[The optimization of differential diagnosis and treatment of cervical radiculopathy (SHERPA study)].

OBJECTIVE

To improve the algorithm of differential diagnosis and complex treatment of patients with CR.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Forty-two patients with CR were divided into 2 groups. Patients of the first group (n=21) received basic treatment (NSAID, myorelaxants, local injections with glucocorticoids (on demand), B vitamins and non-pharmacological methods) and the anticholinesterase drug ipidacrine. The second group (n=21) had only basic treatment. The total duration of the study was 45 days. The effectiveness of treatment was evaluated with VAS, NDI, GROC and total duration of disability period.

RESULTS

A battery of tests for the diagnosis of CR that included Spurling test, motor strength deficiency, ULTT, pain pattern, shoulder adduction test (diagnostic complex SPASIBO), has been developed. A positive result of all 5 tests guarantees the 94.7% accuracy of CR diagnosis. The application of ipidacrine has allowed a significant (p<0.05) reduction of pain, enhancement of daily living activities and subjective improvement of well-being of patients after 1 month of treatment and mostly after 45 days. Besides, there was a considerable (p<0.05) reduction of the disability period in the first group of patients compared to the control one.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic complex SPASIBO should be used in diagnosis of CR. It is highly recommended to include ipidacrine in the complex treatment of CR.