Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 70 years. * Chronic cervical radicular pain lasting ≥3 months, characterized by neck pain with accompanying arm pain consistent with a cervical nerve root distribution. * Average pain intensity ≥4/10 on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) over the preceding 7 days at baseline. * Diagnosis of chronic cervical radiculopathy due to cervical disc herniation, confirmed by clinical examination and cervical MRI findings at the corresponding level. * Insufficient response to conservative treatment, including physical therapy, medication, and/or exercise therapy. * Ability to provide written informed consent and comply with study procedures. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients were excluded if any of the following were present: * Clinical signs of cervical myelopathy or progressive neurological deficit. * Suspicion of serious spinal pathology (e.g., infection, malignancy). * Contraindications to epidural steroid injection, including uncontrolled coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy not appropriately managed, or local/systemic infection. * Pregnancy. * Prior cervical spine surgery or cervical epidural steroid injection within the prespecified washout period. * Severe musculoskeletal or neurological comorbidities that could interfere with safe participation in the exercise program. * Discordance between clinical symptoms and imaging findings.