• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제67권2호
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• pp.217-226
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• 2024

Objective : The efficacy of sciatic nerve decompression via transgluteal approach for entrapment of the sciatic nerve at the greater sciatic notch, called piriformis syndrome, and factors affecting the surgical outcome were analyzed. Methods : The outcome of pain reduction was analyzed in 81 patients with sciatic nerve entrapment who underwent decompression through a transgluteal approach. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The degree of pain reduction was analyzed using a numerical rating scale-11 (NRS-11) score and percent pain relief before and after last follow-up following surgery. Success was defined by at least 50% reduction in pain measured via NRS-11. To assess the degree of subjective satisfaction, a 10-point Likert scale was used. In addition, demographic characteristics, anatomical variations, and variations in surgical technique involving sacrotuberous ligamentectomy were analyzed as factors that affect the surgical outcome. Results : At a follow-up of 17.5±12.5 months, sciatic nerve decompression was successful in 50 of 81 patients (61.7%), and the pain relief rate was 43.9±34.17. Subjective improvement based on a 10-point Likert scale was 4.90±3.43. Among the factors that affect the surgical outcome, only additional division of the sacrotuberous ligament during piriformis muscle resection played a significant role. The success rate was higher in the scarotuberous ligementectomy group (79.4%) than in the non-resection group (42.6%), resulting in statistically significant difference based on average NRS-11 score, percent pain relief, and subjective improvement (p<0.05, independent t-test). Conclusion : Sciatic nerve decompression is effective in pain relief in chronic sciatica due to sciatic nerve entrapment at the greater sciatic notch. Its effect was further enhanced by circumferential dissection of the sciatic nerve based on the compartment formed by the piriformis muscle and the sacrotuberous ligament in the greater sciatic notch.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.1071-1082
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using Korean medicine treatment with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. Case presentation: We used Korean medicine treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) to treat a hospitalized patient with cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. To evaluate the treatment, we used the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). The degree of cold hypersensitivity of the hands and feet was also evaluated using evaluation paper. The generic health status was measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scale. The 31-year-old female underwent 13 days of inpatient treatment. Her pattern identification was that both hands and feet are cold (BiYangHeo) types. The treatments were herbal medicine and acupuncture. She took Gyejigabuja-tang for 13 days. She also received acupuncture for 20 minutes twice a day at LI11 (曲池), L14 (合谷), TE5 (外關) on her hands, LR3 (太衝), SP6 (三陰交), SP9 (陰陵泉) ST36 (足三里), GB41 (足臨泣) on Feet, GV4 (命門), GV3 (腰陽關), BL23 (腎兪), BL24 (氣海兪), BL25 (大腸兪), and BL26 (關元兪) on the low back. After 2 weeks of treatment, the NRS scale of her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet symptoms dropped from NRS 7 to NRS 3, and her low back pain dropped from NRS 6 to NRS 3. Her cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet evaluation paper score decreased from 64 to 32, and her EQ-5D increased from 0.487 to 0.681. After the end of treatment, continued symptom improvements and no significant side effects were confirmed. Results: These findings suggest that Korean medical treatment (Gyejigabuja-tang, acupuncture) may be effective for treating cold hypersensitivity of hands and feet with lumbar spinal herniated intervertebral disc. The NRS, evaluation paper, and EQ-5D scores improved after treatment, with no side effects.

• 척추신경추나의학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.151-157
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• 2013

Objects : This study is a report on treatment effect of the case that treated by using of Shinbaro pharmacopunture and acupuncture to plantar fasciitis patients. Methods : The four patients diagnosed with Plantar fasciitis were treated by using of Shinbaro pharmacopunture and acupuncture, Algometer Pressure and Numeric rating scale(NRS) were used as the evaluation tool of treatment effect. Results : Shinbaro pharmacopunture and acupuncture showed improvement of symptoms for all patient groups and brought about significant change on numerical value of Algometer Pressure and Numeric rating scale(NRS). Conclusions : The result shows that Shinbaro pharmacopunture and acupuncture can be effective treatment to Plantar fasciitis. Merely later, further study is needed.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.967-975
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• 2021

This study investigated the case of a nineteen-year-old female patient with chronic nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension, who was diagnosed with CNVS and Spleen-Qi deficiency. Subjective symptoms were recorded with the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) every morning, and the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) was used on the days of admission and discharge. For eleven days following admission, she took Bojungikki-tang-gagam and received acupuncture and moxibustion therapy. After three days of treatment, her nausea and vomiting ceased, and abdominal distension improved from NRS 3 to 0 after seven days of treatment. The GSRS score for the specific symptoms improved from 3 to 2; however, the total score remained largely unchanged (from 20 to 21). This case suggests that Korean medical treatment may improve CNVS.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.264-274
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• 2024

