Chronic Neck Pain

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition including notable impairments in respiratory function. The diaphragm, serving dual roles in respiration and spinal stability, is intricately linked to the cervical spine through fascial, neurophysiological, and biomechanical connections. However, to date, none has investigated the diaphragm function in patients with CNP. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the diaphragm function, respiratory muscle strength, and pulmonary function in patients with CNP...

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) and altered cervical lordotic curvatures are common spine displacements often associated with neck pain and disability. Two primary categories for determining FHP exist: radiographic and postural measurements. Methods: This study investigated the correlation between the craniovertebral angle (CVA), the radiographically measured C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and cervical lordosis (absolute rotation angle: ARA C2-C7) in a sample of participants with chronic myofascial pain (CMP)...

(1) Background: Neck pain intensity, psychosocial factors, and physical function have been identified as potential predictors of neck disability. Machine learning algorithms have shown promise in classifying patients based on their neck disability status. So, the current study was conducted to identify predictors of neck disability in patients with neck pain based on clinical findings using machine learning algorithms. (2) Methods: Ninety participants with chronic neck pain took part in the study. Demographic characteristics in addition to neck pain intensity, the neck disability index, cervical spine contour, and surface electromyographic characteristics of the axioscapular muscles were measured...

(1) Background : This systematic review and meta-analysis explores the effectiveness of telerehabilitation in patients suffering from chronic neck pain, specifically on pain and disability. The research delves into an area of growing significance within the realm of healthcare, aiming to understand the impact of digital interventions on the rehabilitation process for individuals with prolonged neck pain. (2) Methods : The comprehensive review encompasses a wide array of studies evaluating the collective outcomes of numerous trials focused on telerehabilitation strategies...

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) caused drastic changes in people's lifestyle that affected TMD characteristics through its physical and psychological influences. The aim of this study was to define the clinical and psychological characteristics of a large group of well-defined TMD patients and seek their differences between before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to establish points of care to be emphasized in the post-pandemic era. METHODS: TMD patients diagnosed by the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) aged ≥ 18 were analyzed...

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) is a common adolescent hip disorder that can lead to complex proximal femur deformities and devastating consequences such as avascular necrosis, femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and early-onset osteoarthritis. Existing surgical techniques are often insufficient to fully address the constellation of multiplanar deformities in patients with severe SCFE. Therefore, the McMaster Osteotomy, a novel intertrochanteric proximal femur osteotomy, was developed to improve anatomic correction and hip mechanics in patients with chronic SCFE...

Cervical-spine sensorimotor control is associated with chronicity and recurrence of neck pain (NP). Tests used to measure sensorimotor impairments lack consistency in studied parameters. Interpretation is often based on either a handful or numerous parameters, without considering their possible interrelation. Different aspects of motor-control could be studied with different parameters, but this has not yet been addressed. The aim of this study was to determine if different parameters of cervical position (JPE) and movement (Butterfly) sense tests represent distinct components of motor-control strategies in patients with chronic NP...

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain is common among Japanese individuals, but few receive treatment. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture using press needles in the self-treatment of chronic neck pain and preliminarily identify the characteristics of patients likely to benefit from this treatment. METHODS: Fifty participants with chronic neck pain were allocated to receive either press needle or placebo treatment for 3 weeks. The visual analogue scale (VAS) and motion-related VAS (M-VAS) scores for neck pain, Neck Disability Index score, and pressure pain threshold were measured at baseline, after the first session, at the end of the last session, and 1 week after the last session...

BACKGROUND: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder, the most common type being non-specific chronic neck pain. It usually involves postural or mechanical causes. In Individuals with neck pain, a notable prevalence of visual complaints has been predominantly reported. It can be linked to the mismatch in the cervical afferent output. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effect of oculomotor exercises on neck pain, neck disability, gaze stability and visual complaints among individuals with non-specific chronic neck pain and associated visual complaints...

BACKGROUND: Mechanical neck pain is common among young female university students and can lead to disability and reduced physical activity. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Kinesio taping (KT) to mechanical cervical traction (MCT) on young female university students with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Sixty young female university students with mechanical neck pain participated in this study; their ages ranged from 19 years to 23 years...

