요추 추간판 탈출증으로 인한 하지 근력 저하 환자의 매선요법 포함 한방복합치료 증례 보고

초록

Objectives To report the clinical course of a patient with lower extremity motor defi- cit due to lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who was treated with integrative Korean med- icine, including Thread Embedding Acupuncture (TEA). Methods A 58-year-old male with right ankle plantar flexion weakness due to LDH was retrospectively reviewed. He received 10 outpatient sessions of integrative Korean medicine, including TEA. TEA (60 threads per session across the abdomen, lumbosacral region, and right lower limb) was performed 4 times, while pharmaco- puncture and conventional acupuncture were administered at every visit. Outcomes were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the modified Medical Research Council (MRC) grade. Results The NRS score for discomfort due to lower extremity weakness decreased from 7 to 1. The modified MRC grade for ankle plantar flexion improved from Grade 3 to Grade 5 (normal power) by the end of treatment, with restoration of toe-walking ability, and was maintained at near-normal level (Grade 5−) at the 6-month fol- low-up. No adverse events occurred. Conclusions Integrative Korean medicine, including TEA, may be a safe and effec- tive conservative treatment to restore motor and gait functions in LDH patients.

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