Balance and Gait on Neuropathic Pain Due to Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Investigation of Balance and Gait in Neuropathic Pain Due to Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Chronic lumbar neuropathic pain, characterized by pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the lower extremities, is one of the most common neuropathic pain syndromes. It is expected that balance and gait disturbances will occur as a result of motor and sensory problems in patients with neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration. However, as far as the investigators know, there is no study in the literature describing the effects of neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration on balance and gait. Therefore, the aim of our study; To examine the effects of neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration on balance and gait.

Chronic lumbar neuropathic pain, characterized by pain, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness in the lower extremities, is one of the most common neuropathic pain syndromes. Since postural balance is controlled by sensory information, central processing, and neuromuscular responses, any change in proprioception due to prolonged neuropathic pain, asymmetrical load of the lower extremities, timing of dysfunctional muscle activation, sequencing, and asymmetry in foot pressure can alter postural balance. Solid evidence for the long-term effects of lumbar neuropathic pain on postural balance is lacking and needs to be addressed in people with lumbar disc degeneration. Gait problems are seen in patients with lumbar neuropathic pain and they walk more slowly than healthy individuals. However, it is not known to what extent neuropathic pain or neurological dysfunction due to disc degeneration affects gait. In the light of this information; It is expected that balance and gait disturbances will occur as a result of motor and sensory problems in patients with neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration. However, as far as the investigators know, there is no study in the literature describing the effects of neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration on balance and gait. Therefore, the aim of our study; To examine the effects of neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration on balance and gait.

Inclusion criteria for individuals with neuropathic pain due to lumbar disc degeneration:

• Being between the ages of 40-70
• Taking 4 points or more from the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire
• Taking 12 points or more from the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Signs and Symptoms (LANSS) scale

Inclusion criteria for individuals with lumbar disc degeneration but no neuropathic pain:

• Being between the ages of 40-70
• Taking below 4 points from the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire
• Taking below 12 points from the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Signs and Symptoms (LANSS) scale

Inclusion criteria of healthy individuals in the study:

• Being between the ages of 40-70
• Have no pain (Taking 1 point or less according to the Visual Pain Scale)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with pain complaints of different etiology
• Individuals with neurological diseases that may cause central neuropathic pain such as stroke, head trauma, multiple sclerosis
• Individuals who have undergone orthopedic surgery in the last 6 months
• Individuals using any medication for neuropathic pain
• Individuals with chronic pain syndrome such as Fibromyalgia Syndrome