SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Neck pain may be present directly after the injury or may be delayed in onset for several days. In addition to neck pain, additional signs and symptoms may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments (myofascial injuries), headache, blurry vision, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling (paresthesia), or shoulder or back pain. In addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression. Severe whiplash injury may result in cervical disc herniation, cervical fracture as well as spinal cord and/or spinal nerve root injury in the neck. Severe whiplash can also result in spinal ligament compromise leading to risk for spinal segment instability.

Post-traumatic neck X-rays of an uncomplicated whiplash injury of the neck are often normal with the exception of the presence of reduced normal cervical curve (tendency towards a straight cervical spine) which occurs secondary to muscle spasm (muscular guarding). Whiplash usually responds favorably to a course of conservative (non-operative) care. An underlying condition such as a disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and/or other degenerative disorder involving the neck will predispose an individual to a greater degree of soft tissue damage with whiplash.

The most common symptom associated with whiplash is neck and/or upper back pain. The pain associated with whiplash may be experienced immediately, at the time of trauma or it may develop hours or days later. Some individuals experience very little pain while others may experience disabling pain. The signs and symptoms associated with whiplash injury include:

• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Arm pain
• Arm and/or hand numbness/tingling (paresthesia)
• Upper back pain
• Neck muscle tightness or spasms
• Upper back muscle tightness or spasms
• Burning or tingling
• Blurry vision
• Headaches

CAUSES

Whiplash refers to a strain/sprain injury to the neck. It can occur as the result of a variety of physical mechanisms such as:

• An motor vehicle accident
• an athletic (sports) injury
• a fall
• being punched or shaken