Musculoskeletal and Neurological Examination Findings in Post-COVID-19

COVID-19 and Pain

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the musculoskeletal and neurological examination findings in symptomatic patients who had previously experienced COVID-19.

Material and Methods: A prospective cohort of 101 patients who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and April 2021 was included in this study. These patients received medication treatment and were followed up but did not require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The patients' symptoms, dysfunctional segments identified through cervical and thoracic examinations, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were analyzed.

Results: Myalgia (63%) was the most commonly reported symptom in the post-COVID-19 period. The T5 segment (23%) was the most frequently observed dysfunctional segment. Older individuals had a higher VAS score and a statistically significant correlation was found between age and VAS scores (p=0.013 and r²: 0.265).

Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence of myalgia as a common symptom in patients who have previously had COVID-19 and emphasizes the importance of assessing the T5 segment for managing pain and facilitating pulmonary rehabilitation in such individuals. These findings can contribute to the development of more effective treatment strategies for post-COVID-19 patients experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms.