Inclusion of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) in the Management of Cervical Radiculopathy: A Case Report

Abstract

Various interventions are used by physical therapists to treat neck conditions. Treatments may include exercises based on a direction of preference, cervical spine stabilization, neuromobilization, or traction. The purpose of this case study was to describe the use of mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT) in the management of a patient diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy. The case study involved a 39-year-old male (subject), classified with cervical derangement, hypermobility, and adverse neural tension. The subject's intervention included MDT, deep neck flexor muscle strengthening, and neuromobilization. This subject's scores on the Neck Disability Index, Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and range of motion were assessed at initial examination, discharge, and 3-month follow-up. The subject improved on all outcome measures and was discharged after four visits with a NPRS of 0/10. Percent improvement per visit was 17.5%. This case describes a positive outcome for a patient diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy in which MDT, deep neck flexor strengthening, and neuromobilization were used as an alternative to cervical traction.