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness of McKenzie neck exercise and cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) exercise on strength and endurance of deep neck flexor (DNF) muscles, pain, disability, and craniovertebral angle (CVA) in individuals with chronic neck pain. METHODS: Forty individuals with chronic neck pain were randomly allocated to the McKenzie neck or CCF exercise group. Each group performed exercises at home daily. The strength and endurance of DNF muscles were measured at baseline, immediately after the first exercise session, and each week follow-up for six weeks...

Chronic Otitis Media (COM) with complications is a common clinical entity in Otorhinolaryngology, but advances in antibiotics and surgical techniques have reduced complication rates and mortality. Management warrants surgical disease clearance, the choice of surgical approach of which may vary. Endaural approach is a less commonly performed approach in view of its complexity and surgical expertise. This case report presents a 13-year-old female with COM-squamous active type with cerebellar abscess, managed with Lempert's endaural mastoidectomy...

Objective: To study the difference of postoperative efficacy between two-person three-hand ear endoscopy and microscopic tympanoplasty in patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, and to explore the advantages and disadvantages of two-person three-hand ear endoscopy. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent tympanoplasty in the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of Hunan People's Hospital from April 2019 to March 2023, and they were divided into 2 groups with 50 cases each according to random number table method...

Pyogenic spinal infections (PSI) have an incidence of 0.5-2.2 cases per 100,000 population, though diagnosis can be delayed by up to three months. The incidence of Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteremia is rare, occurring in 0.22-0.34 cases per 100,000 population, whilst its implication in spinal infections is rarer still. A man in his 60s with a background of chronic lower back pain presented to the emergency department with a two-week history of worsening back pain associated with fever and difficulty voiding...

BACKGROUND: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is a common public health problem that affects daily living activities and quality of life. There is biomechanical interdependence between the neck and scapula. Studies have shown that shoulder blade function might be related to chronic neck pain. We therefore evaluated the effects of scapular targeted therapy on neck pain and function in patients with CNP. METHODS: Databases, including MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE (via Ovid), Ovid, Web of Science, and Scopus, were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials published in English investigating treatment of the scapula for CNP before July 16, 2023...

A Chiari I malformation is a frequently encountered anomaly of the posterior fossa, occurring in a notable percentage of the population. It often coexists with various other craniovertebral junction abnormalities, albeit less frequently with Klippel-Feil syndrome. Interestingly, the majority of individuals with Chiari I malformation do not exhibit any symptoms. We present a rare case of a 25-year-old male with chronic neck and occipital pain, along with progressive weakness and sensory disturbances in all four limbs, urinary urgency, and elevated left shoulder...

A 25-year-old man with a medical record of migraines presented with progressively worsening episodes of dizziness and constant right-sided neck and facial pain, each lasting for hours over a month. The increased pain frequency and lack of response to abortive treatment were not typical of his migraines. Investigation for an alternate cause of the patient's symptoms with an MRI revealed evidence of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Following TN treatment and complete resolution of symptoms, the diagnosis was confirmed...

BACKGROUND: Neck pain has been found to affect the somatosensory system, which can lead to impaired balance control. To assess the balance of patients with neck pain and other conditions, the balance error scoring system (BESS) is commonly used as a static balance measurement tool. However, this tool is seldom used in Thailand due to its English language format. OBJECTIVE: To translate and determine the content, convergent validity, and reliability of a Thai version of the BESS tool...

OBJECTIVE: To identify, critically appraise, and quantitatively synthesize current randomized controlled trials to compare the effects of virtual reality and dose-matched conventional exercises in patients with chronic neck pain. LITERATURE SEARCH: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for studies published prior to April 15, 2023. The search strategies combined controlled vocabularies and title/abstract keywords on search themes of virtual reality and neck pain...

Arthrodesis of the knee joint has proven effective in the treatment of chronic periprosthetic infections as well as in cases of previous multiple revision surgery after total knee replacement with insufficiency of the extensor apparatus. In this case report, we report on the use of a custom-made intramedullary arthrodesis nail of the knee joint following multiple revisions due to aseptic loosening after total knee replacement. Surgery was performed according to preoperative computerized planning. Microbiological and histological samples obtained intraoperatively showed no evidence of infection...