Publication:

Determinants, characteristics and treatment of neck pain in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala

Background This study was undertaken to study the determinants, clinical characteristics and treatment pattern of neck pain in patients attending outpatient department of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation in a tertiary care hospital.

Methods Study comprehended single patient visit. Data regarding patient demographics, characteristics of neck pain and clinical diagnosis, drugs prescribed to each patient were recorded in a pre prepared proforma. Clinician’s opinion about patient’s X-ray of cervical spine and the data regarding alternative treatment modalities were also noted. Data analysis was done with the help of excel 2007 and SPSS 16 statistical software.

Results Among 170 patients included in the study 38.8% of patients were in the age group of 40-49 years with M:F ratio-1:2.9. 98.8% of patients experienced radiation of neck pain to one or both arms. Neck pain also was associated with numbness in arm (82.4%), forearm (61.8%) or hand (59.4%) and neck stiffness (99.4%). Half of the study population were found to have neurological deficit. 98.2% of patients had positive radiological evidence for neck pain. Cervical spondylosis (85.9%) was the most commonly observed cause for neck pain. All patients received pharmacotherapy with NSAIDS and muscle relaxants. Diclofenac was the most commonly prescribed NSAID. 45% of the patients received alternative and complementary treatments for neck pain.

Conclusions NSAIDs and central skeletal muscle relaxants are the commonly prescribed medications and alternative treatments like spinal manipulation and physiotherapy appears to be beneficial in patients with neck pain.