From: Cervical stenosis in a professional rugby league football player: a case report
• Soft collars should not be used as they do not adequately immobilise the spine |
• Narcotic analgesics may occasionally be needed for pain relief. Psychopharmacologic drugs and muscle relaxants should not be used |
• In the few cases in which rest for the neck might be indicated, it should be limited to less than four days and followed by early activation |
• The Task Force consensus is that manipulative treatments by trained persons for the relief of pain and facilitating early mobility can be used in WAD |
• Long term repeated manipulation or physiotherapy without multidisciplinary evaluation is not justified |
• Surgery for WAD patients is rarely indicated. Surgery is only indicated for Grade III patients with progressive neurologic deficit or persisting arm pain |