Article

We sought to establish whether chronic neck pain patients suffering
from vertigo and instability have true balance disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Ninety-two patients having suffered from chronic neck pain for at least 3 months
were enrolled in the present study. Patients with a history of neck trauma or
ear, nose and throat, ophthalmological or neurological abnormalities were
excluded. The patients were evaluated in a clinical examination (neck mobility)
and a test of dynamic and static balance on the Satel((R)) platform in which
mediolateral (Long X) and anterior-posterior deviations (Long Y) were monitored.
Our patients were divided into three groups: a group of 32 patients with neck
pain and vertigo (G1), a group of 30 patients with chronic neck pain but no
vertigo (G2) and a group of 30 healthy controls. RESULTS: All groups were
comparable in terms of age, gender, weight and shoe size. Osteoarthritis was
found in 75% and 70% of the subjects in G1 and G2, respectively. Neck-related
headache was more frequent in G1 than in G2 (65.5% versus 40%, respectively;
p=0.043). Restricted neck movement was more frequent in G1 and concerned flexion
(p<0.001), extension (p<0.001), rotation (p<0.001), right inclination (p<0.001)
and left inclination (p<0.001). Balance abnormalities were found more frequently
in G1 than in G2 or G3. Static and dynamic posturographic assessments (under
"eyes open" and "eyes shut" conditions) revealed abnormalities in statokinetic
parameters (Long X and Long Y) in G1. CONCLUSION: Our study evidenced abnormal
static and dynamic balance parameters in chronic neck pain patients with vertigo.
These disorders can be explained by impaired cervical proprioception and neck
movement limitations. Headache was more frequent in these patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS