Is there any coexistence of sacroiliac joints dysfunction with dysfunctions of the occipito-atlanto-axial complex? Part I: The sensorimotor function

IntroductionSuboccipital muscles and ligaments of the cervicocephalic joints (CCJ) embody a large number of proprioceptors. There exists a possible correlation between the sacroiliac joints (SIJ) dysfunction with the suboccipital muscles atrophy leading to headaches and body imbalance. This can be caused by the sensorimotor dysfunction of cervical segments due to their functional connections with the SIJ.AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the coexistence of SIJ dysfunction and the sensorimotor dysfunction of the CCJ.Materials and methodsA double-blind test of CCJ and SIJ by Kaltenborn and Evjenth was conducted involving 80 patients experiencing low back pain, 40 of whom were diagnosed with SIJ dysfunction. Functional tests of the cervical spine were performed with Sensoneck. StatGraphics Centurion XV was employed to obtain the statistical analysis of the data.Results and discussionThere was a tendency towards reduced strength of the C2 muscles and a statistically significant instability of the C1 segment in the study group. Exteroceptive sensation was not disturbed. Sensorimotor function of the CCJ differed in the number of errors made by patients with SIJ dysfunction, especially concerning complex head movements. The intragroup analysis indicated that more errors were made by those having the left SIJ dysfunction.Conclusions1. In patients with SIJ dysfunction the tendency towards asymmetrical muscle strength was observed for the C2 segment. 2. Exteroceptive sensation in the upper cervical dermatomes was not distorted by the influence of SIJ dysfunctions. 3. The sensorimotor function of the upper cervical motor segments was significantly worse for the population of patients with SIJ dysfunction, especially on the left side. 4. Sensoneck is a useful tool for an objective assessment of a manual therapy employed in the dysfunction concerning the occipito-atlanto-axial region.