Table 1.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria	age 18–75 years
	at least two months existing complaints of radicular sensations in the arm (VAS arm pain or VAS tingling sensations) of at least 40 mm
	herniated disc with root compression confirmed by MRI corresponding with the clinical symptoms
	signed informed consent
Exclusion criteria	paresis of MRC <4
	mainly signs of myelopathy
	any form of cervical spine surgery in the past
	instability of the cervical spinal column requiring stabilisation
	pregnancy
	insufficient knowledge of Dutch language
	planned emigration in the year after randomisation
	participation in another clinical trial