Whiplash or Whiplash Injury is an injury to the muscles and tissues in the neck caused by sudden movement. It is a violent rotation or jerk of the head back and forth rapidly. It is most often caused by a car accident, a physical assault or a blow to the neck, or an injury from playing sports or playing amusement park rides.
Whiplash is a condition that occurs when the muscles and tendons in the neck suddenly move beyond their normal range of motion. The symptoms can be similar to a strained or torn cervical muscle, but whiplash can also involve other types of neck injuries. Whiplash is usually mild and usually improves with treatment in two to three weeks. However, in rare cases, it can cause long-term complications.
Whiplash symptoms
Whiplash injuries usually occur within 24 hours after an accident or activity, but sometimes symptoms may appear 2-3 days later. Patients often have the following symptoms:
- Pain or stiffness in the neck
- Difficulty in moving the neck and feeling more pain when moving the neck
- Headache ,usually beginning at the base of the skull.
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Not clearly visible
- Feeling tired and weak
Other symptoms that may occur include memory and concentration problems, sleep problems, ringing in the ears, feeling irritable, and chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, or head.
If the patient feels neck pain or has abnormal symptoms similar to the above after playing sports, being in a car accident, or from other causes, they should see a doctor to get a correct diagnosis. However, if the pain spreads to the shoulder or arm, feels pain when moving the head, feels numbness or weakness in the arm, they should see a doctor immediately.
Causes of Whiplash
Whiplash occurs when the head is violently twisted or jerked backward and forward in rapid succession, causing injury while the neck is fully extended. It affects the vertebrae, discs, ligaments, muscles, nerves, or other tissues in the neck. It is most often the result of an injury from one of the following causes:
- Car accidents, especially being hit from behind
- Physical abuse such as being punched or violently shaken, which is common in young children (Shaken Baby Syndrome)
- Playing contact sports, such as heading a football with your head, boxing, karate, or other sports.
- Injuries from other causes, such as horseback riding, cycling, falling from a height causing the head to hit and swing back, or being hit by a heavy object, etc.
Whiplash Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about any unusual symptoms, pain characteristics, location of the pain, and the activities the patient did or history of injury before seeing the doctor. Then, a preliminary physical examination will be performed to look at the movement of the head, neck, shoulders, and back, as well as tenderness, strength, sensation, and reflexes in the patient’s arms and legs.
In addition, your doctor may perform additional tests using imaging tests to find possible causes of whiplash, such as:
- Neck X-rays to diagnose symptoms caused by injuries using X-rays from various angles, such as dislocations or fractures, diseases caused by joint degeneration, such as arthritis, etc.
- A computerized tomography ( CT) scanhelps your doctor see images of your bones and any damage that may occur within them.
- A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses radio waves and a magnetic field to create three-dimensional images that show details of injuries to bones or tissues, such as damage to the spinal cord, discs, ligaments or nerves.
In some cases, doctors may use a PET scan or a DTI (Duffusion Tensor Imaging) technique to help diagnose, especially in cases of brain injury or concussion, as these tests can help assess the extent of injury to the brain or other areas.
Whiplash Treatment
Whiplash treatment varies depending on the symptoms and location of the injury. Doctors may use a variety of treatments. The goal of treatment is to relieve and control pain, help people regain normal neck movement, and return to their daily activities. For patients with mild whiplash, over-the-counter medications can be used in conjunction with home care. However, some patients may need prescription medications, along with specialized treatments and therapies.
Drug use
Initially, the patient may take common pain relievers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol or acetaminophen, naproxen, or aspirin. However, if the patient has a severe injury, the doctor may consider prescribing other medications, such as:
- Pain medications: In cases where the patient has severe pain, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants to treat neuropathic pain.
- Muscle relaxants help relieve muscle tension and provide short-term pain relief, but may make the patient feel drowsy or help patients with sleep problems get a better night’s rest.
- Local anesthesia, such as lidocaine, is injected into the painful muscle area to reduce pain and allow the patient to do physical therapy.
Physical therapy
If a patient has persistent pain or needs assistance with mobility therapy, the doctor may refer the patient to a physical therapist to help improve the pain and prevent future injuries. The length of time the patient needs physical therapy can vary depending on the patient’s symptoms.
Physical therapy may use exercises to strengthen muscles, restore posture and movement, or use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve neck pain and increase muscle strength. A physical therapist may also help the patient plan a self-guided home exercise schedule.
Exercise
Doctors may have patients exercise their neck muscles at home by exercising in various positions, such as rotating or tilting the neck back and forth, slowly bending or lifting the neck alternately, or rotating the shoulders to stretch the tendons and muscles and help relieve pain. Exercise will help patients move the neck better and be able to do their daily activities as usual. Before exercising, they should take a warm bath or apply a hot compress to the painful area.
In addition, doctors may treat whiplash symptoms by using a soft neck brace or other alternative treatments such as acupuncture , chiropractic, massage, and yoga or meditation therapy. In cases where a whiplash patient has a fractured or dislocated cervical vertebrae, along with symptoms of pinched nerves in the neck, the doctor may consider emergency surgery.
Whiplash Complications
Although whiplash symptoms often improve within two to three weeks with no complications after the injury, some people may have chronic pain that lasts for two to three months or even years after the injury. Symptoms may include severe neck pain, difficulty moving the neck or nearby areas, pain radiating to the arm, or headaches.
Complications often occur in patients who have been severely impacted or injured. They are more likely to occur in people who are older, have neck or lower back pain, have a history of serious car accidents, or have had whiplash in the past.
Whiplash Protection
Neck muscle injuries can have many causes and are often difficult to control. However, the risk can be reduced by taking precautions when exercising or playing sports that may cause impact to the neck and shoulders, and avoiding overdoing it or using too much force, such as heading a football with your head, boxing, or karate. In addition, be careful of accidents or activities in your daily life that may injure your neck.
