Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 2-stage nonoperative treatment for patients with cervical dorsal rami entrapment syndrome.
Materials and methods: The study included 66 patients diagnosed with cervical dorsal rami entrapment syndrome randomized to an experimental group (n=33) and control group (n=33). The experimental group was treated with additional diagnostic block if regular 2 weeks medication was not effective. The control group only received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 weeks. A visual analog scale (VAS) and pain treatment satisfaction scale (PTSS) were used to assess pain. Muscle power in the upper limbs was also assessed. The registration number of this study is ChiCTR-IIR-15007565.
Results: The VAS scores of the experimental group were significantly lower at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment compared with baseline and the VAS scores of the control group (all P<0.001). The PTSS scores of the experimental group were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment compared with baseline and the PTSS scores of the control group (all P<0.001). Maximal muscle power after treatment was significantly greater in the experimental group compared with the control group for shoulder abduction (P<0.001), thumb pinch force (P=0.001), and grasp (P<0.001).
Conclusions: The results suggest that the 2-stage treatment is effective for patients with cervical dorsal rami entrapment syndrome.