korean medical treatment for patients injured in traffic accidents in clinical studies in the Korean medical field published in South Korea. Methods : A literature study was performed, and clinical studies on patients injured in traffic accidents visiting Korean medical clinics or hospitals were examined. Data about chief complaints, tools used to assess either patients' condition or the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment, and time point of assessment were extracted. The studies were classified according to symptom. The use-frequency and the parent category of the assessment tools were also analyzed. Results : 78 studies were selected and classified into 5 categories based on the chief complaints, neck pain, lower back pain, headache, psychological symptoms and unspecified symptoms. Various scales were used to report the patient's pain severity, and functional or psychological status resulting from traffic accidents. Pain index, in particular VAS, was most frequently used and a few mechanical instruments and Korean medicinal assessment tools were mentioned. Conclusion : Most instruments used in Korean medicine clinical studies on patients injured in traffic accidents are self-reported tools. To assess both the patient's condition precisely and the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment on patients injured in traffic accidents, more appropriate and unified tools should be designed that consider pain, functional disability, psychological status and objective assessments measured by devices together.