Abstract

Background. Disc bulge could lead to compression on adjacent nerve root causing neurological deficits. The purpose of this study is to compare between the effect of prone traction versus supine traction on the neck function and on the size of disc bulge in patients with cervical disc bulge.

Methods. Randomized controlled clinical trial design, 45 patients diagnosed with cervical disc bulge at C5-C6 and /or C6-C7 levels, their ages ranged from 40 to 50 years and were randomly distributed into three equal groups (A, B and C), the three groups received conventional physical therapy for cervical disc bulge, for (group B) traction from prone position was added and for (group C) traction from supine position was added. All participants received 3 sessions per week for one month. The assessment done before and after one month of treatment using neck disability index for neck function disability while size of disc bulge was assessed by using magnetic resonance image.

Results. A statistical significant decrease in the neck disability index scores of the three groups post treatment in comparison with that of pretreatment with high statistical significant decrease in the scores of group B and C post treatment in comparison with that of group A, while there was no statistical significant difference between group B and C in post treatment scores. There were no statistical significant differences between the post treatment measures in comparison with that of the pretreatment for the three groups regarding disc bulge size.

Conclusions. Adding cervical traction to the conventional physical therapy program for cervical disc bulge at C5-6 and /or C6-7 levels can yield more increase in the neck function compared with conventional physical therapy only, while the position of the patient during traction has no effect on the outcome measures.

Key words:

Traction, Cervical disc, Neck disability index