Consistent evidence was found to support the use of ' red flags ' to screen for serious pathologies , judicious use of imaging through clinical decision rule application and promotion of functional exercise coupled with advice and reassurance .
Neck pain and whiplash injuries are a common presentation to the ED , and a frequent cause of disability globally .
This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of musculoskeletal neck pain in the ED .
Neck injury and fibromyalgia-- are they really associated?
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether  whiplash injury may be a trigger for the onset of fibromyalgia ( FM ) . METHODS One hundred fifty-three patients presenting to the emergency room with the diagnosis of whiplash injury were examined . The control group included 53 patients hospitalized with fractures of the limbs , spine , and ribs due to road accident . The study and control groups were interviewed shortly after presenting and then followed prospect ively . Patients complaining of musculoskeletal symptoms during followup were examined and a count of 18 tender points was conducted . FM was diagnosed if the patient fulfilled currently accepted 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria . RESULTS The mean followup period for the study and control groups was 14.5 months ( range 12 - 18 ) and 9 months ( range 6 - 14 ) , respectively . There were no differences between the groups with regard to age , sex , marital , education , or employment status . During the followup period only one patient in the study group and no patients in the control group developed signs and symptoms of FM . Three patients in the study group ( 2 % ) and 15 patients in the control group ( 16 % ) filed insurance cl aims ; none was associated with FM . CONCLUSION Whiplash injury and road accident trauma were not associated with an increased rate of FM after more than 14.5 months of followup
Consistent evidence was found to support the use of ' red flags ' to screen for serious pathologies , judicious use of imaging through clinical decision rule application and promotion of functional exercise coupled with advice and reassurance .
Neck pain and whiplash injuries are a common presentation to the ED , and a frequent cause of disability globally .
This rapid review investigated best practice for the assessment and management of musculoskeletal neck pain in the ED .