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Whiplash

(Cervical Sprain and Neck Muscle Strain)

Definition

Whiplash is a neck injury that includes:
  • Spraining the neck ligaments
  • Straining the neck muscles
  • Possible bone and nerve injury
Process Leading to Whiplash
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Causes

Whiplash can occur with any sudden, violent, backward jerk of the head or neck.

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of whiplash include:
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Sporting events that include full contact
  • Falls
  • Assaults

Symptoms

Symptoms often develop in the hours after the injury. They tend to reach their peak within 24 hours of the injury.
Symptoms may include:
  • Stiff neck
  • Neck pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Shoulder pain and stiffness
  • Decreased range of neck motion
  • Muscle spasms
  • Headache
  • Pain, numbness, or tingling extending down an arm
  • Lightheadedness
  • Blurred vision
  • Unusual fatigue

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Most whiplash injuries do not show up on imaging tests. Your doctor may order some tests to make sure that no other injuries have occurred.
Your doctor may want to take images of the neck to look for further damage. Images may be taken with:
An EMG may also be done. It can help show signs of nerve damage.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Options may include:
  • Heat or ice packs—Talk with your doctor about using heat or ice to relieve muscle tension and pain. Place a towel between the ice or heat pack and the skin.
  • Medications such as:
    • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs)
    • Over-the-counter pain relievers
    • Prescription pain relievers
    • Muscle relaxants
  • Moving as able—strict rest may slow recovery
  • Physical therapy
  • Joint manipulation of the spine done by a chiropractor or other trained provider
If you are diagnosed with whiplash, follow your doctor's instructions.

Prevention

There are no guidelines for preventing whiplash. It often occurs due to an unexpected event.

RESOURCES

American Academy of Family Physicians http://www.aafp.org

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://www.aaos.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org

Healthy Canadians http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca

References

Cervical sprain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated March 18, 2013. Accessed March 18, 2013..

Conlin A. Bhogal S. Sequeira K. Teasell R. Treatment of whiplash-associated disorders--part II: Medical and surgical interventions. Pain Research & Management. 10(1):33-40, 2005.

Conlin A. Bhogal S. Sequeira K. Teasell R. Treatment of whiplash-associated disorders--part I: Non-invasive interventions. Pain Research & Management. 10(1):21-32, 2005.

Curatolo M. Arendt-Nielsen L. Petersen-Felix S. Evidence, mechanisms, and clinical implications of central hypersensitivity in chronic pain after whiplash injury. Clinical Journal of Pain. 20(6):469-76, 2004 Nov-Dec.

Neck sprain. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00410. Updated August 2007. Accessed March 18, 2013.

NINDS whiplash information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/whiplash/whiplash.htm. Updated September 19, 2012. Accessed March 18, 2013.

Verhagen AP. Scholten-Peeters GG. van Wijngaarden S. de Bie RA. Bierma-Zeinstra SM. Conservative treatments for whiplash. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. (2):CD003338, 2007.

Revision Information

  • Reviewer:
  • Review Date: 02/2013 -
  • Update Date: 03/18/2013 -

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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