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To explore whether the potential instability of the cervical spine and cervical muscle degeneration in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) affect the efficacy of cervical traction, and whether cervical traction can aggravate the potential instability of the cervical spine. We divided the 113 recruited CRS patients into three groups based on the differences in horizontal displacement and abnormal angle, and measured the degree of cervical muscle degeneration in the patients through MRI. Considering functional scores, VAS, NDI and PCS scores of the three groups post-treatment were significantly improved. Through the intergroup analysis, we found that the improvement in functional scores in the mild and moderate instability trend groups was better than that in the severe group. Through MRI measurements, we found that the degree of cervical muscle degeneration was significantly increased in the severe instability trend group. Regarding the changes in X-Ray imaging parameters pre- and post-treatment, no significant differences were observed pre- and post-treatment. For patients with CSR, the more serious their predisposition for cervical instability was, the more severe the degree of cervical muscle degeneration was, which means the worse the curative effect was, but cervical traction did not aggravate the potential degree of cervical instability.

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BACKGROUND: In China, Tongluo-Qutong rubber plaster (TQRP) is commonly used for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, but lacks high-quality trials. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial in China to investigate the practical efficacy and safety of TQRP in the treatment of CSR. METHODS: A total of 240 patients diagnosed with CSR were recruited for the investigation from multiple hospitals in Gansu province, China. The patients were randomly assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The experimental group received treatment with TQRP, whereas the control group was administered a diclofenac sodium patch (DSP) for a maximum duration of 21 days. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, the proportion of patients experiencing 50% or more pain relief, the neck disability index (NDI), changes as per the Eaton trial, and recurrence during the follow-up period were evaluated for both groups. The safety and adverse events associated with the concurrent drug therapy were also evaluated. RESULTS: At each time point, the mean VAS and NDI scores of both groups demonstrated a downward trend. The experimental group exhibited a greater decline in VAS score at each time point compared to the control group (P< 0.01). In the Eaton trial, both the percentage of patients experiencing pain relief of 50% or more and the number of abnormal results exhibited improvement. However, the outcomes in the 21 ± 3d experimental group were significantly superior to those in the control group (P< 0.01). During the follow-up period, the recurrence events in the experimental group were reduced compared to the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P< 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 1.74% for TQRP and 3.54% for DSP. CONCLUSION: TQRP is effective and safe in the treatment of CSR.

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Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness of the balance chiropractic therapy (BCT) compared with traction therapy (TT) for patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Methods: Subjects were enrolled from four hospitals. Eligible patients will be randomized to one of the two arms: the treatment group and the control group. In the treatment group, patients received the BCT for 20 days, while patients in the control group received TT. Patients visited the physician at 1- and 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was pain severity measured with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included cervical curvature measured using the Borden method, a composite of functional status measured by the Neck Disability Index (NDI), patient health status (evaluated by the SF-36 health survey) and adverse events (AEs) as reported in the trial. Results: Of the 240 randomly assigned patients, 120 participants were assigned to the BCT and 120 to the TT. 231 (96.3 %) provided follow-up data at 1 and 3 months. There were no significant differences in baseline data between the two groups (P > 0.05), indicating good comparability. According to the results, after BCT and TT treatment, the pain VAS score, cervical curvature, NDI scores and SF-36 scores of two groups was significantly improved (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at 20 days of treatment and 1 and 3 months of follow-up, the participants in the BCT group showed superior treatment outcomes on both primary and secondary measures. Conclusion: The BCT may be a novel strategy for the treatment of the cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT02705131. Registered on March 10, 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02705131?cond=NCT02705131&rank=1&tab=table.

