Analysis of Clinical Pattern of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Cervical and Cervico—Thoracic Regions of the Spine

Abstract

Background: Cervical spine disorders (CSDs) are a common cause of neck pain. Proper diagnosis is of great importance in planning the management of a patient with neck pain. Hence, the aim of this study is to provide an overview of the clinical pattern of early-stage functional disorders affecting the cervical and cervico-thoracic regions of the spine, considering the age and sex of the subjects. Methods: Two hundred adult volunteers were included in the study. Manual examination of segments C0/C1-Th3/Th4 was performed according to the methodology of the Katenborn–Evjenth manual therapy concept and the spine curvatures were assessed (cervical lordosis and thoracic kyphosis). Results: The most common restricted movement was lateral flexion to the left, and the least disturbed movement were observed in the sagittal plane (flexion and extension). The most affected segment was C7/Th1 (71.5% participants had problems in this segment), and the least affected segment was Th3/Th4 (69.5% participants had no mobility disorders in this segment). The number of disturbed segments did not differ between men and women (p > 0.05), but increased with age (r = 0.14, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Cervical mobility in adult population is frequently restricted. The number of affected segments increased with age and was not sex-dependent.

The effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on range of motion: a meta-analysis

“…Surveys have revealed that musculoskeletal disorders affect more than a billion people worldwide, and are showing an increasing trend annually [ 1 , 2 ]. Musculoskeletal disorders not only induce pain and joint adhesions that disrupt normal body movement but also have the potential to trigger mental health issues such as depression and stress [ 3 , 4 ]. Range of motion (ROM) deficits are a critical predisposing factor and clinical manifestation of musculoskeletal disorders [ 4 – 6 ].…”

“…Musculoskeletal disorders not only induce pain and joint adhesions that disrupt normal body movement but also have the potential to trigger mental health issues such as depression and stress [ 3 , 4 ]. Range of motion (ROM) deficits are a critical predisposing factor and clinical manifestation of musculoskeletal disorders [ 4 – 6 ]. The effects and symptoms of ROM deficits are not limited to the joints and muscles directly affected, but may even involve other areas [ 7 – 9 ].…”