Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Basic Science

Background: Disc injury or degeneration could lead to mechanical compression or chemical irritation of the nerve root causing neurological deficits which often result in significant functional limitations and disability. Cervical traction and mobilization are generally regarded as a conservative management in treating various types of neck disorders. Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effect of mobilization in prone traction on cervical disc bulge. Subjects: Thirty patients of both gender with cervical disc bulge at C5, C6 and/or C6, C7 levels participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 40 to 50 years old were divided into two groups, control and study, 15 patients in each group. Both groups received traditional physical therapy program for neck pain for 4 weeks at a frequency of 3 sessions per week, additionally the study group received mobilization in prone traction on the level of the bulged disc. Both groups were assessed pre and post treatment for the size of the disc bulge by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for pain by visual analogue scale (VAS) and for functional activities by neck disability index (NDI). Results: There was significant decrease in the mean value of the size of the bulged disc post treatment in the study group compared with control group (p = 0.002), there was significant decrease in the median values of VAS post treatment of study group compared with control group (p = 0.0001) and there was significant decrease in the median values of NDI post treatment of study group compared with control group (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: It was concluded that mobilization in prone traction has significant effect on the size of the bulged disc, cervical pain and neck function in patients with cervical disc bulge

Issued also as CD