Causes and risk factors
Whiplash occurs during a road traffic accident, when sudden vigorous movement of head causes damage to muscles, tendons of neck. Due to trauma or injury to the neck, there is overstretching and tear injury to muscles and tendons in the neck region. This causes neck strain or known as ‘whiplash injury’. [Neck sprain is different where involvement of ligaments is more.]. The muscles are pulled beyond their normal range of motion. It develops more commonly in women than in men due to short stature and small muscle bulk. Athletes, amateur drivers, sportsmen are more prone to such injuries.
Clinical presentation
Whiplash injury is characterised by pain, tenderness, restricted movement in neck. There is tightness and stiffness of neck muscles. Patient experiences pain in head at base of skull. The pain is intensified with neck movement. In whiplash injury, a large group of articular and extra-articular disorders are characterized by pain that may involve simultaneously the neck, shoulder girdle, and upper extremity. There is numbness, tingling, weakness in the arms. Additional symptoms include nausea, vomiting after the injury. Neurologic signs depend on the extent of compression of nerve roots or the spinal cord such as difficulty in concentrating, ringing in the ears, confusion, dizziness followed by unconsciousness. Compression of the spinal cord may cause paraparesis or paraplegia.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the orthopaedic doctor helps in diagnosis. X ray of cervical spine is recommended. Imaging studies such as CT scan, MRI is useful for further evaluation.
Treatment
Treatment involves medicines such as analgesics, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants. Application of Ice pack is necessary which helps to reduce inflammation. Supportive care such as use of cervical belt, braces contributes further to the treatment. Physiotherapy will also help in managing whiplash injury.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating whiplash. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating whiplash.
