title: The impact of generalized joint laxity (GJL) on the posterior neck pain, cervical disc herniation, and cervical disc degeneration in the cervical spine.
abstract: Generalized joint laxity (GJL) can have a negative impact on lumbar spine pathology, including low back pain, disc degeneration, and disc herniation, but the relationship between GJL and cervical spine conditions remains unknown.
  
  
  
  To investigate the relationship between GJL and cervical spine conditions, including the prevalence of posterior neck pain (PNP), cervical disc herniation (CDH), and cervical disc degeneration (CDD), in a young, active population.
  
  
  
  Retrospective 1:2 matched cohort (case-control) study from prospectively collected data PATIENT SAMPLE: Of a total of 1853 individuals reviewed, 73 individuals with GJL (study group, gruop A) and 146 without GJL (control group, Group B) were included in the study according to a 1:2 case-control matched design for age, sex, and body mass index.
  
  
  
  The primary outcome measure was the prevalence and intensity of PNP at enrollment based on a visual analogue scale score for pain. The secondary outcome measures were (1) clinical outcomes as measured with the neck disability index (NDI) and 12-item short form health survey (SF-12) at enrollment, and (2) radiological outcomes of CDH and CDD at enrollment.
  
  
  
  We compared baseline data between groups. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed to compare the 2 groups in terms of the outcome measures.
  
  
  
  The prevalence and intensity of PNP were significantly greater in group A (patients with GJL) than in group B (patients without GJL) (prevalence: p=.02; intensity: p=.001). Clinical outcomes as measured with NDI and SF-12 did not differ significantly between groups. For radiologic outcomes, the prevalence of CDD was significantly greater in group A than in group B (p=.04), whereas the prevalence of CDH did not differ significantly between groups (p=.91).
  
  
  
  The current study revealed that GJL was closely related to the prevalence and intensity of PNP, suggesting that GJL may be a causative factor for PNP. In addition, GJL may contribute to the occurrence of CDD, but not CDH. Spine surgeons should screen for GJL in patientswith PNP and inform patients of its potential negative impact on disc degeneration of the cervical spine.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Dongkang Hospital, 239, Taehwa-ro, Jung-gu, Ulsan 44455, Korea.
authors: Sun-Mi
authors: SM
authors: Lee
authors: Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13620, Korea.
authors: Su Chan
authors: SC
authors: Oh
authors: Spine Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 82, Gumi-ro 173beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13620, Korea.
authors: Jin S
authors: JS
authors: Yeom
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Korea.
authors: Ji-Hoon
authors: JH
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Korea.
authors: Sam-Guk
authors: SG
authors: Park
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Korea.
authors: Duk-Seop
authors: DS
authors: Shin
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Korea.
authors: Myun-Whan
authors: MW
authors: Ahn
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, 170, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu 42415, Korea. Electronic address: gwlee1871@gmail.com.
authors: Gun Woo
authors: GW
authors: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence
keywords: Cervical spine; Clinical outcomes; Disc degeneration; Disc herniation; General joint laxity; Posterior neck pain