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. 2012 Mar;56(1):18-28.

Cervical radiculopathy: a systematic review on treatment by spinal manipulation and measurement with the Neck Disability Index

Robert J Rodine  1 , Howard Vernon
Affiliations

Cervical radiculopathy: a systematic review on treatment by spinal manipulation and measurement with the Neck Disability Index

Robert J Rodine et al. J Can Chiropr Assoc. 2012 Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

Cervical radiculopathy (CR), while less common than conditions with neck pain alone, can be a significant cause of neck pain and disability; thus the determination of adequate treatment options for patients is essential. Currently, inadequate scientific literature restricts specific conservative management recommendations for CR. Despite a paucity of evidence for high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) spinal manipulation in the treatment for CR, this strategy has been frequently labeled as contraindicated. Scientific support for appropriate outcome measures for CR is equally deficient. While more scientific data is needed to draw firm conclusions, the present review suggests that spinal manipulation may be cautiously considered as a therapeutic option for patients suffering from CR. With respect to outcome measures, the Neck Disability Index appears well-suited for spinal manipulative treatment of CR.

La radiculopathie cervicale (RC), bien que moins courante que les cervicalgies seules, peut être une source considérable de douleur au cou et d’incapacité. Ainsi, il est essentiel d’établir des options de traitements adéquates pour les patients. À l’heure actuelle, l’insuffisance des recherches scientifiques limite les traitements conservateurs propres à la RC pouvant être recommandés. En dépit du manque de preuves soutenant l’emploi de la manipulation vertébrale à grande vitesse et faible amplitude pour le traitement de la RC, il s’agit d’une stratégie fréquemment considérée comme contre-indiquée. Il existe également un manque en ce qui concerne l’appui de la communauté scientifique envers la mise au point de méthodes servant à mesurer de manière appropriée les résultats. Bien qu’il soit nécessaire d’obtenir plus de données scientifiques pour tirer des conclusions solides, la présente étude suggère que la manipulation vertébrale peut être considérée, en toute prudence, comme une option de traitement pour les patients souffrant de RC. Pour ce qui est de la mesure des résultats, l’index d’incapacité cervicale (Neck disability index – NDI) semble convenir au traitement de la RC par manipulation vertébrale.

Keywords: Cervical radiculopathy; Neck Disability Index; chiropractic; high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation; spinal manipulation.

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Figures

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Figure 1
Objective #1 – EBSCO literature search results
Figure 2
Figure 2
Objective #1 – Index to Chiropractic Literature search results
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