Neck pain-a problem with major effects

ABSTRACT

To study the prevalence of neck pain in patients and their effects on daily performance. Hospital based observational study. OPD of Mayo Hospital and private chamber of the consultant. Neck pain as a cause of morbidity in both genders with loss of work hours leading to economic and household pressures. A total of 100 patients were studied. Out of these 54% were males and 46% were females. Age range was 15-70 years with the mean of 37 +/- 15.12 years. Duration of pain was from range 1-10 years with the mean of 4 +/- 3.80 years. Sixty nine percent were married and 31% were unmarried, 74% had urban and 26% had rural background. Out of these 69% were working in sitting posture and 31% in standing posture with bent necks on their jobs. Pain was radiating to arms in 53%, dull localized in 34%, stabbing in 9% and of burning character in 4% of patients. No neurological deficit was noted except that movements of neck were painful with associated muscle spasm. These patients were put on muscle relaxants, analgesics, advised extension exercises and told to improve their working conditions by keeping high desks or soft cervical collar. 78% patients showed improvement in the pain and radiation whereas 22% did not get any relief who were referred to physiotherapy department. Neck pain and associated neck muscle pain is a common symptom. The muscle spasm can be overcome by good posture, proper position of neck during work, avoiding very long hours of bent neck. NSAIDs, muscle relaxants and light extension along with exercises of neck can overcome such problems