Background: Radiofrequency ablation is an effective treatment modality in the symptomatic treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation of the superomedial and inferomedial genicular nerves (2 branches) with the superolateral, superomedial, and inferomedial genicular nerves (3 branches) and to show whether the 2-branch procedure is inferior to the 3-branch procedure. Methods: This study is a prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical study. Eligible participants were randomized into 2 groups: group A, which applied the procedure to the superomedial and inferomedial genicular nerves, and group B, which applied it to the superomedial, superolateral and inferomedial genicular nerves. Pain was evaluated with the numerical rating scale, quality of life with the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and disability with the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index before, and at 1 and 3 months after the procedure. Results: A total of 41 patients were included. There were no differences between the groups except for the SF-36 physical health sub-score at baseline. A significant improvement was seen in the numeric rating scale (NRS) score, SF-36 sub-scores, WOMAC Index total, as well as pain and physical function scores in both groups, though no significant difference was detected between the groups during follow-up. Conclusions: Although we were unable to establish the noninferiority of conventional radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) applied to 2 branches to CRFA applied to 3 branches, in this trial, significant and similar improvement was observed in NRS, WOMAC total, pain, and physical function and SF-36 scores in both groups.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.305-314
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• 2016

Objective: The present study reports on one patient diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome.Method: One patient was treated by Sukjiyanggeun-tang, electroacupuncture, and physical therapy. Any improvement in symptoms was assessed by measuring changes in motor grade; scores in the modified Barthel index, the disability scale, and the numerical rating scale (NRS) of lower back pain; and ambulatory condition during hospitalization.Results: After 48 days of treatment, the patient's symptoms of Guillain-Barre syndrome showed improvement.Conclusions: Traditional Korean medical treatment appeared to be effective in reducing Guillain-Barre syndrome symptoms, but more research is required to confirm these results.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.746-759
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• 2021

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of a combination of Korean medicine and immunotherapy on three papillary thyroid cancer patients following thyroidectomy. Methods: The three patients who underwent thyroidectomy received Korean medical treatments, including acupuncture, moxibustion, pharmacopuncture, and immunotherapy. To evaluate the patients, symptoms were measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale (KPS). Blood tests, including thyroid function tests, were conducted during treatment. Results: After treatment, postoperative pain and general weakness were gradually alleviated. Conclusions: These cases provide evidence that treatment with a combination of Korean medicine and immunotherapy can have substantial benefits for postoperative complications following thyroidectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.69-73
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• 1998

Background: The postoperative pain in children and adolescents is most commonly managed by intramuscular injections of NSAIDs or opioids. This approach may result in fluctuating plasma drug levels and cycles of pain, comfort, and sedation. Patient-controlled analgesia(PCA) is a method of analgesia administration that consists of a computer-driven pump with a button that the patient may press to administer a small dose of analgesic drug. Materials & Methods: Forty ASA physical status 1 or 2 children and adolescents were divided into two groups. In the PRN group, patients received intramuscularly diclofenac(Valentac$^{(R)}$) on a p.r.n. basis. The PCA group patients received a mixture of nalbuphine and ketorolac by WalkMed$^{(R)}$PCA infusor. Analgesic efficacy was evaluated with NRS(numerical rating scale) and Faces Pain Rating Scale. The side effects were evaluated. Results: The patients of PCA group had less pain than those of PRN group. Complications were similar in both group. Conclusions: PCA with nalbuphine and ketorolac is a safe and effective methods of pain relief in children and adolescents after surgery, and is better accepted than intramuscular injections.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.151-160
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• 2020

Background: Blood stasis (BS) is commonly used for pattern identification in traumatic injuries, including traffic accidents (TAs). Various studies have identified the efficacy of Korean medicine treatments for TA patients, but studies focusing on the BS-based herbal medicine (BSHM), including Tongdo-san (TDS), are rare. Methods: This was a single-center, prospective observational study, conducted from August 24^th, 2018 to December 27^th, 2018, which included 40 TA patients. Participants underwent routine Korean medicine treatments including acupuncture, electronic moxibustion, cupping, physical therapy, and herbal medicine. In the herbal medicine treatment, participants took BSHM with more than 3 days including taking TDS. The primary outcome measures were the scores from a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) and numerical rating scale (NRS). Secondary outcome measures included scores from EuroQol-5 dimension (EQ-5D) and EQ-VAS questionnaires, the BS and cold/heat indices, and safety assessments. Results: There were significant improvements in the VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS scores, and BS index after treatment. In the sub-analysis, VAS, NRS, EQ-5D, and EQ-VAS scores were higher in groups with a higher BS index. The moderate and severe BS index groups showed more improvement than the minor BS index group, and there was a significant difference in the EQ-5D scores. There was no significant differences observed in cold/heat index groups scores. Conclusion: BS is associated with TA-related symptoms. BSHM, including TDS, may significantly reduce BS, pain, and discomfort.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.760-767
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• 2019

Objective: This study reports the efficacy of using integrative Korean medicine treatments for a patient with facial paralysis and accompanying trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: A 45-year-old male patient with left side facial palsy and facial pain due to Bell's palsy with trigeminal neuralgia was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and cupping for 18 days. The treatment effect was evaluated by measuring the scores for the numerical rating scale (NRS) of facial pain, the House-Brackmann scale, and the Yanagihara scale. Results: After the hospital treatment, the patient's facial pain NRS score was decreased, and the House-Brackmann scale and Yanagihara scale scores improved after the administration of the Korean medicine treatments. Conclusions: The integrative Korean medicine treatments appeared to be effective in treating facial nerve palsy and associated trigeminal neuralgia.