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OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of meridian massage in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. METHODS: Sixty-four patients with cervical radiculopathy treated from March 2020 to June 2023 were divided into the observation group and the treatment group, with 32 cases in each group. The observation group received conventional treatment, including 14 males and 18 females with an average age of (41.34±7.23) years old ranging from 32 to 55 years old;the disease duration ranged from 9 to 17 months with an average of (14.23±3.56) months;C5 and C6 nerve root compression occurred in 12 cases, C7 nerve root compression occurred in 17 cases, C8 nerve root compression occurred in 3 cases. The treatment group received massage therapy on the basis of conventional treatment, including 17 males and 15 females with an average age of (40.86±6.97) years old ranging from 30 to 54 years old;the disease duration ranged from 8 to 18 months with an average of (15.43±3.48) months;C5 and C6 nerve root compression occurred in 14 cases, C7 nerve root compression occurred in 16 cases, C8 nerve root compression occurred in 2 cases. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS), neck disability index(NDI) and clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis(CASCS) before and after 2-week treatment, and the range of motion of cervical spine was compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 2-week treatment, the VAS and NDI scores of the treatment group and the observation group decreased, while the CASCS scores increased(P<0.001). After 2-week treatment, the VAS and NDI scores were lower and the CASCS scores were higher in the treatment group than those of the observation group(P<0.001). Comparing with those before treatment, the range of motion of flexion, extension, left flexion, right flexion, left rotation and right rotation after 2-week treatment increased in two groups(P<0.05). Comparing with the observation group, the range of motion of flexion, extension, left flexion, right flexion, left rotation and right rotation increased more significantly in the treatment group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Meridian massage is effective in the treatment of cervical Spondylotic radiculopathy, which can effectively relieve neck pain, improve clinical symptoms and improve patient satisfaction.

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The paper introduces professor ZHANG Weihua's experience in treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) with ulna-tibia needling therapy combined with decompression-loosening manual manipulation. Using "palpating, detecting and imaging observing", professor ZHANG Weihua gives the accurate diagnosis for the location, the stage and the severity of the disease. According to the nature of the disease, CSR is treated in three stages. He proposes the academic thought, "taking the tendons as the outline, regarding the meridians as the essential, rooting at qi and blood, co-regulating tendons and bones". The ulna-tibia needling therapy and decompression-loosening manual manipulation are combined in treatment. In the ulna-tibia needling therapy, the acupuncture is delivered at the lower 1/3 of the cutaneous regions of taiyang and shaoyang meridians, on the ulnar region (belt-like distribution). The decompression-loosening manual manipulation is operated in 3 steps, i.e. relaxing the nape region, decompressing and relaxing (includes positioning rotational wrenching, upward and backward elevation) and supination wrenching, and analgesia and regulating tendons; and the manipulation for analgesia and regulating tendons is supplemented to enhance the effect.

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OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided acupotomy in adjuvant treatment of residual symptoms after percutaneous cervical disc nucleoplasty (PCDN) for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). METHODS: A total of 70 CSR patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to random number table, with 35 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received PCDN, while patients in the treatment group further received ultrasound-guided acupotomy, which was performed once every 5 to 7 days for a total of 4 to 6 times (adjusted according to the condition of patients). The visual analog score (VAS), neck dysfunction index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association cervical spondylosis scale (JOA score), and Tanaka Yasuhisa 20-point scale were adopted in the assessment before PCDN and 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months after PCDN. The clinical efficacy, postoperative adverse reactions and complications of the 2 groups were evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with those before PCDN, the VAS score and NDI score of the 2 groups were decreased (P<0.05), JOA score and Tanaka Yasuhisa 20-point score were increased (P<0.05) at 1 day and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Compared with same group 1 day after surgery, the VAS score and NDI score of the treatment group were decreased (P<0.05), while JOA score and Tanaka Yasuhisa 20-point score were increased (P<0.05) at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. Compared with the control group at the same time points, the VAS score and NDI score of the treatment group were decreased (P<0.05), while JOA score and Tanaka Yasuhisa 20-point score were increased (P<0.05) at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation. The effective rate and excellent rate of the treatment group 1, 3 and 6 months after PCDN were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Follow-up to 1 year after surgery, no significant postoperative adverse reactions and complications were found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided acupotomy can significantly improve the residual symptoms after PCDN for CSR patients, and the clinical efficacy is significantly better than that of PCDN alone, and this therapy is safe and reliable.

