BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Mar 2023)

Fatty infiltrate and neck muscle volume in individuals with chronic whiplash associated disorders compared to healthy controls – a cross sectional case–control study

  • Nils Lund,
  • Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard,
  • James M Elliott,
  • Gunnel Peterson,
  • Magnus Borga,
  • Peter Zsigmond,
  • Anette Karlsson,
  • Anneli Peolsson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06289-x
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract Background The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD) are not fully understood. More knowledge of morphology is needed to better understand the disorder, improve diagnostics and treatments. The aim was to investigate dorsal neck muscle volume (MV) and muscle fat infiltration (MFI) in relation to self-reported neck disability among 30 participants with chronic WAD grade II-III compared to 30 matched healthy controls. Methods MV and MFI at spinal segments C4 through C7 in both sexes with mild- to moderate chronic WAD (n = 20), severe chronic WAD (n = 10), and age- and sex matched healthy controls (n = 30) was compared. Muscles: trapezius, splenius, semispinalis capitis and semispinalis cervicis were segmented by a blinded assessor and analyzed. Results Higher MFI was found in right trapezius (p = 0.007, Cohen’s d = 0.9) among participants with severe chronic WAD compared to healthy controls. No other significant difference was found for MFI (p = 0.22–0.95) or MV (p = 0.20–0.76). Conclusions There are quantifiable changes in muscle composition of right trapezius on the side of dominant pain and/or symptoms, among participants with severe chronic WAD. No other statistically significant differences were shown for MFI or MV. These findings add knowledge of the association between MFI, muscle size and self-reported neck disability in chronic WAD. Trial registration NA. This is a cross-sectional case–control embedded in a cohort study.

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