Whiplash
What is whiplash?
Whiplash or whiplash associated disorders (WAD) are injuries that happen after an acceleration-deceleration movement, which usually occur following a car accident or blow to the head during sport. Whiplash can affect the muscles, ligaments, joints and nerves in the head and neck area.
Figure 1: Neck Pain - Whiplash - Physio Frenchs Forest, Physio Macquarie Park
There are a wide variety of symptoms such as neck pain, neck stiffness, muscle spasm of the neck and headaches. These symptoms do not always present immediately post injury and can show themselves hours or days later. If significant trauma to the head is received, whiplash may be masked by loss of consciousness or concussion symptoms and therefore not present until later.
Figure 2: Neck Pain - Whiplash - Physio Frenchs Forest, Physio Macquarie Park
Upon presentation to a physiotherapist, we will clear any red flags such as fracture and neurological issues. Initial treatment will consist of an in-depth assessment of signs and symptoms, some gentle manual therapy and exercises to do at home. It is important to reintroduce range as motion as soon as possible, to avoid any lingering stiffness or loss in mobility.
It is very important to start physiotherapy as soon as possible to treat Whiplash– in fact, if a patient still has symptoms 3 months after the accident, they are likely to remain symptomatic for at least two years, and possibly for much longer. Only 50% of people with injury from whiplash will have a full recovery, and up to 25% may have mild levels of disability and the rest moderate to severe pain and disability.
What helps with whiplash?
Use heat on the neck as much as possible
Encourage regular movements
Engage the use of the deep neck muscles be performing gentle physiotherapy exercises
Avoid sports and exercises that recruit the larger superficial muscles such as the upper trapezius.
References:
Bragg KJ, Varacallo M. Cervical (Whiplash) Sprain. InStatPearls [Internet] 2019 Apr 10. StatPearls Publishing.Available from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541016/
McClune T. et al. (2002). Whiplash associated disorders: a review of the literature to guide patient information and advice. Emergency Medical Journal,19, pp 499–506.
Ritchie C, Hendrikz J, Kenardy J, Sterling M. Derivation of a clinical prediction rule to identify both chronic moderate/severe disability and full recovery following whiplash injury. PAIN®. 2013 Oct 1;154(10):2198-206. Available from: http://www.udptclinic.com/journalclub/sojc/13-14/November/Ritchie%202013.pdf
Stace R. and Gwilym S. « Whiplash associated disorder: a review of current pain concepts. Bone & Joint 360, vol. 4, nr. 1. 2015.
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