The Effect of Accident Mechanisms and Initial Findings on the Long-Term Outcome of Whiplash Injury

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Abstract
Objectives: To analyze the relationship between somatic, radiological and neuropsychological findings and feautres of the accident mechanisms assessed early after trauma and long-term outcome after whiplash injury. Findings: Patients who remained symptomatic during two years of trauma were older, showed more rotated or inclined head position at the time of impact, had higher prevalence of pre-traumatic headache, scored higher on ratings of initial neck pain and headache, displayed a greater variety of symptoms, had a higher incidence of symptoms of radicular deficit and higher average scores on a multiple symptom analysis, and showed more osteoarthrosis on x-ray. These same patients, in addition, on testing showed impaired well-being and deficient attentional processing, and had more concern with regard to long-term suffering and disability. Conclusions: These findings essentially support the view that a poor outcome in the long-term after whiplash injury is primarily related to its initial severity.