This study investigated the correlation between muscle fatty infiltration and non-specific neck pain features.
This cross-sectional study included 13 participants aged 20–40 years with non-specific neck pain for > 3 months who underwent clinical tests such as Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), cervical range of motion (CROM), and posture analysis. Additionally, MRI scans were performed on participants to examine fat infiltration in the cervical muscles, including Longus Colli & Capitis, Multifidus, Semispinalis Cervicis, Semispinalis Capitis, and Splenius Cervicis & Capitis at levels C2/3, C4/5, and C6/7. Spearman’s rank correlation was used to assess the association between fat infiltration and neck pain features, including pain intensity, neck disability, CROM, and head posture.
The study found there was a correlation between the accumulation of muscle fat infiltration and pain level in Multifidus (r = 0.563; p = 0.046), cervical range of motion (CROM) in Longus Colli & Capitis (r = 0.747; p = 0.003), Multifidus (r = 0.601; p = 0.030), Semispinalis Cervicis (r = 0.614; p = 0.025), Semispinalis Capitis(r = 0.579; p = 0.038), and Splenius Cervicis & Capitis (r = 0.625; p = 0.022), and forward head posture (r = 0.558; p = 0.048). However, there was no correlation between neck NDI and any muscle fat infiltration.The study found there was a correlation between the accumulation of muscle fat infiltration and pain level in Multifidus (r = 0.563; p = 0.046), cervical range of motion (CROM) in Longus Colli & Capitis (r = 0.747; p = 0.003), Multifidus (r = 0.601; p = 0.030), Semispinalis Cervicis (r = 0.614; p = 0.025), Semispinalis Capitis(r = 0.579; p = 0.038), and Splenius Cervicis & Capitis (r = 0.625; p = 0.022), and forward head posture (r = 0.558; p = 0.048). However, there was no correlation between neck NDI and any muscle fat infiltration.
There was a correlation between fatty infiltration and neck pain features in people with non-specific neck pain. Further research requires larger sample sizes and diverse methodologies, including enhanced visual analysis and the involvement of additional testers to assess fatty infiltration in the neck muscles.
This study found a correlation between fatty infiltration and neck pain features. This finding provides a potential reference for more precise clinical physiotherapy management. It emphasizes the importance of muscle-specific assessments, offering valuable insights into the multidimensional nature of chronic non-specific neck pain.
Medical resonance imaging,
Fatty infiltration
