ABSTRACT
Prognosis is variable and depends on the population studied and the end point used. The majority of patients seen in A&E have mild to moderate symptoms where the prognosis for recovery is good. Those seen in physiotherapy or orthopaedic clinics tend to have symptoms at the more severe end of the scale where the prognosis for recovery is worse. That said the reported incidence of long-term symptoms varies from 26% at one year and 4% having continuous pain, to 44% with long-term symptoms and 10% being unable to work.
