In treating cervical radiculopathy, what indicative sign suggests the use of traction?

• A. Positive shoulder abduction
• B. Negative stretch test
• C. Decreased cervical rotation
• D. Presence of upper limb tension test (ULTTA)

Answer: (D)

In the context of treating cervical radiculopathy, the presence of an upper limb tension test (ULTTA) is significant as it may indicate neurologic involvement linked to cervical spine conditions. The ULTTA assesses the sensitivity of the neural tissue and can help determine if there is tension on nerve roots that might be associated with radiculopathy.

When this test is positive, it suggests that traction could be beneficial because traction aims to decompress neural structures by creating space in the cervical spine, potentially alleviating symptoms rooted in nerve root irritation. This is particularly relevant when the patient presents with radicular symptoms, as traction can help relieve nerve root compression that contributes to pain and dysfunction.

Other options present valuable information but do not directly suggest traction as a treatment modality in the same way. For instance, a positive shoulder abduction sign indicates a nerve root involvement but does not explicitly show that traction is the appropriate intervention. A negative stretch test suggests that there may not be significant neural tension, while decreased cervical rotation might point to muscle or ligamentous issues rather than indicating the need for traction specifically. Thus, the presence of a positive ULTTA offers a clearer rationale for utilizing traction in managing cervical radiculopathy.