Prognosis of neck sprains

There is considerable uncertainty surrounding the prognosis from neck sprain injuries. It is clear that the vast majority of patients have a good prognosis, however certain risk factors predicting worse prognosis have been reported [20]:

• Older age
• Female gender
• Baseline neck pain and headache intensity
• Baseline radicular signs/symptoms

Insurance and compensation claims have been found to be associated with a worse prognosis. In countries without a ‘litigation culture’ the prognosis of neck sprain injury is considerably better that in countries with a more litigious system. Regardless of the legal system it has been noted that instruction of a lawyer shortly after a collision is independently associated with slower recovery.