• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.173-189
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of specific head positions on the mandibular rotational torque movements in maximum mouth opening, protrusion and lateral excursion. Thirty dental students without any sign or symptom of temporomandibular disorders(TMDs) were included as a control group and 90 patients with TMDs were selected and examined by routine diagnostic procedure for TMDs including radiographs and were classified into 3 subgroups : disc displacement with reduction, disc displacement without reduction, and degenerative joint disease. Mandibular rotational torque movements were observed in four head postures: upright head posture(NHP), upward head posture(UHP), downward head posture(DHP), and forward head posture(FHP). For UHP, the head was inclined 30 degrees upward: for DHP, the head was inclined 30 degrees downward: for FHP, the head was positioned 4cm forward. These positions were adjusted with the use of cervical range-of-motion instrumentation(CROM, Performance Attainment Inc., St. Paul, U.S.A.). Mandibular rotational torque movements were monitored with the Rotate program of BioPAK system (Bioresearch Inc., WI, U.S.A.). The rotational torque movements in frontal and horizontal plane during mandibular border movement were recorded with two parameters: frontal rotational torque angle and horizontal rotational torque angle. The data obtained was analyzed by the SAS/Stat program. The obtained results were as follows : 1. The control group showed significantly larger mandibular rotational angles in UHP than those in DHP and FHP during maximum mouth opening in both frontal and horizontal planes. Disc displacement with reduction group showed significantly larger mandibular rotational angles in DHP and FHP than those in NHP during lateral excursion to the affected and non-affected sides in both frontal and horizontal planes(p<0.05). 2. Disc displacement without reduction group showed significantly larger mandibular rotational angles in FHP than those in any other head postures during maximum mouth opening as well as lateral excursion to the affected and non-affected sides in both frontal and horizontal planes. Degenerative joint disease group showed significantly larger mandibular rotational angles in FHP than those in any other head postures during maximum mouth opening, protrusion and lateral excursion in both frontal and horizontal planes(p<0.05). 3. In NHP, mandibular rotational angle of the control group was significantly larger than that of any other patient subgroups. Mandibular rotational angle of disc displacement with reduction group was significantly larger than that of disc displacement without reduction group during maximum mouth opening in the frontal plane. Mandibular rotational angle of disc displacement without reduction group was significantly larger than that of disc displacement with reduction group or degenerative joint disease group during maximum mouth opening in the horizontal plane(p<0.05). 4. In NHP, mandibular rotational angles of disc displacement without reduction group were significantly larger than those of the control group or disc displacement with reduction group during lateral excursion to the affected side in both frontal and horizontal planes. Mandibular rotational angle of disc displacement without reduction group was significantly smaller than that of the control group during lateral excursion to the non-affected side in frontal plane. Mandibular rotational angle of disc displacement without reduction group was significantly larger than that of disc displacement with reduction group during lateral excursion to the non-affected side in the horizontal plane(p<0.05). 5. In NHP, mandibular rotational angle of the control group was significantly smaller than that of disc displacement with reduction group or disc displacement without reduction group during protrusion in the frontal plane. Mandibular rotational angle of disc displacement without reduction group was significantly larger than that of the disc displacement with reduction group or degenerative joint disease group during protrusion in the horizontal plane. Mandibular rotational angle of the control group was significantly smaller than that of disc displacement without reduction group or degenerative joint disease group during protrusion in the horizontal plane(p<0.05). 6. In NHP, disc displacement without reduction group and degenerative joint disease group showed significantly larger mandibular rotational angles during lateral excursion to the affected side than during lateral excursion to the non-affected side in both frontal and horizontal planes(p<0.05). The findings indicate that changes in head posture can influence mandibular rotational torque movements. The more advanced state is a progressive stage of TMDs, the more influenced by FHP are mandibular rotational torque movements of the patients with TMDs.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.235-243
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of flexion-distraction spinal manipulation on intervertebral height, pain, spine mobility in patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease. Design: Randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest control group design Methods: A total of 96 participants with degenerative disc disease participated in the study and were randomly divided into two groups. Both groups received intervention for 3-5 minutes a day. The experimental group (n=48) underwent flexion-distraction spinal manipulation for 3-5 minutes, and the control group (n=48) was maintained in the same position as the experimental group for 5 minutes without any intervention. The intervertebral height was measured by computed tomography, pain was assessed using visual analog scale, and the spine in flexion mobility was measured using the finger-to-floor distance test and passive straight leg raise test. Pre-test and post-test measurements were obtained. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in intervertebral height, degree of pain, and spinal mobility (p<0.05). The intervertebral height increased from 6.32±1.90 to 6.93±1.85 mm (p<0.05), lower back pain decreased from 69.17±13.35 mm to 48.48±12.20 mm (p<0.05), lumbar spine mobility changed from 17.37±4.49 to 12.69±4.34 cm (p<0.05), and passive straight leg raise test range increased from 46.94±13.05° to 56.01±12.20° (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that flexion-distraction spinal manipulation could be an effective treatment for decreasing pain and improving function in patients with degenerative disc disease.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2006

