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