Abstract :
Introduction: Neck pain is the fourth most common cause of disability after lower back pain, depression,
and joint pain. Cervical sagittal balance is as crucial as pelvic sagittal alignment and is related to the concept
of T1 alignment.
Materials and Methods: An observational cross sectional study was conducted on 235 Patients diagnosed
as neck pain and treated at our institute between August 2017 to July 2019 with age between 20-80 years
with neck pain complaints and on medication were included in this study. Pain and functional improvements
were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI). Standing lateral view
and standing swimmers lateral view of cervical spine radiographs were taken and studied for evaluating
cervicothoracic parameters T1 slope and SVA (Saggital Vertical Axis) C2-7, following neck pain and
compared with normal ranges. Variations of these criteria have been reported along with the scores of
the questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using the edition 21.0 of the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS).
Results: After analysis, it was found that the average T1 slope was 27.82 14.33, the average male T1
slope was 26.74 14.21 and the average female T1 slope was 28.56 14.42. According to Sang et al
average T1 slope is 25.7.5 6.4 which was taken as a reference for comparison with the asymptomatic
population, our study had an increased value but was not significant.
Conclusions: The pain in the neck increases with age. It is more prevalent in females. Study shows an
increase in neck pain with increasing age due to degenerative changes in the T1 slope, SVA C2-C7. There is
no significant correlation with cervical and neck pain or disability but a good relationship between the two.
There was no substantial difference in cervical curve between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Keyword :
Neck pain, Cervical pain, Cervicothoracic junction, T1 Slope.