상부요추와 하부요추 단분절 추간판 탈출증 환자의 임상적 특성과 한방치료 효과 비교연구

Objectives Upper lumbar disc herniation (LDH) (L1/2, L2/3) has specific anatomical characteristics and different outcome after conventional treatment compared to lower LDH (L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical features and effects of korean medical treatment of upper LDH between lower LDH. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data collected from 121 patients who was had admitted at the Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine from June 1st, 2014 to August 31th, 2018. The patients who had treated at L1/2, L2/3 level LDH were grouped and compared with those treated at the L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 level. We reviewed the patient characteristics such as age, the positive rate of Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR test), the presence or absence of previous lumbar surgery. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were evaluated at adimission and discharge. Results Mean age was significantly higher at upper LDH group and positive rate of SLR test was higher at lower LDH group. There was no significant difference of gender and previous lumbar surgery between two groups. Each group had a significant improvement of NRS, ODI scores. But between two groups, there was no significant difference of NRS, ODI scores. Conclusions Upper LDH group was older than lower LDH group. SLR test was useful tool to exclude upper LDH. Korean medical treatment was significantly effective to both upper and lower LDH groups. Further well designed prospective comparative studies are needed. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2018;28(4):43-50)