Acute cervical spine trauma

A patient presenting with uncomplicated cervical spine injury (without evidence of fracture, dislocation, instability, or injury to the neural elements) should be followed up in 1 to 2 weeks by a primary care physician. If complications of the initial injury exist that require treatment (e.g., pain requiring prescription medication), follow-up should occur within 7 days and regularly thereafter until the symptoms are under control. The treating physician should remain open-minded about the possibility of an undiagnosed injury if symptoms do not resolve or if they worsen. Specialist referral should be sought in situations where symptoms do not respond to attempted treatments.