Overview

First used in 1928, the non-medical term ‘whiplash’, otherwise known as ‘acceleration flexion-extension neck injury’, ’cervical sprain’, ‘cervical strain’, or ‘hyperextension injury’ or ‘soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury’, describes neck pain following an injury to its ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Whiplash injury is caused when the neck undergoes an excessive movement or force, causing it to move beyond its normal range of motion.

Causes

Whiplash happens as a result of road traffic accidents, sporting activities, slips, trips and falls, blows to the head, assault, and repetitive strain (e.g. holding the phone between the neck and the shoulder or an incorrectly positioned computer screen at work are typical, non-acute causes), whereby the neck’s soft tissue is characteristically often subject to excessive or repetitive movement or force, causing it to strain.

However, whiplash is most commonly caused by road traffic accidents, and the severity of the injury may not always reflect the speed at which the vehicles were travelling or the damage to the vehicles themselves. Speeds as slow as 15mph has been known to cause whiplash injuries, regardless of whether or not the occupants of the vehicle were wearing seatbelts.

Symptoms

It’s vital to be aware that while the symptoms of whiplash injuries often appear immediately, they can also often occur hours or even days after the initial injury. It’s also important to note that the sooner after the incident that symptoms develop, the greater the likelihood of more serious damage.

-        Headaches;

-        Neck pain;

-        Swelling in the neck;

-        Tenderness down the back of the neck;

-        Muscle spasms (side or back of the neck);

-        Trouble moving the neck or turning the head;

-        Pain shooting from the neck into shoulder(s) or arm(s).

When should I seek medical attention?

The best time to seek medical attention is immediately after the incident has occurred. The risks associated with a suspected neck injury are far too great to attempt to self-diagnose or ignore. Wherever possible, a brace should be worn immediately to prevent further damage during transit to the hospital.

Depending upon the severity of a car accident, emergency paramedics may or may not take the patient to an emergency department immediately as part of routine procedure.

If the patient it taken to be treated at hospital, a cervical collar will be placed around their neck and their body strapped to a firm board to prevent any further injury during transit before receiving a thorough medical examination.

If the patient is not taken to hospital and they suffer any of the following symptoms, it’s vital that they dial 999 for an ambulance and do not attempt to reach the hospital themselves:

-        Headaches

-        Dizziness

-        Neck pain

-        Pain in one or both arms

-        Shoulder pain

-        Weakness, tingling, or loss of function in the arms or legs

Similar Pages

Claiming compensation for a car accident

Symptoms of Whiplash

Starting a whiplash claim

Serious whiplash

Different forms of whiplash

Road traffic accidents

Car crash whiplash

Different types of Whiplash