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Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture-related therapy in the Bayesian setting by means of a network Meta-analysis. Methods: Relevant clinical randomized controlled trials(RCTs) of acupuncture-related therapy for Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy(CSR) were searched in the Chinese and English databases from the inception to November 13, 2023. Two researchers reviewed the literature, extracted the data, assessed the risk of bias of the included studies independently, and then used Stata14.0 and WinBUGs14 to analyze. Results: There are 28 RCTs in total, of which 2593 patients and 14 acupuncture interventions. Network Meta-analysis revealed that, regarding the VAS scores, Acupoint catgut-embedding, Fu's Subcutaneous Needling and Needle Knife are better than Conventional acupuncture, Electro-acupuncture, Sham needle, Western Medicine, and Electrotherapy; Conventional acupuncture is better than Electrotherapy and Sham needle; Qihuang needle is superior to Sham needle and Electrotherapy; besides, Acupoint catgut-embedding is better than Tuina (Message), Chinese Medicine, Warm needle as well. Regarding the NDI scores, Needle Knife, Warm needle, Fire needle, Long round needle, Acupoint catgut-embedding are better than Conventional acupuncture, Electro-acupuncture, and Cervical traction; Conventional acupuncture is superior to Electro-acupuncture, Cervical traction, Needle Knife and Warm needle; whereas we found Qihuang needle is superior to Acupoint catgut-embedding, besides, Need Knife is superior to Qihuang needle, Long round needle and Acupoint catgut-embedding. In terms of improving the Tanaka Yasuhiro 20-point scale scores(TY), Needle Knife and Qihuang needle are superior to Conventional acupuncture, Warm needle and Electro-acupuncture; moreover, Conventional acupuncture is better than Warm needle. Conclusion: In general, Acupoint catgut-embedding shows the best effect at relieving neck pain, then followed by Fu's Subcutaneous Needling and Needle Knife. Needle Knife is the best intervention in improving the functionality of the cervical spine. Like improving overall clinical performance, Needle Knife is the best treatment. Furthermore, our conclusion still needs to be confirmed by higher-quality documentation. In order to choose the best treatment for patients, clinicians are expected to take into account different clinical features and practical clinical settings with caution while choosing an acupuncture-related therapy in CSR. Key Message: This article aims at selecting the best acupuncture-related treatment for clinicians to help patients in CSR, and the results of this study indicated that Acupoint catgut-embedding shows the best effect in relieving neck pain, Needle Knife shows the best effect in improving the functionality of cervical spine, Needle Knife shows the best effect in treating overall clinical performance.

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Purpose: We assess the application and advantages of modifying the trans-unco-discal (TUD) approach which we underwent for cervical myelo-radiculopathy. We present the surgical techniques of the modified TUD approach. Materials and Methods: The material was 180 cases where anterior cervical decompression (ACD) was performed by the modified TUD approach. We classified the material into four groups based on the location of the nerve root and/or spinal cord compression: I, compression of the root at intervertebral foramen (IVF); II, compression of the posterior margin of the vertebral body; III, compression of the IVF and posterior margin of the vertebral body; IV, compression of the bilateral IVF and posterior margin of the vertebral body. We applied the modified TUD approach to these four types. We present the surgical procedures and techniques for the modified TUD approach. The Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) score and neuroradiological alignment were examined. Results: The improvement rate of the JOA score was 78.4% at 6 months post-surgery and 77.5% in the most recent examinations. By the modified TUD approach, compressive lesions of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots were removed, and good alignment was acquired and sustained. Conclusions: ACD by the modified TUD approach safely achieved appropriate decompression for the spinal cord and/or nerve roots, and the patients had a high improvement rate and good alignment. Complications were less common than with other surgical procedures. If the TUD approach and endoscopic approaches can be combined, their application to new area is anticipated.

