A - 06 Prevalence of Neck Pain and Disability in Pediatric Concussion Patients: A Survey Study

Abstract Purpose A subset of pediatric patients with mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) report neck pain. The presence of neck pain after mTBI has been shown to negatively impact prognosis, recovery times and clinical outcomes. Cervical spine related disability in these patients is not well understood. Additionally, the similarities of headache profiles to cervicogenic headaches in this population is not understood. Method A convenience sample of 153 new pediatric patients presenting for evaluation at concussion clinics associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center were administered an electronic survey. The survey consisted of questions regarding demographics, injury type, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), neck disability index (NDI), location of pain and headache pattern. Data were collected via iPads in the clinics and stored electronically in REDCap. We performed descriptive statistics to report demographics and clinical characteristics. Results The age range of respondents was 13.5–16.5 years with 72 (47.1%) being female. Two patients (1.3%) reported neck pain without headache, 48 (31.3%) reported neck pain and headache, 65(42.5%) reported headache without neck pain, and 38 (24.8%) reported neither neck pain nor headache. Patients with neck pain had a mean NDI score of 38 and mean NPRS of 5. Neck pain was located in the upper cervical spine in 68% of patients, mid cervical spine 34% and lower 40%. Conclusions The findings of this study reveal a moderate prevalence and severity of neck pain and disability in pediatric patients with mTBI. Those patients with neck pain were significantly more likely to report headache characteristics associated with cervicogenic headache.