P Moeti1, G Marchetti. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. prmst11+@pitt.edu
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN: Case series. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcomes of 15 patients with cervical radiculopathy treated with mechanical intermittent cervical traction. BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of traction for the treatment of cervical spinal syndromes is controversial and the outcome of this treatment has not been established in the literature. METHODS AND MEASURES: Fifteen patients (45.5 +/- 13 years) completed a course of treatment using mechanical intermittent cervical traction. Eleven patients presented at baseline with radicular symptoms of 12 weeks duration or less, and 4 patients had long-standing radicular symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks. Outcome was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). RESULTS: Eight of the 15 cases (53%) in this series demonstrated complete pain resolution; these patients had symptom duration of 12 weeks and less. Seven of these 8 cases displayed a final NDI of 10% or less. Three out of 4 of the patients with symptom duration more [corrected] than 12 weeks showed no reduction in pain or increased pain rating, with minimal change in perceived disability of 12% or less. CONCLUSION: In this case series, patients with radicular symptoms lasting for 12 weeks and less demonstrated a reduction in pain and perceived disability. The NDI, when used in conjunction with the NPRS, provides a more comprehensive assessment of the patient with cervical radiculopathy, thus allowing the clinician to make a better judgment about the clinical effects of cervical traction.
STUDY DESIGN: Case series. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical outcomes of 15 patients with cervical radiculopathy treated with mechanical intermittent cervical traction. BACKGROUND: Effectiveness of traction for the treatment of cervical spinal syndromes is controversial and the outcome of this treatment has not been established in the literature. METHODS AND MEASURES: Fifteen patients (45.5 +/- 13 years) completed a course of treatment using mechanical intermittent cervical traction. Eleven patients presented at baseline with radicular symptoms of 12 weeks duration or less, and 4 patients had long-standing radicular symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks. Outcome was measured using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). RESULTS: Eight of the 15 cases (53%) in this series demonstrated complete pain resolution; these patients had symptom duration of 12 weeks and less. Seven of these 8 cases displayed a final NDI of 10% or less. Three out of 4 of the patients with symptom duration more [corrected] than 12 weeks showed no reduction in pain or increased pain rating, with minimal change in perceived disability of 12% or less. CONCLUSION: In this case series, patients with radicular symptoms lasting for 12 weeks and less demonstrated a reduction in pain and perceived disability. The NDI, when used in conjunction with the NPRS, provides a more comprehensive assessment of the patient with cervical radiculopathy, thus allowing the clinician to make a better judgment about the clinical effects of cervical traction.
Authors: Nicole H Raney; Evan J Petersen; Tracy A Smith; James E Cowan; Daniel G Rendeiro; Gail D Deyle; John D Childs Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2009-01-14 Impact factor: 3.134