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OBJECTIVE: The present study outlines the feasibility, safety, and short-term clinical outcomes of posterior lateral endoscopic cervical discectomy (PLECD) through a lateral mass approach for treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational study involved 30 patients with single-level CSR who had failed conservative treatment and presented with clinical symptoms consistent with imaging findings undergoing PLECD via a lateral mass approach. Primary outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS) for neck and arm pain, the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and the modified MacNab criteria. Radiographic follow-up consisted of static and dynamic cervical radiographs and computed tomographic scans. RESULTS: Thirty patients (13 men and 17 women; mean age 48.8 ± 11.9 years) underwent this procedure, and the mean operative time was 74.90 ± 13.52 minutes. Mean follow-up was 7.37 ± 2.17 months. The VAS scores for the neck and arm decreased significantly at the last follow-up (neck, 26.80 ± 4.75 to 9.87 ± 1.78; arm, 71.30 ± 8.48 to 14.73 ± 4.00) (P < 0.05). The JOA score also decreased from 13.47 ± 1.36 to 15.90 ± 0.92 at the last follow-up (P < 0.05). Twenty-nine patients demonstrated satisfactory outcomes based on the modified MacNab criteria at the last follow-up. All patients exhibited a positive clinical response, experiencing relief from symptoms. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed the complete removal of lesions. CONCLUSIONS: PLECD through a lateral mass approach, as an alternative to conventional "keyhole" approaches, proves to be a novel and viable therapeutic option for CSR, demonstrating both high efficacy and safety.

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OBJECTIVE: This research aimed to ascertain the effects of acupuncture at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in combination with sling exercise therapy (SET) on the clinical recovery and cervical spine biomechanics in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CRS). METHODS: Eighty patients with CSR were divided into Group A and Group B. Group A was treated with acupuncture at MTrPs, and Group B was treated with acupuncture at MTrPs combined with SET. The cervical spine function, pain level, cervical spine biomechanics and the occurrence of complications were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, Clinical Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis scores, cervical forward flexion angle, posterior extension angle, left lateral flexion angle, right lateral flexion angle, left lateral rotation angle, and right lateral rotation angle of the Group B were raised, and the Neck Disability index, Visual Analogue Scale scores, and Neck Pain Questionnaire scores were reduced versus those of the Group A. The difference in complication rates between the two groups was not of statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at MTrPs combined with SET promotes functional recovery of the cervical spine, reduces pain, and improves cervical spine biomechanics in patients with CRS.

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BACKGROUND: To evaluate the reliability of the Soft Tissue Tension Cloud Chart (STTCC) technology, an original method combining multi-point Cervical Paravertebral Soft Tissue Test (CPSTT) with MATLAB software, we conducted a preliminary analysis on the immediate effects of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (OMT) on cervical paravertebral soft tissue. METHODS: 30 patients with Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy (CSR) were included in this study. We analyzed the differences in CPSTT before and after treatment with Cervical Rotation-Traction Manipulation (CRTM), a representative OMT technique in Traditional Chinese Medicine, using the STTCC technology. RESULTS: The STTCC results demonstrated that post-treatment CPSTT levels in CSR patients were significantly lower than pre-treatment levels after application of CRTM, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Additionally, pre-treatment CPSTT levels on the symptomatic side (with radicular pain or numbness) were higher across the C5 to C7 vertebrae compared to the asymptomatic side (without symptoms) (P < 0.001). However, this difference disappeared after CRTM treatment (P = 0.231). CONCLUSIONS: The STTCC technology represents a reliable method for analyzing the immediate effects of OMT. CSR patients display uneven distribution of CPSTT characterized by higher tension on the symptomatic side. CRTM not only reduces overall cervical soft tissue tension in CSR patients, but can also balance the asymmetrical tension between the symptomatic and asymptomatic sides. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was approved by the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (Website: . https://www.chictr.org.cn .) on 20/04/2021 and the Registration Number is ChiCTR2100045648.

