Soft-tissue injuries of the cervical spine. 15-year follow-up.
Forty patients with a whiplash injury who had been reviewed previously 2 and 10 years after injury were assessed again after a mean of 15.5 years by physical examination, pain and psychometric testing. Twenty-eight (70%) continued to complain of symptoms referable to the original accident. Neck pain was the commonest, but low-back pain was present in half. Women and older patients had a worse outcome. Radiating pain was more common in those with severe symptoms. Evidence of psychological disturbance was seen in 52% of patients with symptoms. Between 10 and 15 years after the accident 18% of the patients had improved whereas 28% had deteriorated.
Squires
B
B
University of Bristol, England.
Gargan
M F
MF
Bannister
G C
GC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019838:Neck Injuries; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000523:psychology