Citation

Tomlinson PJ, Gargan MF, Bannister GC. Injury 2005; 36(6): 758-761.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Avon Orthopaedic Centre, Southmead Hospital, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS10 5NB, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2005.01.006

PMID

15910829

Abstract

Forty-two patients with a whiplash injury were assessed at the time of injury, after 3 months, 2 years and a mean of 7.5 years. The range of neck movement, pain, its effect on lifestyle, and psychometric testing were determined in each of the patients. Between 2 and 7.5 years, 5 (12%) described improved symptoms, 12 (29%) complained of continuing pain and 14 (33%) reported increased severity of symptoms since the accident. Neck pain was the commonest complaint in 23 (55%) and low back pain in 18 (43%). Radiation of pain was more common in the severely symptomatic patients. There was no significant difference in either the ages or sex of the patients between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Anxiety and depression correlated well with symptom severity. None of the asymptomatic patients revealed any degree of psychological disturbance compared with 30 (77%) in the symptomatic groups. Symptoms largely stabilised within 3 months but there was significant fluctuation in symptom severity between 3 months and 2 years. This suggests that outcome cannot be accurately assessed during this time. In order to effectively manage those most severely affected by whiplash, patients should be identified within the first 12 weeks following injury if the outcome of their injury is to be modified.

Language: en