Balance and Gait on Neuropathic Pain Due to Lumbar Disc Degeneration

Overview

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.

Conditions