A whiplash is an injury to the spine caused by an abrupt jerking motion. It could be backward, forward or from the side. The soft tissue in the spine is strained and stretched after the body is thrown in a sudden and forceful jerk. This type of injury occurs in car crashes involving sudden braking, and can also occur in physical activities such as diving. Whiplash presents with headaches and stiffness in the neck and the back of the head. These symptoms usually appear within the first couple of days after the event. If the patient experiences memory loss or unconsciousness after a collision, a doctor should immediately be consulted. Other symptoms include severe pains in the back of the head with pins and needles in the shoulders and arms.
In the first 24 hours after the injury, an ice bag applied to the neck will help to relieve inflammation. Bags of frozen peas are good as ice packs because they can mould to the body very easily. If normal painkillers such as paracetamol do not help, consult your GP.
Diagnosis is made by a doctor on the background of the mechanism of injury and the clinical symptoms. Whiplash cannot be seen on x rays or other scans such as MRIs. Sometimes X-rays are taken to exclude fractures or dislocation of the cervical spine.
Research has shown that you should try to follow a normal routine after the whiplash injury, as those patients who rest for several weeks and months or wear a soft collar recover more slowly. Patients with acute pain in the cervical spine are advised to start their neck exercises as soon as possible and to get out of bed within two to three days.
The risk of after-effects is small and most patients recover very quickly. However it must be kept in mind that whiplash is a strain injury and the pain can last for weeks.
Continuing symptoms may develop after whiplash trauma. This is called whiplash syndrome where patients suffer continuous headaches and pain in the neck region, reduced movement at the back of the neck, tingling in the arms, and lumbar pains.
Whiplash syndrome can be difficult to treat. Treatment is to prevent further strain and to encourage a quick return to normal everyday activities. With extreme whiplash injury residual long-term neck discomfort can occur and these symptoms can persists for months and even years.
After fractures have been excluded, the patient should start exercising and pursuing normal activities as soon as possible. It may be necessary to supplement an exercise programme with the help of physiotherapy with painkillers.
Paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be given for short periods for pain in the back of the neck and headaches. A doctor should be consulted first.
Asia Yousaf - ASIA YOUSAF
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