Incidence of Cervicothoracic Musculoskeletal Dysfunction in Patients with Low Back Pain: An Observational Study

Question: Is Cervico-thoracic dysfunction associated with low back pain with or without radiation to lower extremities?

Design: observational study, Participants: A total of 800 subjects (M- 431, F- 369) between the age group of 30 years to 60 years with low back pain with or without radiation were evaluated from Feb. 2007 to Sept. 2012. Maitland's Central PA pressure of cervicothoracic spines and palpation in peri-scapular muscles by digital algometer that reproduced the original low back pain with or without radiation is considered a positive co existence

Result: 85.5 % of patients with low back pain with or without radiation were found to have associated cervicothoracic skeletal dysfunctions and myofascial pain syndrome in levator scapulae and/or rhomboids.

Conclusion: Low back pain with or without radiation is often associated with cervicothoracic skeletal dysfunctions and myofascial pain syndrome in levator scapulae and/or rhomboids.