Neck-Related Headache in Patients With Cervical Disc Disease After Surgery and Physiotherapy A 1-Year Follow-up of a Prospective Randomized Study

Study Design. A prospective randomized multicenter trial. Objective. To investigate the effects of surgery with either structured postoperative physiotherapy or standard postoperative approach on neck-related headache in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Secondary, to investigate associations between change in neck-related headache and change in neck muscle endurance, neck mobility, or neck pain. Summary of Background Data. The effect of physiotherapy on individuals with neck-related headache after surgery for cervical radiculopathy due to magnetic resonance imaging-verified disc disease is unknown. Methods. One hundred six patients with neck-related headache and participating in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the additional effects of physiotherapy after surgery for cervical radiculopathy were included. Patients were randomized preoperatively to structured postoperative physiotherapy (n = 51) or the standard postoperative approach (n = 55). Outcome measures were headache intensity and neck pain intensity, neck muscle endurance, and neck mobility. Measures were obtained preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Results. Headache intensity significantly changed from baseline to 1 year postoperatively (P < 0.001) in both groups.Post-hoctests showed a significant difference between baseline and 6 weeks (P <= 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups (P > 0.05) or between-group differences in changes over time (P > 0.05). The change in current headache intensity over time was associated with a change in current neck pain intensity over time (P = 0.003, beta = 0.40). Conclusion. There was a significant improvement in headache intensity 1 year postoperatively in patients with cervical radiculopathy and neck-related headache, but there were no differences between groups over time. Change in current headache intensity was only associated with a change in current neck pain intensity.Funding Agencies|Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council; Swedish Society of Medicine; Medical Research Council of Southeast Sweden; County Council of Region Ostergotland, Lions, and Futurum (Academy for Health and Care); Region Jonkoping County funds