What is it about?
A pain drawing is a simple diagnostic tool which should be completed by each able patient entering an emergency center. The drawing may guide further diagnostic assessments especially assessment of nerve involvement.
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Why is it important?
If nerve involvement is suggested by the drawing - a thorough neurological exam should be performed - not just reflex testing - but rather bimanual sensibility testing of all surrounding dermatomes. The observation of nerve involvement in a patient with WAD has impact on all aspects of the management - the clinical and radiological exam, the treatment, the prognosis and the insurance and work capacity assessment.
Perspectives
This study should be iterated in a population with WAD grade 3 where the drawing may be of more use.
MD, PhD Bo Christer Bertilson
Karolinska Institutet
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The pain drawing as an instrument for identifying cervical spine nerve involvement in chronic whiplash-associated disorders, Journal of Pain Research, June 2016, Dove Medical Press,
DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s104747.
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