Cervical Radiculopathy and Body Mass Index

When radiculopathy occurs due to compression of the neck nerve roots due to pathologies in the neck, it is called cervical radiculopathy. It is thought that high and low BMI values have an impact on radiculopathy. The pressure exerted by fatty tissue on muscle tissue can significantly affect the nerves. This causes an increase in radiculopathy symptoms. Therefore, high BMI causes an increase in the incidence of radiculopathy. The relationship between the degree of obesity, visceral fat area, body mass index, abdominal circumference, and lumbar disc herniation and pain is shown. It has been stated in the literature that BMI is related to lumbar radiculopathy and pain level. Still, there appear to be inadequacies in examining its relationship with radiculopathy, which is related to upper extremity functionality. Therefore, it is thought that pain caused by cervical radiculopathy may be associated with BMI and affect functionality more. At the same time, as BMI increases, lumbar lordosis may affect spine biomechanics, leading to deterioration in sagittal balance and an increase in cervical problems. According to an international study It is stated that in obese individuals with high BMI values, vertebral discs undergo degeneration due to the load on the spine.

For this reason, researchers have suggested that pain level increases linearly with BMI value. It is stated that degenerating lumbar vertebrae progress to narrowing over time and that the risk of lumbar spinal stenosis may increase in individuals with high-fat content. Therefore, radiculopathy is thought to be a significant factor when looking at the relationship between pain in the musculoskeletal system and BMI.

Inclusion criteria

• Being between the ages of 18-65
• Having cervical pathology detected by a neurosurgeon with MRI and having radicular pain symptoms related to this
• BMI >18.5 kg/m2
• Having symptoms for at least 3 months
• Being able to communicate in Turkish
• Volunteering to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant patients
• Presence of malignancy in the spine
• Having a serious neurological disease
• Primary or metastatic spinal malignancy, history of spinal fractures
• People with neurological diseases (Hemiplegia, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson, etc.).
• Being diagnosed with advanced osteoporosis
• Having undergone a surgical intervention involving the cervical region within the last year
• Lack of cooperation