요추 추간판 탈출증 환자의 한의치료 후 디스크 흡수율 비교 및 흡수에 영향을 주는 요인 분석 연구

Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of Korean Medicine treatment on lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and predictive factors associated with disc resorption by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods A retrospective study was carried out in 79 lumbar disc herniation patients who had visited Haeundae Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine. Patients' diagnosis was based on MRI. MRI was performed on two or more occasions and patients were received Korean Medicine treatment within the period. The volume of each herniated disc was measured three-dimensionally and patient characteristics, interval between MRIs, herniated disc level, disc herniation type, disc migration, intactness of posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), initial volume of herniated disc, modic change, disc resorption rate were statistically analyzed. Results The mean volumes of herniated discs before Korean Medicine treatment and after Korean Medicine treatment were 1,547.81±598.15 mm3 and 947.06±335.28 mm3, respectively. The mean resorption rate was 35.7±16.3%. Disc extent, intactness of PLL and initial volume of herniated discs were significantly correlated with resorption rate (p=0.003, p=0.001 and p=0.024, respectively). Conclusions Korean Medicine treatment is an effective conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation. Factors such as disc migration, intactness of PLL, initial volume of herniated disc have a significant association with disc resorption rate. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2018;28(4):33-41)