A Study of Neck Pain and Role of Scapular Position in Drivers

Mechanical neck pain is also referred as non-specific neck pain. It may defined as pain which is aggravated by movement, relived by rest and that is not associated with serious underlying pathology. Among drivers, complaints concerning the musculoskeletal system are most frequently reported from the neck, shoulder and lower back. The driving sitting position is featured by non-neutral spinal postures, generally a reduction in neutral lumbar lardosis and an increased or decreased neck flexion. By this study, we can know whether the neck pain is associated with scapular protraction in drivers or not, and then out of the three positions of the scapular protraction (1-Hands at rest, 2-Hands on hip, 3–90⁰ glenohumeral abduction with internal rotation) which position the drivers are more prone for neck pain. The Aim of the Study is to determine whether neck pain is associated with scapular protraction.

It was an Observational study performed in Private bus Depot in Chennai with the sample of 10 male drivers within the age group of 25–40 years. A brief physical assessment was taken which included demographic data and then assessment of mechanical neck pain by using VAS scale. The scapular protraction measurements were performed at three different positions. The scapular protraction measurement is taken, the distance between the inferior angle of scapula and the corresponding spinous process by using vernier calipers. At first the measurement is taken at rest and then at hands on hip and finally at 90 degree glenohumeral abduction with internal rotation. The mean value of scapular protraction (right and left) and VAS scale (right and left) are calculated and compared to find any association between scapular protraction and neck pain.

The result of the study shows that there is a significant difference in the hands at rest position out of the three positions, in drivers with neck pain who works in abnormal posture for long hours.