The purpose of this study lies in finding out the effect that variation of pain and body deflection posture has an influence on the static spinal stabilization after having performed spinal stabilization exercise making degenerative disc disease patients an object over 8 weeks using $CENTAUR^{(R)}$, 3-D spinal stabilization training implement. Subjects : 61 of DDD patients were made as an object of this study (mean age: 45.46 years, SD: ${\pm}12.78$, range: 16-68), their average height was 161.87cm, average weight 60.70kg, 12 males and 49 females were involved. Methods: 8 various investigations were performed and varied values were compared with reinvestigation done after having exercised 8 weeks using 3-D $CENTAUR^{(R)}$. We used VAS(Visual Analog Scale) in order to see the variation of pain intensity, MOS(Modified Oswestry Scale) in order to see activities of daily life. Results VAS was lessened from 7.50 to 2.71, limitation of routine life(MOS) from 20.26 to 9.32, there were remarkable differences statistically(p<0.05). As a result of muscular investigation for static spinal stabilization by 8 variations of body deflection, muscular strength were all increased and there were remarkable differences statistically(p<0.05). Conclusions : It has been turned out that pain and limitation of daily life was lessened as a result of making 61 of degenerative disc disease patients exercised 8 weeks using $CENTAUR^{(R)}$, 3-D spinal stabilization training implement, deep muscular power was increased. Thus it has been turned out that 3-D lumbar stabilization exercise has an effect on the spinal muscles strengthening and alleviation of their pain for degenerative disc disease.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2013

Objective : There are many cases in which degenerative changes are prevalent in both the cervical and lumbar spine, and the relation between both spinal degenerative findings of MRI is controversial. The authors analyzed the prevalence of abnormal findings on MRI, and suggested a model to explain the relationship between cervical and lumbar disc in asymptomatic Korean subjects. Methods : We performed 3 T MRI sagittal scans on 102 asymptomatic subjects (50 men and 52 women) who visited our hospital between the ages of 14 and 82 years (mean age 46.3 years). Scores pertaining to herniation (HN), annular fissure (AF), and nucleus degeneration (ND) were analyzed. The total scores for the cervical and lumbar spine were analyzed using correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression with various predictive parameters, including weight, height, sex, age, smoking, occupation, and sedentary fashion. Results : The correlation coefficients of HN, AF, and ND were 0.44, 0.50, and 0.59, respectively. We made the best model for relationship by using multiple linear regression. Conclusion : The results of the current study showed that there was a close relationship between the cervical score (CS) and lumbar score (LS). In addition, the correlation between CS and LS, as well as the LS value itself, can be altered by other explanatory variables. Although not absolute, there was also a linear relationship between degenerative changes of the cervical and lumbar spine. Based on these results, it can be inferred that degenerative changes of the lumbar spine will be useful in predicting the degree of cervical spine degeneration in an actual clinical setting.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.9-15
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate, in patients with degenerative disc disease (DDD), the efficacy of using spinal stabilizing exercises for the reversal? of atrophy of the multifidus and psoas major, reductions in pain and disability, and for increases in paraspinal muscle strength. Methods: Nineteen patients diagnosed with DDD participated for 10 weeks in a spinal stabilization exercise program. Pain and disability were measured before and after exercise using, respectively, a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Paraspinal muscular strength in four directions was evaluated using CENTAUR. Both before and after exercise we used computed tomography (CT) too measure cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of both the left and right multifidus and the psoas major at the upper & lower endplate of L4. Results: After 10 weeks of a spinal stabilization exercise program, pain was significantly decreased from $5.7{\pm}0.9$ to $2.5{\pm}0.9$ (p<0.01); the ODI score decreased from $16.7{\pm}4.9$ to $7.3{\pm}3.1$. Paraspinal muscle strength was significantly increased (p<0.01) and the CSAs of the left and right multifidus and psoas major muscles were significantly increased (p<0.01). Conclusion: Spinal stabilization exercise is effective in reversing atrophy in DDD patients, in reducing pain and disability, and in increasing paraspinal muscle strength. It is an effective treatment foro aiding rehabilitation in these cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.599-603
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• 2000

Objectives : In lumbar spine surgery it is observed that the ligamentum flavum(LF) is bilayered, and the inner layers can be left in situ to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries. The purposes of this study are to investigate ultrastructural differences between the inner and outer layer of lumbar LF by electron microscopic examination, and to see whether these differences are, if present, more prominent in chronic degenerative lumbar spinal disorders as compared with acute lumbar disc diseases. Methods : Biopsy specimens of LF were obtained from nine patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, five of them for degenerative spinal stenosis and four for acute disc herniation. During the surgery the outer layers of LF were carefully dissected from the inner layer, and four pieces($1{\times}1{\times}1-mm$) of biopsy samples were made from each layer. These were examined with electron microscope for the morphologies and the contents of the elastic and the collagen fibers. Results : The outer layer of LF showed elastic fiber degeneration as evidenced and decreased fiber content, while the inner layer was relatively preserved in both cases of degenerative spinal stenosis and acute disc herniation. The ultrastructural changes of the layers were more evident in the outer layer. Conclusion : With these observations the authors believe that the LF degeneration may occur mainly in the outer layer, and that this fact may aid in making the rationale for using the inner layer as physiologic barrier to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.363-368
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• 2006

