Table 1.

Selection criteria for trial eligibility.

Inclusion criteria

Age 18 - 65 years

Radicular signs and symptoms in one or both arms

At least 8 weeks prior conservative treatment

Radiographic diagnosis of cervical disc herniation and/or osteophyte at 1 level (C3-C4 to C7-T1) in accordance with clinical signs and symptoms

Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Previous cervical surgery (either anterior or posterior)

No motion of the index level on dynamic studies

Increased antero-posterior motion of the index level on dynamic studies (>3 mm)

Involved disc level fused or very narrow (central <3 mm)

Severe segmental kyphosis of involved disc level (>3 degrees)

Neck pain only

Symptoms and signs of chronic myelopathy

Infection, bone disease, neoplasm or trauma of the cervical spine

Spinal anomaly (Klippel-Feil, Bechterew, OPLL)

Severe mental or psychiatric disorder

Inadequate Dutch language

Planned (e)migration abroad in the year after inclusion