Correlation between fatty infiltration and neck pain features: a magnetic resonance imaging analysis

Introduction Non-specific neck pain has no identifiable cause. Muscle fat infiltration can contribute to non-specific neck pain when fat accumulates in muscle tissue due to disuse and degeneration. This study aims to investigate whether muscle fat infiltration is related to features of neck pain. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study. Thirteen participants aged 20–40 with non-specific neck pain for more than three months underwent clinical tests and cervical MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging). MRI analysis examined fatty infiltration (FI) in cervical muscles at C2/3, C4/5, and C6/7. The Spearman rank correlation was used to examine the correlation between FI and pain, neck disability, cervical range of motion (CROM), and head posture. Results The study found there was a correlation between the accumulation of muscle fat infiltration and pain level in the multifidus (r = 0.563; p = 0.046), CROM in the longus colli and capitis (r = 0.747; p = 0.003), multifidus (r = 0.601; p = 0.030), semispinalis cervicis (r = 0.614; p = 0.025), semispinalis capitis (r = 0.579; p = 0.038), and splenius cervicis and capitis (r = 0.625; p = 0.022), and forward head posture (r = 0.558; p = 0.048). However, there was no correlation between the neck disability index (NDI) and any muscle fat infiltration. Conclusions There was a correlation between FI and neck pain features, including pain, CROM, and head posture; however, no significant correlation was observed with neck disability. This study suggests a potential for developing muscle-specific physiotherapies and assessments to improve treatment strategies for chronic non-specific neck pain.