Almost everyone is familiar with the term “whiplash”. We are also all familiar with the typical Hollywood depiction of someone who has suffered a “whiplash” injury walking around with a neck brace and a pained expression. So what is whiplash and should I worry about it if I am involved in an accident?
Whiplash is a relatively common injury that occurs to a person’s neck following a sudden acceleration-deceleration force, most commonly from motor vehicle accidents. The injury, however, can be sustained in other ways such as a fall from a bicycle or horse or even a ride on a roller coaster! The term “whiplash injury” describes damage to both the bone structures and soft tissues, while “whiplash associated disorders” describes a more severe and chronic condition. Whiplash is most commonly caused by a motor vehicle accident in which the car the person is riding in is not moving, and is struck from a vehicle from behind without notice. It is commonly thought the rear impact causes the head and neck to be forced into hyperextension as the seat pushes the person’s torso forward – and the unrestrained head and neck fall backwards. After a short delay the head and neck then recover and are thrown into a hyperflexed position.
Whiplash is not generally associated with any life-threatening injuries, but it can lead to a period of pain, discomfort and partial disability. Most people recover from whiplash injuries relatively quickly; however some continue to suffer symptoms for years after the injury. The most common symptoms of whiplash are: neck, shoulder or back pain; headache; dizziness; jaw pain; arm pain or weakness; visual disturbances; and ringing in the ears. These symptoms may be present for only a few days or may last months or even years. Additionally a soft tissue injury may flare up years later as we enter the natural aging process.
Whiplash is diagnosed by a physical exam, usually accompanied by x-rays. If the x-rays are inconclusive but the patient still has pain, the physician may order dynamic x-rays or an MRI. Treatment for a whiplash injury may, indeed, start with the infamous neck collar! The purpose of the collar is to reduce the range of motion of the neck and to prevent any further injury. A cervical collar, however, should not be used for longer than 72 hours as it may lead to prolonged inactivity. Studies have shown that inactivity may actually exasperate the problem, not help one recover. When the patient is ready, range of motion exercises and physical therapy have been shown to help improve symptoms and aid in recovery.
One of the reasons that it is so important to be checked out by a doctor following any type of accident is that a whiplash injury may not be felt immediately. Anyone who has been in a car accident can tell you that while they may have felt fine immediately following the “fender-bender”, the next day or two days later they woke up with excruciating pain. As with most injuries, studies show that the sooner you begin treatment for a whiplash injury, the better your chances for successful treatment.
If you have been involved in an accident, seek medical treatment immediately and then consult with an attorney at the law offices of Ledger & Associates at 1-800-300-0001 or visit us at www.ledgerlaw.com if you feel that someone else may be responsible for the financial and emotional costs associated with your injury.
