What is whiplash?
Whiplash, also known as syndrome whiplash is a common injury that occurs in the cervical spine as a result of a sudden movement and unexpected of the neck. This injury can have serious and long-lasting, if not diagnosed and treated properly.
Definition
Whiplash occurs when the head is moved abruptly forward and backward or side-to-side, causing a strain on the muscles and ligaments of the cervical spine. This may cause an injury to the intervertebral discs, nerves and vertebrae of the cervical spine.
Causes
Whiplash occurs most often in traffic accidents, especially in shock by reaching back. It can also occur in contact sports such as football or rugby, or in sports that involve sudden movements of the neck, such as boxing or gymnastics.
The movement is sudden and violent in the neck can trigger a series of injuries, including fractures, dislocations, slipped disc, muscle injuries, and nerve damage. In addition, some risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing whiplash, such as having a cervical spine weak or injured previously, or have an advanced age.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of whiplash is made through a clinical evaluation and, in some cases, using imaging tests. The goal of the clinical evaluation is to identify the symptoms and signs of the injury, which may include neck pain, stiffness, headache, dizziness, and weakness in the arms. You can also perform a neurological examination to detect any damage to the nerves.
In some cases, you may perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, ct scans, or mri, to assess the severity of the injury and rule out other injuries, such as fractures or disc herniations.
Treatment
The treatment of whiplash injury depends on the severity of the lesion and may include conservative measures or interventions are more invasive.
Conservative measures: the conservative measures are the initial treatment for most people with whiplash mild to moderate. These may include:
- Rest: it is recommended to avoid activities that can worsen the injury, such as sports or tasks that require awkward postures of the neck.
- Medications: pain relievers may be prescribed or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: physical therapy can help to improve the strength, flexibility and range of motion of the neck.
- Manual therapy: manual therapy, such as osteopathic manipulation or massage therapy, can help relieve muscle tension and improve circulation.
In more severe cases of whiplash, it may be necessary invasive interventions to relieve pain and inflammation, such as:
- Epidural injections: epidural injections of corticosteroids may help reduce the inflammation and pain in the cervical spine.
- Surgery: in severe cases, it may be necessary to undergo surgery to fix a fracture, or a herniated disc that may be affecting the cervical spine.
Rehabilitation
After receiving treatment for whiplash, rehabilitation is an important step to fully recover and prevent future injuries. The rehabilitation may include strengthening and stretching exercises to improve the strength and flexibility of the neck, as well as relaxation techniques to relieve muscle tension.
The rehabilitation may also include patient education about techniques, injury prevention, such as the use of seat belts and head restraints in vehicles, and the adoption of a correct posture while performing daily tasks that involve the neck.
Back action
The return to action after a whiplash injury should be gradual and supervised by a health care professional. The return to activity may vary according to the severity of the injury, and the activity that you want to make. For example, for people who want to return to contact sports, it is necessary to follow a program of supervised training to strengthen and relax the neck before returning to the activity.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Bibliography and Webgrafía
- Kovacs Foundation. Clinical practice guideline on the treatment of pain of cervical and lumbar. 2007.
- Cagnie B, Cools A, De Loose V, et al. Evidence-based treatment of acute whiplash-associated disorders: a literature review. J Man Manip Ther. 2009;17(3):E74-E89. doi:10.1179/jmt.2009.17.3.74
- Mayou R. Post-traumatic stress disorder. BMJ. 2003;327(7428):1343-1345. doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7428.1343
- Jull GA, Sterling M, Kenardy J, Beller E. Does the presence of sensory hypersensitivity influence outcomes of physical rehabilitation for chronic whiplash?–A preliminary RCT. Pain. 2007;129(1-2):28-34. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2006.09.011
- https://www.fisioterapia-online.com/articulos/que-es-un-latigazo-cervical
- https://www.fisioterapia-online.com/articulos/esguince-o-latigazo-cervical-una-lesion-muy-molesta-y-dificil-de-curar
