Whiplash Injury: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate whiplash:

Grade 1

  • Cephalgia (headache)
  • Neck pain
  • Forced posture due to pain
  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Nausea (nausea)/vomiting
  • Myogelosis (nodular or bulging, clearly circumscribed hardening in the muscles; colloquially referred to as hard tension)
  • Insomnia (sleep disorders)
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Complaint-free interval > 1 hour immediately after injury (usually symptoms do not peak until one to three days later)

Grade 2

  • Cephalgia (headache)
  • Neck pain
  • Forced posture due to pain
  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Nausea (nausea)/vomiting
  • Myogelosis (nodular or bulging, clearly circumscribed hardening in the muscles; colloquially referred to as hard tension)
  • Insomnia (sleep disorders)
  • Complaint-free interval < 1 hour

Grade 3

  • Cephalgia (headache)
  • Neck pain
  • Forced posture due to pain
  • Vertigo (dizziness)
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Myogelosis (nodular or bulging, clearly circumscribed hardening in the muscles; colloquially known as hard tension).
  • Insomnia (sleep disorders)
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Visual disturbances
  • Paresthesias (false sensations) in the arms/hands and/or head.
  • Vigilance disorders (disorders of consciousness in which sustained attention (vigilance) is impaired).
  • Gait unsteadiness
  • No symptom-free interval