Disk Dr. Clinical Studies

Clinical studies for Disk Dr. back support belt, back decompression device

These studies have been carried out at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital by professors Byungjik Kim and Shinwoo Park and their teams.

I. Introduction

This study into the performance of the efficacy of Disk Dr. after use by patients with low back pain has evaluated pain levels, radiographic changes and strength of both flexor and extensor at the lumbar vertebrae by using an isokinetic evaluation device. 

II. The subject and Methods of study

1.Patient Profile

22 patients with acute or chronic lumbago; age ranging from 19 to 58 with average age of 44. 8 patients in the age range of 50 to 59 years, 9 men and 13 women, 9 patients with herniated disc, 9 patients with acute lumbago and 4 with chronic lumbago.

2.Methods of the study

Firstly, Macnab's criteria were used to examine changes of the pain. Secondly, radiographic imaging was used to analyze side views of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, comparing with those photographed before wearing Disk Dr., and thirdly, a Cybex 6000 Trunk Extension Flexion (TEF) Unit was used to measure and analyze muscular strength of the flexor and the extensor at the lumbar vertebrae.

lll. Results of the study
1. Changes in Pain States

Macnab's criteria was used to evaluate the pain. "Excellent" grade is a state without pain, without any restrictions on movements and that makes it possible to get back to normal workings. "Good" grade is a state with pain sometimes, but possible to get back to normal workings. "Fair" grade means slight progress and "Poor" is just like as it is written. As a result, 85% of the patients have taken great favourable turns within 3 days showing 3 "Excellent" and 15 "Good" among the total of 22 patients.

2.Radiographic changes

According to the results from comparing x-rays of side views of lumbar vertebrae and sacral vertebrae before and after the application of Disk Dr. in 12-patient cases, the anterior curvature of lumbar vertebrae has been increased and he interval of intervertebral disk at the 4th and 5th segment of lumbar vertebrae has been broadened by 3 mm average. 

3.The evaluation of uniform motion

We have measured the muscular strength of lumbar vertebrae of randomly selected three persons among 12 patients by using Cybex 6000 TEF unit. According to the results from comparing the graphs measured before and after the application of disk Dr. about the total joule at 60 angular velocity, maximum couple, maximum couple proportion to the weight and average power, we decided that disk Dr. was useful to reinforce the muscular strength as it shoved in the following graphs that the extensor muscle power remained longer. These examinations were made for two days in consideration of the muscular fatigue. From this result, we could say that the radiographic increase of the anterior curvature of lumbar vertebrae was caused not only by physical body softness but also by strengthening the muscle power. 

lV. Conclusion

As a result, 85% of the patients have taken great favourable turns shoving 3 "Excellent" and 15 "Good" among the total of 22 patients. After the application of Disk Doctor, we could confirm the fact that there was physical body softness between the segments of the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae and the motion of extensor lasted longer. These results were obtained from the various examinations about the efficiency of Disk Dr. presumed to play a efficient role in treating the acute & chronic lumbago patients. 

V. Efficacy and effect of Disk Dr.

Disk Dr. is presumed to have effects on the acute and chronic lumbago caused by following factors:

• The acute & chronic sprain of lumbar vertebrae
• Protruded intervertebral disc
• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
• Spinal stenosis