Objective : Little is known about the comprehensive molecular and biological mechanism on the development of the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Many kinds of matrix metalloproteinase[MMP] initiate the degradation of the extracellular matrix including several kinds of collagens and proteoglycans. We compared molecular and immunohistochemical features of degenerated intervertebral disc and normal counterparts in order to investigate the role of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9. Methods : We have evaluated MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 expression in 30 surgically resected lumbar disc from degenerative disc disease patients and 5 normal control cases. RT-PCR[reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction] and immunohistochemistry were performed. Results : By RT-PCR, normal tissue samples showed merely scant expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 mRNA, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. mRNA amplifications were detected in 60%, 63.3%, 70%, 53.3% cases By immunohistochemistry, normal tissue samples showed minimal protein expression of MMP-1, 2, 3, 9, but degenerated disc samples revealed more pronounced expression. Protein expressions were detected in 73.3%, 63.3%, 76.7%, 63.3% cases. Both the mRNA amplification and protein overexpression rates were significantly higher in degenerated disc than in the normal tissue. Concordance between both the mRNA amplification and protein expressions of MMP-1, 3, 9 were not observed, but there is well correlation in MMP-2 expression. Conclusion : We concluded that the over-expressions of the MMP-1, 2, 3, 9 may contribute to the development of degeneration of the intervertebral disc.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.399-408
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• 2005

In the progression of the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder(TMD), not only deformation and perforation of disc occur. But also fibrotic adhesion and inflammatory changes to the retrodiscal tissue can be seen in addition to the condylar degenerative change (e.g. osteoarthritis). However, the correct diagnosis,?planning for appropriate treatment, and prediction of prognosis are limited, because there are no means to stage the progression of the disorder. In this study relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue in MRI and the synovial fluid concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and Interleukin-6(IL-6) in the 23 temporomandibular joints(TMJ), from 17 patients with TMD were evaluated as a possible diagnostic marker. The relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue was referenced to brain gray matter with same region of interest(ROI) size. The concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and IL-6 were evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The collected data were compared with condylar degenerative change, joint effusion and disc position observed in MRI. The relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue was increased significantly when degenerative changes were present. In addition, there was significantly high signal intensity in the presence of a disc displaced without reduction. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased when condylar degenerative change was no observed. And there were no changes in the levels of IL-6 according to disc position and joint effusion measurement. Moreover, there were no significant relevance between the concentration of total MMP-2 and active MMP-9 in synovial fluid, relative to degenerative changes in the mandibular condyle, to joint effusion, and to disc position observed on MRI images. In conclusion, the relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue can be regarded as a mean of diagnosing the procession of TMD in a non-invasive manner. But more additional studies are required for the levels of MMP-2. MMP-9, and IL-6 to determine their potentials as a diagnostic marker for TMD.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.283-293
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• 2021

Degenerative disc disease has traditionally been thought of as low back pain caused by changes in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrous, in recent studies, however, changes in the upper and lower endplates cause degeneration of the disc, resulting in mechanical pressure, inflammatory reactions and low back pain. Recently, the bone marrow of the vertebral body-endplate-nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrous were considered as a single unit, and the relationship was explained. Once the endplate is damaged, it eventually aggravates the degeneration of the bone marrow, nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus. In this process, the compression force of the annulus fibrosus increases, and an inflammatory reaction occurs due to inflammatory mediators. Hence, the sinuvertebral nerves and the basivertebral nerves are stimulated to cause back pain. If these changes become chronic, degenerative changes such as Modic changes occur in the bone marrow in the vertebrae. Finally, in the case of degenerative intervertebral disc disease, the bone marrow of the vertebral body-endplate-nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrous need to be considered as a single unit. Therefore, when treating patients with chronic low back pain, it is necessary to consider the changes in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus and a lesion of the endplate.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.203-213
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was carried out to evaluate correlation between Bone Mineral Density(BMD) and degenerative lumbar disease in postmenopausal low back pain patients. Methods : 69 postmenopausal patients with low back pain were examined. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate degenerative lumbar disease and bone mineral density of lumbar spine was measured by Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Data were analyzed by Pearson's Linear Correlation Coefficient. Results : In postmenopausal patients with low back pain, BMD(T-score, Z-score) had negative correlation with the grade of intervertebral disc herniation and positive correlation with weight. Other lumbar diseases including Spinal stenosis, Spondylolisthesis and Facet joint arthrosis didn't have significant correlation with BMD. Conclusion : In postmenopausal patients with low back pain, BMD(T-score, Z-score) had inverse relationship with the grade of intervertebral disc herniation.