Sex-based differences in pain distribution in a cohort of patients with persistent post-traumatic neck pain.

The importance of "female sex" as risk factor for the development of persistent pain after neck trauma needs to be discussed further. The high frequency of regional and widespread pain among patients with persistent neck pain after trauma calls for both multidisciplinary assessments and treatment strategies. The relationships between different pain distribution patterns, disability, activity, and psychological factors need to be studied further. Implications for rehabilitation Patients suffering from pain and disability after neck trauma constitute a significant proportion of patients with persistent pain. The importance of the risk factor "female sex" should be further discussed in the development of persistent pain after neck trauma. The high frequency of regional and widespread pain among patients with persistent neck pain after trauma calls both for multidisciplinary assessments and treatment strategies. The relationships between different pain distribution patterns, disability, activity, and psychological factors need to be studied further.