Physical treatment is an integral part in the management of cervico brachial neuralgia (CBN). But it is rarely touched on in literature. The aim of this study is to evaluate the contribution of rehabilitation in the management of CBN and its effect on pain, function and psychology of patients.

A prospective study including patients with CBN referred to the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PRM) of Mahdia from October 2016 to March 2017. All of the patients underwent physical rehabilitation and the evaluation was performed before and at the end of the protocol. Measures outcomes were: pain via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), functional outcome using the neck disability index (NDI) and the psychological profile with HAD scale.

Forty patients were enrolled in this study; 12 men (30%) and 28 women (70%). The average age was 51 years old and the mean duration of symptoms was 2.4 years. In most of the cases, CBN was unilateral (87%) and C6 root was concerned (52%). On physical examination, we found limited and painful spinal motion mobility in 95% of the cases associated with contracture of the neck muscles in 87.5% of the cases. The cervical spine X-rays showed osteoarthritis, pinching discs or osteophytosis in 90% of the cases. At the end of the protocol, all parameters improved. Patients had significantly improvement of VAS pain and NDI but the improvement of HAD scale was not significant.

This study concludes that rehabilitation reduces the perception of pain and improves function in patients with CBN.