[Evaluation of long-term prognosis in patients with whiplash syndrome].

We reviewed 50 patients who sustained whiplash injuries of the neck. The mean time of the follow-up was 3 years. Only 16% of observed cases recovered completely. Residual symptoms were severe in 38%. Pain in the neck, headache and paraesthesia were the commonest complaints. Older patients and patients with significantly restricted movements of the neck, sharp local kyphotic deformity, chronic instability and neurologic involvement had a worse prognosis.