Trauma after a fall
After a severe acute trauma, the rescue service is usually on site and will provide the affected person with a cervical collar to stabilize the cervical spine for transport to hospital. There all necessary examinations are carried out. If necessary, the affected person is kept in hospital for observation.
If there are no neurological symptoms and all further examinations are unobtrusive, there is nothing to prevent a discharge. Sometimes symptoms only appear after a few days or even weeks. If you have suffered a trauma and symptoms only appear after a few days or weeks, you will be seen by your doctor to have all the necessary tests done.
Duration
The duration of the healing process varies greatly and depends on how severe the trauma was and on the psychosocial situation of the person concerned. A mild trauma, where the person can recover for a few days and does a self-exercise program, will not cause any further symptoms after about two weeks. If the trauma was more severe or if the person does not have the opportunity to recover (return to work, child care, etc.
), the symptoms may persist for several weeks. Studies have shown that social and psychological stress can delay healing immensely and even lead to chronic pain. Chronification occurs when pain persists for more than six months after the trauma.
Consequences
A slight trauma of the cervical spine usually heals without any consequences without extensive treatment. Serious trauma can lead to permanent complaints such as pain chronicity, instability or even pain-related inability to work.