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Objective: To investigate the influence of preoperative symptom duration on effectiveness of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) in cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) patients. Methods: The clinical data of 90 CSR patients who underwent single-segment CDA between January 2008 and March 2020 and met the selection criteria were retrospectively analyzed. Based on preoperative symptom duration, patients were divided into an early intervention group (preoperative symptom duration <24 months) and a late intervention group (preoperative symptom duration ≥24 months). There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups ( P>0.05), including age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, surgical segment, preoperative neck disability index (NDI), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, cervical lordosis (CL), C 2-C 7 range of motion (ROM), disc angle (DA), disc ROM (DROM), and disc intervertebral height (DIH). The early intervention group had a slightly higher preoperative Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) score than the late intervention group ( P<0.05). Perioperative indicators such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The changes of JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at last follow-up compared with those before operation were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy, and the imaging evaluation of CL, C 2-C 7 ROM, DA, DROM, and DIH was performed before operation, immediately after operation, and at last follow-up. The incidence of prosthesis-related complications, including heterotopic ossification (HO), anterior bone loss (ABL), and prosthesis subsidence, was also assessed at last follow-up. Results: Patients in both groups were followed up 24-120 months, with an average of 53.4 months. There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or follow-up duration between the groups ( P>0.05). However, the late intervention group had significantly longer postoperative hospital stay compared to the early intervention group ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, there was no significant difference in the changes of JOA score, NDI, and VAS score between the two groups before and after operation ( P>0.05). During the follow-up, there was no surgical revision in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of HO, ABL, and prosthesis subsidence between the two groups at last follow-up ( P>0.05). Imaging evaluation showed that there was no significant difference in CL, C 2-C 7 ROM, DA, DROM, and DIH between the two groups at each time point before and after operation ( P>0.05). The intra-group comparison showed that the early intervention group could maintain the immediate postoperative CL at last follow-up, while the late intervention group had recovered to the preoperative level. Additionally, the C 2-C 7 ROM, DROM, and DA had all recovered to preoperative levels at last follow-up in both groups; meanwhile, the DIH significantly increased immediately after operation and sustained until the last follow-up. Conclusion: Preoperative symptom duration significantly affects the effectiveness of CDA in CSR patients. Patients with preoperative symptom duration ≥24 months have longer postoperative hospital stays and potentially poorer ability to maintain CL compared with patients with preoperative symptom duration <24 months.

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OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of Daiwenjiu ointment in the treatment of cervical spondylosis with cold dampness obstruction nerve root type. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on a cohort of 110 patients diagnosed with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Based on the treatment method, the patients were divided into two groups. The control group received electroacupuncture treatment, while the observation group received a combination of Daiwenjiu ointment and electroacupuncture treatment. The outcome measures included Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores for cervical spine function, Simplified McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) scores, and changes in serum inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1ß. RESULTS: Following treatment, the JOA score in the observation group increased from 9.45 ± 1.35 to 14.82 ± 1.29 after treatment, indicating better recovery of cervical spine function compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The SF-MPQ score in the observation group decreased to 18.25 ± 3.80 after treatment, while it remained at 30.20 ± 4.30 in the control group. This difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the observation group demonstrated a significant decrease in serum levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß after treatment compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Daiwenjiu ointment exhibits significant therapeutic effects in patients with cold dampness obstruction nerve root type cervical spondylosis. It effectively improves cervical function, reduces pain, and downregulates inflammatory cytokine levels.

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PURPOSE: The search for more effective and safe treatment methods for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) has led to the rapid development and increasing popularity of minimally invasive posterior cervical foraminotomy (MI-PCF). This study aims to compare two important approaches for MI-PCF surgery: the channel-assisted cervical key hole technology combined with ultrasonic bone osteotome (CKH-UBO) and posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (PPECF). METHODS: Data from patients treated with single-level CKH-UBO (n = 35) or PPECF (n = 40) were analyzed. Clinical outcomes, including visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and modified Macnab criteria, were assessed preoperatively, as well as at three days, three months, and one year postoperatively. RESULTS: The percentages of patients with excellent and good outcomes were 97.14% and 92.5%, respectively. The average surgical time in the CKH-UBO group was significantly shorter than in the PPECF group (p < 0.001), while the average incision length in the PPECF group was significantly smaller than in the CKH-UBO group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of blood loss, hospital stay, and clinical outcomes at three days, three months, and 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: CKH-UBO can achieve the same surgical outcomes as PPECF for the treatment of CSR. However, CKH-UBO saves more time but requires patients to undergo larger incisions.

