Whiplash (medicine)
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
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| Whiplash | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Orthopedics, Neurology, Physical medicine and rehabilitation |
| Symptoms | Neck pain, headache, dizziness, shoulder pain, back pain |
| Complications | N/A |
| Onset | Sudden onset |
| Duration | Days to weeks, sometimes longer |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Motor vehicle collision, sports injuries, falls |
| Risks | Previous neck injury, high-speed collision |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis, imaging studies |
| Differential diagnosis | Cervical fracture, cervical disc herniation, concussion |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Pain management, physical therapy, rest |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Varies, some may have chronic symptoms |
| Frequency | Common in motor vehicle accidents |
| Deaths | N/A |
Whiplash is a non-medical term describing a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck[1] associated with rapid acceleration-deceleration forces. It occurs most commonly in motor vehicle accidents. The term "whiplash" was first used in 1928, and despite its not being a medical term, it is commonly used to describe a range of injuries.
Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms reported by patients that are associated with the whiplash mechanism of injury include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headache
- Shoulder pain and stiffness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Jaw pain
- Arm pain
- Arm weakness
- Visual disturbances
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Back pain[2]
Causes[edit | edit source]
Whiplash is commonly associated with motor vehicle accidents, usually when the vehicle has been hit in the rear.[3]
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The diagnosis of whiplash is usually made on the basis of the patient's history and the clinical examination.[4]
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment of whiplash is usually conservative and includes:
- Physical therapy
- Pain medication
- Possibly injections[5]
See also[edit | edit source]
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|---|---|
 |
 |
- ↑ , Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders: redefining "whiplash" and its management, Spine, Vol. 20(Issue: 8 Suppl), pp. 1S–73S, DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199501001-00001, PMID: 7604354,
- ↑ , A review and methodologic critique of the literature refuting whiplash syndrome, Spine, Vol. 24(Issue: 1), pp. 86–96, DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199901010-00022, PMID: 9921598,
- ↑ , A review and methodologic critique of the literature refuting whiplash syndrome, Spine, Vol. 24(Issue: 1), pp. 86–96, DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199901010-00022, PMID: 9921598,
- ↑ , A review and methodologic critique of the literature refuting whiplash syndrome, Spine, Vol. 24(Issue: 1), pp. 86–96, DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199901010-00022, PMID: 9921598,
- ↑ , A review and methodologic critique of the literature refuting whiplash syndrome, Spine, Vol. 24(Issue: 1), pp. 86–96, DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199901010-00022, PMID: 9921598,
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
