Agarwal S, Allison G, Singer KP 2005 Cervical range of motion: Radiculopathy versus matched controls. Journal of Musculoskeletal Research 9(2): 93-101

Abstract

Purpose: To identify natural composite cervical range of motion (ROM) differences in a cervical radiculopathy group matched with a normal control group.

Methods: Forty- six cervical radiculopathy patients, age and gender matched with forty-three controls, were measured for end- range flexion, extension, right and left lateral rotation using the Spin-T goniometer. Within group differences were calculated using a paired t-test and differences between groups were compared using an independent sample t-test at p< 0.05.

Results: The mean cervical spine ROM in the cervical radiculopathy group was reduced compared to matched controls for flexion (t = 2.26, p = 0.02), extension (t = 2.30, p = 0.02) and full cycle rotation (sum of left and right rotation) (t = 2.01, p = 0.04). Differences calculated within normal controls and patients for paired rotation movements were not significant. In patients, the reduction was not unilaterally patterned and was unable to show any difference in individual movements of the cervical spine when compared to any one painful side.

Conclusion: Cervical ROM comparisons between a cervical radiculopathy patient cohort and a normal control group indicate a trend towards limitation of ROM compared to normal controls although it does not seem to be a systematic feature of the pain population as tested in this study.