NECK SPRAIN - PHYSIOTHERAPY VS COLLAR TRE ATMENT

Neck sprains are very common injuries often treated with immobilisatio n of different duration. The treatment with collars was tested against physiotherapy in a prospective randomised trial. Endpoints were defin ed as state of health, pain and costs. Ninety-seven patients with whip lash injuries were splitted by randomisation into two groups. One grou p was treated with a certain scheme of physiotherapy. Another group wa s treated with collar immobilisation for 3 weeks. Concerning symptoms at the time of admittance, age and sex distribution the groups were co mparable. Fifty healthy persons with the same age and sex distribution served as a control group. Regarding to physical state of health and pain, which were examined by valid questionnaires, significant advanta ges of physiotherapy after two weeks were found. After 12 weeks the ph ysical state of health corresponds to that of the control group. No in fluence on psychical state of health was seen. Physiotherapy for treat ment of neck sprain is highly recommended. It has clear advantages ove r the treatment with collars with regard to state of health and pain, and it seems to be economically favourable.