J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002 Mar-Apr; 25(3): 188-92.

Intermittent cervical traction for cervical radiculopathy caused by large-volume herniated disks.

Constantoyannis C, Konstantinou D, Kourtopoulos H, Papadakis N.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Umea, Umea, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of intermittent cervical traction in managing 4 patients with cervical radiculopathy and large-volume herniated disks. CLINICAL FEATURES: Four patients had neck pain radiating to the arm. The clinical examination was typical in all cases for radiculopathy of cervical origin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine revealed large-volume herniated disks in all patients. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOME: The treatment consisted of intermittent on-the-door cervical traction under the supervision of our physiotherapists. Complete symptom resolution for each patient occurred within 3 weeks. One patient who had an episode of recurrence 16 months after the first treatment was successfully managed again with cervical traction and physiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine traction could be considered as a therapy of choice for radiculopathy caused by herniated disks, even in cases of large-volume herniated disks or recurrent episodes.