Hamstring tightness among individuals with neck and low back pain: a cross-sectional study in a public sector institute of Karachi

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of hamstring tightness and its impact among patients with chronic neck and low-back pain.

Method: The analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of the Sindh Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Karachi, from September 10, 2021, to January 31, 2022, and comprised patients of either gender aged 18-40 years with non-specific cervical and lumbar pain for more than 3 months. The participants were divided into 2 groups. Group A included those with chronic neck pain and group B included participants with chronic low-back pain. Clinical assessment was done to measure hamstring tightness and pain by using the active knee extension test and the visual analogue scale, respectively. Data was analysed using SPSS 24.

Results: Out of 104 participants, there were 52(50%) males and as many females. The overall mean age was 28.155.10years. There were 52(50%) subjects in each of the two groups. Hamstring tightness was found in 73(70.2%) subjects. Patients with chronic low-back pain reported more tightness of hamstring muscle 38(73.1%) than those with chronic neck pain 35(67.3%) (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Hamstring tightness was frequent among patients with chronic neck pain and low-back pain though not significantly.

Key Words: Lumbar, Muscle, Neck pain, Pain intensity.