Westeinde Brachialgia Study

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Conservative Therapy in Cervical Radiculopathy

The Westeinde Brachialgia Study (WEB) is a randomized controlled trial to establish the effect of cervical collar or physiotherapy compared to a wait-and-see policy in patients with acute cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical radiculopathy caused by spondylosis or disc protrusion is a common disorder with a usually benign natural course. Often, physiotherapy (exercise programs) and/or cervical collar are prescribed. However, there are no reliable data on the effects of these conservative therapies.

In this study, patients with acute cervical radiculopathy, defined by clinical criteria, are randomized for cervical collar, physiotherapy or a wait-and-see policy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Cervical radiculopathy defined by neck pain irradiating to one arm with at least one of the following: provocation by neck movements or sensory changes in one or more adjacent dermatomes or diminished deep tendon reflexes in the affected arm; or muscle weakness in one or more adjacent myotomes.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Arm pain existing longer than one month
• Clinical signs of spinal cord compression
• Previously treated with physiotherapy or a cervical collar