Synonyms
Cervical spine – whiplash injury, whiplash phenomenon, acceleration injury of the cervical spine, cervical spine syndrome, cervical spine ST, cervical spine strain, cervical spine distortion
Definition Whiplash
A whiplash injury (cervical spine distortion) is a soft tissue injury to the cervical spine (cervical spine), often caused by a rear-end collision. Due to the unforeseen strong flexion and hyperextension of the cervical spine, distortions, painful steep postures and muscle tensions in the neck and cervical musculature occur. Under certain circumstances, tears in the anterior longitudinal ligament or injuries to the intervertebral disc can also be caused. Whiplash is always based on a strain (compression, dislocation) of the cervical spine.
Cause
As already mentioned, the most common cause of whiplash injury is a traffic accident. The head is moved from front to back or vice versa without the person being able to counteract. After the impact the head is moved again jerkily in the opposite direction in case of whiplash.
Due to the jerky forces acting on the muscles and the cervical vertebrae involved, complex injuries can occur under certain circumstances. Whiplash injuries cannot always be externally proven, so that this clinical picture appears to be highly controversial with regard to claims for damages. There are tendencies to call the clinical picture not “whiplash” but cervical spine distortion in order to better differentiate the psychosomatic concomitant symptoms (“if I have whiplash, then … “) from the physical injuries. Of course the clinical picture of whiplash is not limited to car accidents. Whenever jerky movements occur unintentionally, there is always the danger of whiplash, for example in martial arts, but also when visiting amusement parks or similar (roller coasters).
Symptoms
After a relative period without symptoms, pain in the neck area, combined with a feeling of stiffness in the muscles and headaches, occurs after a few hours, possibly even a few days in the case of whiplash. Radiation of the pain to the back of the head and a perceived heaviness of the head may occur as accompanying symptoms. Depending on the severity of the trauma, other symptoms are possible in addition to the “common” symptoms, which are listed below without any description:
- Swindle
- Swallowing disorders
- Sleep disorder
- Visual disorders
- Ear noises (tinnitus)
- Numbness in the area of the arms, face and shoulders
The occurrence of dizziness is common after whiplash.
It often lasts for several days to weeks and can have various causes. If the dizziness occurs, for example, when turning the head or changing the position of the body, it is a so-called paroxysmal positional vertigo. It is caused by irritation of the vestibular system and can be easily and effectively treated by positioning exercises. In rare cases, however, the vertigo can also be caused by more serious damage to the brain. Therefore, if dizziness occurs, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the cause.
