Suggest Treatment For Coup Contrecoup Injury

Posted on Sat, 12 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 12 Apr 2014 Answered on

Thu, 8 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I am a family nurse practitioner and my son was involved in a car accident yesterday. He was at a stop light with a stopped car in front of him and was hit from behind by a large pickup truck going about 35 mph. I am worried about a coup contrecoup injury. I have strong encouraged him to seek help. Only symptom that he described is a sore neck. After diagnosis is confirmed by CT or MRI, what is the typical treatment pharmacologically and nonpharmacologically? Thank you for your help.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: If no neurological involvement then conservative. Detailed Answer: Hello, I have studied your case. There is possibility of cervical spine injury and head injury. MRI and CT will rule out fracture or cord compression or intra cranial bleed. You need decompression if fracture is compressing spinal cord. Decompression is necessary if neurological deficit is there. If there is no neurological involvement then conservative brace or rest is sufficient Cervical brace will help for early healing. Cord compression will decide weather methylprednisolone is required or not. Later on follow rehabilitation and physiotherapy. You need to take muscle relaxant and analgesics and Trypsin-chymotrypsin. Physiotherapy like USG, TENS will help in early recovery. Till time take rest, avoid lifting weight. Ice fomentation will help in reducing pain. Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar