Prognosis

Most patients with uncomplicated neck pain will recover completely in a matter of days to weeks. A minority (as many as 25% or 30%) will experience persistent symptoms, often in the absence of readily observed pathology (such as disk herniation). A history of neck injury in motor vehicle collision is a risk factor for developing future neck pain.[72] Patients with a prior whiplash injury or preexisting neck or head pain have been found to have a poorer prognosis after a second injury.[23][73]​​ Recovery is highly variable, and it is difficult to determine which patients will be least likely to recover within the first 3 months of injury.[74] There are currently no validated algorithms for predicting poor recovery from whiplash injury,[75] although there is some indication that patients who experience upper extremity radiculopathy and an early decrease in global pain thresholds (central nervous system sensitization signs) are more likely to have persistent pain.[76][77]

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