Investigation of the Relationship Between Disc Degeneration and Cross-Sectional Area of Deep Extensor Muscles in Patients with Chronic Non-specific Neck Pain

Objective: The objective of our research is to analyze the impact of the degree of C4-C5 disc degeneration on the relative crosssectional area of the deep extensor muscles (R-CSA DEs ).Methods: A total of 162 patients, 98 (60.5%) females and 64 (39.5%) males, who presented to our hospital between 2020 and 2022 with chronic non-specific neck pain, were included in our study.Retrospectively, the degrees of C4-C5 disc degeneration were determined through magnetic resonance imaging, and the R-CSA DEs was measured. Results:The average age of 162 patients was found to be 42.30±8.8,and the average relative CSA of the deep cervical extensor muscles (R-CSA DEs ) was found to be 1.96±0.45.C4-C5 disc degeneration was found in 41 (25.3%) patients at grade 0, in 99 (61.1%)patients at grade 1, and in 22 (13.6%)patients at grade 2. The mean R-CSA DEs of male were higher than those of female, and this elevation was statistically significant (p<0.05).It was observed that both female (p<0.001) and male patients (p<0.01) had an increased age as the degeneration grade increased.There was a significant difference in R-CSA DEs between the degrees of disc degeneration in female (p<0.001). Conclusion:In patients with chronic neck pain, especially in female, there is a significant decrease in the R-CSA DEs as the degree of disc degeneration increases.