KNIGHTS IN ARMOUR: A FOLLOW‐UP STUDY OF INJURIES AFTER LEGAL SETTLEMENT

Abstract

A group of 82 patients was reviewed. All these patients were of Greek origin and suffered back or neck Injuries in industrial or traffic accidents. In most cases the injuries were relatively mild, yet they produced a large variety of symptoms. The clinical features were to a large extent based on a mixture of organic and psychological causes, as well as social disturbances, owing to the particular cultural background of the patients. Legal proceedings were in general regarded as complicating factors and, at times, adversely influenced prognosis. A settlement of the legal matters, however, had little or no influence on most patients and their symptoms persisted unaltered. No specific treatment was found to be particularly useful, but It was considered that surgery was contraindicated in most cases. Females, and those patients with severe psychological disturbances, would seem to have a poor prognosis. A great deal of work needs to be done to solve the many facets of this problem.