Reduced postural control in patients with chronic cervicobrachial pain syndrome

Dizziness and subjective balance disturbances are frequent complaints in cervical pain syndromes of different origins. We objectively assessed balance function with posturography using vibration-induced and galvanically induced body sway in consecutive patients with cervicobrachial pain syndrome of more than 3 months duration. Both a group of patients with MRI-verified cervical root compression (CRC group, n = 89), and a group with normal MRI of the cervical region (non CRC group, n = 18) manifested significantly poorer postural control than sex- and age-matched controls (n = 20). Disorders of the neck should be considered when assessing patients complaining of dizziness or vertigo.