Comparing the Outcome of Conservative Treatment between Soft Herniated Cervical Disc with Radiculopathy and Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term clinical outcome of conservative treatment between herniated soft cervical disc with radiculopathy (HCD-R) and cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) METHOD: Clinical outcomes of each twenty patients with foraminal stenosis and with herniated cervical disc in magentic resonance image were evaluated prospectively for one year. All patients received cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection. Clinical outcomes were measured by visual analogue scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) at initial, one, three, six, and twelve months after injection. Twelve months after injection, we categorized patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: All assessements were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The averages of VAS for upper extremity and neck pain decreased from 6.7, 5.1 to 1.5, 1.2 in the CSR group, and also decreased from 5.6, 6.3 to 1.3, 2.3 in the HCD-R group, respectively. The averages of NDI in the CSR group decreased from 42% to 8%, and in the HCD-R group from 53% to 14%, respectively. 88.8% in the CSR group and 88.1% in the HCD-R group were satisfied at posttreatment 12 months. There was no difference between groups in all comparison. CONCLUSION: CSR responded very well to conservative treatment as well as HCD-R, and the effects sustained for long- term.