Question

A 36-year-old man involved in a road traffic collision complains of neck pain. He is alert, denies any paraesthesia, and has no focal neurological deficit. There is midline cervical spine tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Immobilise the cervical spine and arrange cervical spine imaging

Answer

Remove the collar and ask him to move his neck freely

Answer

Discharge with simple analgesia and no imaging

Answer

Perform neck manipulation to relieve pain

Answer

Delay imaging until the next outpatient clinic

Practice question

A 36-year-old man involved in a road traffic collision complains of neck pain. He is alert, denies any paraesthesia, and has no focal neurological deficit. There is midline cervical spine tenderness. What is the most appropriate next step in management?