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OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that cervical sagittal alignment is strongly associated with cervical deformity, myelopathy, and cervical adjacent-segmental disease, and these cervical sagittal parameters are correlated with health-related quality of life. However, less attention has been paid to cervical sagittal balance in various cervical disorders. This study aimed to compare cervical sagittal parameters between patients with nonspecific neck pain (NS-NP) and patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). METHODS: We retrospectively examined 236 patients from between January 2020 and October 2022. We divided them into three groups (NS-NP, CSR, and CSM) and collected general information and cervical sagittal parameters for these patients. The variation of parameters between the size of these parameters and gender differences was analyzed. Pearson's or Spearman's correlation was applied to analyze the association of cervical sagittal parameters of all patients between the three groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences in age and sex among the three groups (p < 0.001), with the NS-NP group being the youngest and NS-NP being more common in women. The parameters of cervical sagittal position significantly differed among the three groups (p < 0.05). Pearson's or Spearman's correlation result showed that the C2-C7 Cobb angle was negatively associated with the C2-C7 sagittal vertical angle (SVA), and the C2-C7 Cobb angle and T1 slope (T1s) were negatively associated with the spino-cranial angle (SCA). There was a positive correlation between the C2-C7 Cobb angle and C7 slope (C7s), C2-C7 SVA and T1s, C2-C7 SVA and SCA, and C7s and T1s. CONCLUSION: This study showed that between the three groups, patients with nonspecific neck pain had smaller SCA, and among patients with NS-NP, women had more significant SCA. The smaller anteroposterior diameter of the thorax in women might explain this difference.

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BACKGROUND:The specific molecular mechanism of the transformation from normal healthy people to acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy has not been clear,which needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of serum proteomics between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,and to find and identify potential specific serum markers between them. METHODS:The serum samples of eight patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and eight normal healthy people were collected,and the proteomic screening and analysis were performed by tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology,in order to explore and identify serum proteins differentially expressed in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 183 significantly differential proteins were screened by tandem mass tag technology,and 11 significantly differential proteins were identified(P＜0.05).Compared with normal healthy people,three differential proteins were significantly up-regulated,including human leukocyte antigen-A,secretoglobin family 1a member 1,and protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase,and seven differential proteins were significantly down-regulated,such as immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 3,skin factor,and myosin light chain 3,in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these differential proteins participated in antigen binding,immunoglobulin receptor binding and other molecular functions.Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that among the common differential proteins between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,HLA-A,HPD,PSMA3,DMKN,SCGB1A1,and MYL3 were located at the nodes of the functional network,and were closely related to the systems of body immunity,cellular inflammatory response,energy metabolism,and mechanical pressure.The significantly differential proteins HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 were verified by western blot,and the results were consistent with those of proteomics.To conclude,tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology can be used to find the differentially expressed proteins in serum between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.It is preliminarily believed that HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 may be specific serum markers of acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,providing a new direction for further research on its pathogenesis.

