Whiplash injury Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

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Whiplash injury Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

A whiplash injury is a type of injury to the neck that occurs as a result of fast and strong movements of the neck back and forth.

This type of injury often results from a car accident being hit from behind. But it can also occur as a result of a sports accident, physical violence, or other types of trauma.

The most common signs and symptoms of a whiplash injury are pain and stiffness in the neck and headache. Most people with this condition will experience improvement within a few weeks if they get proper treatment. Treatment includes pain medication and certain physical activities. However, some people can experience long-term neck pain and other complications.

Reason

Whiplash injuries generally occur when the head is pushed forward and backward forcefully and rapidly. The movement can injure the bones found in the spine, discs between the bones, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and other tissues found in the neck.

Whiplash injuries can occur as a result of:

  • Motor vehicle accident

Getting hit from behind is a major cause of whiplash injuries.

  • Physical abuse

Whiplash injuries can occur when a person is punched or shaken forcibly. This is one type of injury observed in shaken baby syndrome.

  • Contact sports

Injuries from being tripped while playing soccer or other sports-related injuries can also cause whiplash injuries.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a whiplash injury often, but not always, appear within 24 hours of the time of injury. These signs may include any of the following:

  • Pain and stiffness in the neck
  • Pain that worsens with movement of the neck
  • Reduced ability to move the neck
  • Headache, often starting at the bottom of the head
  • Pain in the shoulders, upper back, or arms
  • Tingling or numbness in the arms
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache

Some people also experience some of the following symptoms:

  • Blurry vision
  • ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Sleep disorders
  • Easily distracted
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Memory impairment
  • Depression

Diagnosis

The doctor can ask questions about the events experienced and any complaints. After that, the doctor can also ask questions related to the frequency and severity of signs and symptoms. Apart from that, it can also be from the impact of complaints on daily activities.

During a physical examination, the doctor will evaluate the condition of the head, neck, and arms. The doctor can evaluate the following things:

  • Range of motion of the neck and shoulders
  • There are certain movements that cause pain
  • Presence of tenderness in the neck, shoulders, or back
  • Reflexes, strength, and sensation in the extremities of the body

Some imaging tests that can be done to rule out other health conditions include:

  • X-rays. These can identify fractures, dislocations, or arthritis in the neck.
  • Computerized tomography (CT). This special X-ray examination can produce images of the bone and show any damage to the bone that has occurred.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This imaging examination uses radio waves and a magnetic field to produce three-dimensional images. In addition to injuries to the bones, an MRI can also detect soft tissue injuries, such as damage to the spinal cord, discs, or ligaments.

Handling

The goals of treatment for whiplash injuries are:

  • Control pain
  • Restores the ability to move the neck
  • Return to carrying out daily activities as usual

The treatment that is carried out depends on the degree of severity of the whiplash injury that occurs.

Several types of treatment that can be done are:

  • Overcome pain. Doctors can recommend several types of treatment to deal with the pain you are experiencing, depending on the degree of severity. Treatments include resting the neck, applying cold pressure to the neck, prescribing pain medications, or injecting certain drugs if other methods don’t work.
  • The doctor may recommend a series of stretching and movement activities to restore the range of motion of the neck so the person can return to daily physical activities. Exercise can include turning the neck to both sides, tilting the head to the left and right, rotating the shoulders, bowing the head, and so on.
  • Physical therapy. In people who experience constant pain and need help to carry out a range of motion activities, the doctor may recommend consulting a physical therapist. In a physical therapy session, activities can be done to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and restore normal movement.
  • Use of protective equipment. The use of protective equipment such as a soft foam cervical collar can be used to maintain the position of the neck and head. However, this requires judgment and is only necessary in some cases.

Prevention

To prevent whiplash injuries, various prevention methods can be applied, for example by driving a car with caution, avoiding contact sports, and so on.

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