Relationship between Mechanical Neck Pain and Dorsal Hyperkyphosis

Abstract
Background: Dorsal hyperkyphosis is a condition indicated by the abnormal increase in the curvature convexity of the thoracic vertebral column. The neck pain is a common clinical complaint that commonly seen at physiotherapy clinics all over the world. In order to properly prevent or treat a clinical problem, potential risk factors need to be identified.
Aim of the Study: The purpose of this study was to inves-tigate the correlation between thoracic hyperkyphosis and cervical ROM, neck pain and functional abilities of the neck.
Subjects and Methods: Sixty subjects diagnosed as me-chanical neck pain with dorsal hyperkyphosis of both sexes participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 20 to 40 years. Agreement of the Ethical Committee of Faculty of Physical Therapy was obtained before beginning of the study, degree of hyerkyphosis was measured by gravity dependent inclinometer, assessment of cervical range of motion was performed by the researcher via using OB Myrien inclinometer, VAS scale was used for assessment of neck pain, and NDI was used for assessment of neck disabilities.
Results: There was a statistical significant positive corre-lation between degree of hyperkyphosis and neck pain, there was a statistical significant negative correlation between degree of hyperkyphosis and neck extension, there was no correlation between degree of hyperkyphosis and neck disa-bilities and there was no correlation between degree of hyper-kyphosis and neck flexion, side bending and neck rotation.
Conclusion: Degree of dorsal hyperkyphosis could affect the severity of neck pain and could decrease the mobility of the neck in the extention range of motion. On the other side degree of dorsal hyperkyphosis couldn't affect neck abilities and the mobility of the neck in the other directions.