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BACKGROUND: Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy is a serious and common degenerative disease of the cervical spine due to irritation and compression of the nerve roots of the cervical spine, resulting in a series of clinical symptoms based on sensory, motor and reflex disorders, such as numbness and pain in the neck, shoulders, upper limbs and fingers. Acupuncture is highly effective in treating CSR and has become a common treatment accepted by patients. This study aims to systematically review and analyze existing randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of CSR. METHODS: We used the following eight databases for literature data search: PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine Disc ( CBMdisc), Wanfang Database and China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP). The search consisted of randomized controlled studies of acupuncture for CSR between 2000 and 2020 and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed according to the Cochrane Collaboration's "Risk of Bias Assessment Tool."RevMan 5.4 software was used for statistical analysis only. Study screening, data extraction and statistics, and assessment of the risk of bias of the included studies were performed independently by two reviewers. RESULT: 27 studies with 3124 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis of the total efficiency index for acupuncture for CSR were [RR = 1.14,95% CI (1.09,1.19)]. The results of the meta-analysis of the PPI index were [MD = -0.35, 95% CI (-0.61,-0. 09)]. The results of META analysis of the total effective rate, VAS score, PRI(A) score, PRI(S) score and PRI(T) score showed heterogeneity in the studies included for each outcome index, and sources of heterogeneity were sought through subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis to ensure more stable and reliable data results. The results of the combined meta-analysis showed that the treatment group was significantly more effective than the control group and more effective in lowering the nerves to reduce the pain index in patients with CSR, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). This indicates that acupuncture treatment is superior to traction for CSR. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is significantly more effective than traction therapy in the treatment of cervical spondylosis and can reduce the pain index of patients with CSR.

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OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, cervical curvature, and inflammatory factor levels in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 114 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy who visited Pain Clinic, Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of TCM Orthopedics and Traumatology from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects. According to different treatment methods, these patients were divided into an observation group (n=57, treated with blade needle therapy) and a control group (n=57, treated with modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy). Patients in both groups were treated for 3 courses. The treatment effects, TCM syndrome scores, cervical curvature, hemorheology indexes, inflammatory factors and adverse reactions were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The effective rate of patients in the observation group was 94.74%, which was significantly higher than 82.46% in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, TCM syndrome scores, hemorheology indexes, and inflammatory factors levels in both of groups were significantly decreased in contrast to before treatment, while the cervical curvature was obviously increased. Compared with the control group, after the treatment, TCM syndrome scores, hemorheology indexes, inflammatory factors levels after treatment in the observation group were obviously lower, while the cervical curvature in the observation group being significantly increased (all P<0.05). No statistical differences were found for the incidence of adverse reactions between two the groups. CONCLUSION: Modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy effectively improved the TCM syndrome scores, restored the curvature of the cervical spine, improved the hemorheology of patients, inhibited the levels of inflammatory factors and it also has few adverse reactions, with a significant treatment effect in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

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BACKGROUND: Central sensitization is one of the important mechanisms underlying neuropathic and radicular pain due to cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR). Recent studies have shown that the calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)/cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB)/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathway mediates central sensitization through its involvement in spinal cord synaptic plasticity. Our group has previously found that electroacupuncture (EA) has a good analgesic effect on CSR. However, the central analgesic mechanism of EA for CSR is not yet clear. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into Blank group, Sham-operated group, CSR group, and EA group. We prepared the CSR rat model using the fish wire extrusion method. The behavioral and mechanical pain thresholds of the rats in each group were measured 5 days after successful modeling and 7 days after the intervention. The first intervention was started 5 days after successful modeling, and the EA group was treated by acupuncture at the bilateral LI4 and LR3 points on the same side as one group, connected to a G6805-I electroacupuncture apparatus with continuous waves at 1.5 Hz. The remaining groups were not subjected to EA intervention. The treatment was administered once a day for 7 consecutive days and then executed. We used WB, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR to detect the expression of CaMKII/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway-related factors in the synaptic of rat spinal cord in each group. RESULTS: EA improved pain threshold and motor function in CSR rats, inhibited the expression of BDNF, P-TrkB, CAMKII, and P-CREB in spinal cord synapses, reduced the expression of pain factor c-fos and postsynaptic membrane protein molecule neuroligin2, exerted a modulating effect on spinal cord synaptic plasticity in CSR rats, and suppressed the overactive synaptic efficacy. CONCLUSION: EA mediates central sensitization and exerts analgesic effects on CSR by modulating spinal synaptic plasticity, which may be related to the inhibition of CaMKII/CREB/BDNF signaling pathway.

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