[Sprain of the cervical spine: early functional vs. immobilization treatment]

Neck sprains are very common injuries often treated with immobilisation of different duration. The treatment with collars was tested against physiotherapy in a prospective randomised trial. Endpoints were defined as state of health, pain and costs. Ninety-seven patients with whiplash injuries were splitted by randomisation into two groups. One group was treated with a certain scheme of physiotherapy. Another group was treated with collar immobilisation for 3 weeks. Concerning symptoms at the time of admittance, age and sex distribution the groups were comparable. 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 advantages of physiotherapy after two weeks were found. After 12 weeks the physical state of health corresponds to that of the control group. No influence on psychical state of health was seen. Physiotherapy for treatment of neck sprain is highly recommended. It has clear advantages over the treatment with collars with regard to state of health and pain, and it seems to be economically favourable.