Relationship between clinical features of patients with neck pain symptoms, COBB angle on lateral cervical graphs, and PAL (projection area per length squared) measurements

Objective: Neck pain is a common musculoskeletal problem encountered in the community. When the etiology of neck pain is examined, it is seen that disc herniation is related to the alignment of the joints, muscles, ligaments and vertebrae in the cervical region. All these are related to ergonomic, individual, behavioral and psychosocial factors. Neck pain restricts the mobility of individuals and negatively affects their daily lives. It can also lead to increased levels of depression and anxiety. Factors that cause neck pain can cause gradual decrease in cervical stability and loss of cervical lordosis. Lateral radiographs are one of the most commonly used methods to evaluate cervical lordosis angles. This study aims to examine the clinical features of patients with neck pain symptoms, to determine the relationship between the Cobb method, which is one of the most commonly used classical methods for measuring cervical lordosis angle in the radiographs of patients with neck pain, and the PAL (Projection Area Per Length Squared Method), which will be used for the first time in the evaluation of cervical lordosis. Material and Methods: It was planned to evaluate the absence of neck pain and to reveal the relationship between the effects of neck pain on individuals (quality of life, mobility abilities, pain and psychological state) with these measurement values. In our study, cervical region ROM (range of motion) measurements were used to evaluate the range of motion of 43 patients with neck pain symptoms, Neck Disability Questionnaire was used to evaluate how activities of daily living were affected, Beck Depression Scale was used to evaluate the level of depression, and VAS scale was used to reveal the severity of pain. Goniometric measurements were made to assess ROM in the cervical region. Cobb method and PAL method measurements were performed on lateral radiographs. Results: According to the data we have obtained, there is a high level of positive between the Cobb method and the PAL method; High level between NDI scores and VAS (Resting) scores, moderate between NDI and VAS (Night) and VAS (Activity) scores; Intermediate level between PAL method and VAS (Resting) scores; Intermediate level between BMI and age, moderate between BMI and flexion measurements; intermediate between age and flexion measurements; We found a moderately significant correlation between BDI scores and NDI scores. Conclusion: Accordingly, we think that the PAL method can be presented to clinicians as a practical and alternative method in evaluating cervical lordosis.