The Clinical journal of pain
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A retrospective survey of 1,661 patients seen over a 10-year period at a pain clinic yielded 55 patients with intractable neck pain as the presenting complaint. In 89% there was an industrial or motor vehicle accident as the precipitating event, 78% were involved in legal proceedings relating to the accident, and in 87% the pain radiated to neighboring structures. ⋯ Treatment mainly by psychotherapy or tricyclic antidepressants resulted in some benefit for 56% of patients. Legal compensation and change in occupation were not major factors influencing the outcome of treatment.