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Baño Alcaraz, Aitor

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Baño Alcaraz, Aitor
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Universidad de Murcia. Departamento de Fisioterapia
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    Coexistence of neck pain and low back pain, and their association with demographic, occupational, and spine MRI-based morphological factors in dentists
    (Springer, 2026-05-27) López Morales, Ana; Baño Alcaraz, Aitor; López Nicolás, Manuel; García Vidal, José Antonio; Cánovas Ambit, Germán; Fisioterapia; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Medicina
    Background The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP), is notably high among dentists. Several studies have examined associated factors such as age, gender, long working hours, non-ergonomic postures, and repetitive movements. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered the gold standard for detecting spinal morphological changes; however, evidence shows that MRI findings do not always correlate with the presence or severity of LBP or NP. Purpose This study aimed to compare the relative frequency of coexisting versus isolated NP and LBP and to assess their association with demographic, occupational, and MRI-based morphological factors. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among actively practicing dentists affiliated with the Professional College of Dentists and Stomatologists of Murcia. Data were collected during a single visit at an authorized radiology unit, including pain types, demographic and occupational data, and MRI measurements. Results A total of 57 dentists participated. LBP was reported by 66.7% of participants, while NP was present in 70%; notably, 47.4% experienced both simultaneously. MRI findings revealed that the most common lumbar alterations were disc bulging (84.2%) and facet joint degeneration (66.7%), while cervical changes included disc bulging (66.7%) and herniated disc (54.4%). A significant association (p = 0.010) was found between younger dentists and the coexistence of both pain types, as well as between middle-aged dentists (40–49 years) and isolated LBP. Conclusion Nearly half of dentists experience coexisting NP and LBP, with coexistence strongly linked to individuals under 40 years of age.
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    Cervical magnetic resonance imaging profiles and their association with cervical pain in dentists: a cluster analysis study
    (MDPI, 2026-01-09) López-Morales, Ana; Baño Alcaraz, Aitor; López Nicolás, Manuel; García Vidal, José Antonio; Cánovas-Ambit, Germán; Fisioterapia
    Background/Objectives: Neck pain is highly prevalent among dentists and has been linked to occupational exposure and cervical degeneration. However, the relationship between cervical MRI findings and symptoms remains inconsistent. This study aimed to explore MRI-based cervical structural profiles in active dentists and examine their associations with neck pain, disability, and participant characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 practicing dentists. Participants reported neck pain and completed the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). Cervical MRI scans were assessed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist. An exploratory hierarchical cluster analysis (complete linkage, Euclidean distance) was applied using MRI degenerative variables to identify structural profiles, followed by bivariate comparisons with clinical and occupational factors. Results: Degenerative MRI findings were common (disc bulging, 66.7%; disc herniation, 54.4%). Two MRI-based profiles were identified, one characterized by a higher burden of degenerative findings (including disc and facet changes) (70.2%), and another with fewer/milder degenerative features (29.8%). Neck pain and NDI scores ≥ 20 were more frequent in the higher-degeneration profile (p = 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Age showed a non-linear pattern, with younger dentists reporting pain despite milder MRI changes, whereas older dentists showed more degeneration with fewer symptoms. Conclusions: In this exploratory study, individual MRI findings were not independently associated with neck pain, while a higher overall burden of degenerative changes tended to co-occur with greater symptom reporting and disability. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and warrant confirmation in larger, longitudinal studies.
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