Stretching Versus Traction in Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy.

Which is Better to Decompress the Nerve Roots in Cervical Radiculopathy: Stretching or Traction From Foraminal Opening Position

The purpose of the study is to compare the effects of traction decompression and neck muscle stretching on the magnitude of Flexor Carpi Radialis H-Reflex(HR), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores in patients with cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical traction has long been used to relieve compression of nerve roots caused by intervertebral discs. Yet, there is lack of knowledge that compares the effect of traction decompression with neck muscles stretching in patients with cervical radiculopathy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients should have C5-C6 and C6-C7 paramedian disc protrusion manifested by unilateral symptoms in C6-C7 roots dermatome and myotomes of the upper extremities.
• They were diagnosed as cervical disc protrusion (C5- C7) for at least three months.
• All patients should have a second grade of disc bulge (2-3mm) which was detected from T2 axial view of MRI.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients will be excluded from the study if they have upper cervical spine disc pathology, cord compression and upper motor neuron symptoms, curvature abnormalities of the neck including reversed curve (kyphotic) and deformities, cervical rib syndrome, double crush syndrome, diabetic neuropathy, text neck , short neck (Churchill neck), Marked facet joint, neuro-central joint arthropathic pathology, osteoporosis.