WHIPLASH - NECK
Whiplash results from sudden extension and flexion of the neck -- in short, some force snaps the head snaps forward and backward. It can injure intervertebral joints, discs,and ligaments, cervical muscles, or even nerve roots. Whiplash can be accompanied by concussions or TMJ injury. The effects can be short term or life long, and can leave the neck forever vulnerable to injury. The shoulders and arms often are also affected by whiplash, even to the extent of paralysis.
Whiplash -- the most common injury resulting from motor vehicle accidents -- accounts for 10% of all long-term disability conditions from motor vehicle accidents.While auto accidents are most often the cause, it can also be a result of violence -- especially domestic violence -- trauma at work, and even amusement park rides. Experts estimate that over 1,000,000 people are exposed to whiplash injury in the US every year. Approximately 25% of these cases result in chronic pain and disability. One in seven whiplash patients still has significant pain after more than 3 years; the average is 8 years.The pain from whiplash --as with sprains, strains, and contusions-- may be felt immediately or not until several days after the incident. Whiplash can be deadly. If it is severe enough, it can damage the brain stem and cause death. It is believed that most people on TWA Flight 800 were killed instantly by phenomenal whiplash, not in the fireball or crash.
When you feel the slightest pain -- whether at the accident scene, or hours or days later -- go to the doctor or hospital immediately. There are several methods to determine whiplash. Sometimes a simple physical examination is all that is needed while other physicians will take x-rays to determine there are no fractures of the vertebrae or to see how the alignment of the neck has been altered. If you're taken to the hospital from an accident, you'll probably be put in a hard neck brace on a back board. And yes, you may well be sent home with a foam-rubber neck brace. Recent developments have made these more comfortable. Although you may feel conspicuous, this brace will ease the stress on your neck, which is very important to healing. The courses of treatment will vary depending on the extent of your injury and if you have injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, or nerve roots: Physical therapy consisting of heat, cold, ultrasound, massage, and gradually increasing exercises. Treatment of whiplash realigns the neck, heals the muscles and helps regain flexibility. Contrary to widely held beliefs, resting may not be the answer. Some medical practitioners believe faster healing of whiplash is accomplished by continuance of normal activities.
