Whiplash Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

What is a whiplash injury?

Whiplash injury is a neck injury caused by a rapid and forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck that causes your muscles and ligaments to extend beyond their normal range of motion. Such a jerky movement of your neck can lead to tearing of ligaments, tendons and muscles.  

Common causes of whiplash injury

Any incident that puts a strain on the soft tissues of the neck can lead to whiplash injury. This includes:

• Rear-end car collision

• Physical abuse (being shaken or struck)

• Minor accidents such as cycling collision

• Trauma due to fall

• Blows to the head with a heavy object

• Contact sports such as football, boxing and martial arts

Whiplash symptoms

The symptoms of whiplash injury may occur within hours or sometimes even days after injury. If you have a whiplash injury, you are most likely to experience the following symptoms:

• Neck pain and stiffness (might be worse upon neck movement)

• Reduced range of motion of the neck

• Headache, especially at the base of skull

• Pain in the shoulder, arms and upper back

• Tingling and numbness in the arm

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

In some extreme cases, the patient might also experience other symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing sensation in the ears), blurred vision, inability to concentrate, discomfort in sleeping, memory loss, and irritability.

Experiencing any of the above symptoms? Don't delay seeking medical attention. Book an appointment with Thomson Medical's specialists for a comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment plan.

Whiplash associated disorder

Whiplash associated disorder (WAD) is a term used to describe the collection of symptoms that occur as a result of a whiplash injury. There are five grades of WAD according to the severity:

• Grade 0: No Symptoms

  • No physical sign of injury, no complaints of pain

• Grade 1: Minor Injury

  • No physical sign of injury, presence of neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness on touch

• Grade 2: Moderate Injury

  • Signs of injury such as swelling and bruising, complaints of neck pain that radiate to the head, face, shoulder or back, muscle spasms in the neck, neck pain on touch

• Grade 3: Neurological Signs

  • Presence of neurological symptoms such as numbness and tingling sensation in the neck, upper arms, shoulder and back, muscle weakness, headaches, changes of vision, dizziness, vertigo, hoarseness of voice and difficulty in swallowing

• Grade 4: Severe Injury

  • Similar symptoms as Grade 3, but with much more severe symptoms. Might have a bone fracture or dislocation in the neck

Complications of whiplash injury

For some people, recovery from a whiplash injury is possible within a few weeks. Others experience pain that could last for a few months to even years following the injury. This happens especially if you have severe damage to the neck ligaments, joints, discs, tendons or muscles.

Other possible complications of whiplash injury include:

• Severe neck pain

• Limited range of motion of neck

• Spread of pain towards the arm

Diagnosing whiplash injuries

To diagnose a whiplash injury, you will most likely undergo a physical examination and even a few imaging tests.

Your doctor will most likely start by asking you details about your injury, medical history and relevant details. Next, they will proceed with a physical examination of your head, neck, shoulder and arms to check on range of motion and look for areas of tenderness.

The doctor may order additional imaging tests to assess the extent of damage within the soft tissues of the neck and rule out other possible causes of neck pain. These imaging tests might include:

• X ray

  • It is the most basic imaging test that helps in ruling out other causes of neck pain such as arthritis.

• Computed tomography (CT) scan:

  • CT scans are used to visualise the images of your bones, muscles, fats and organs. This is more superior than regular X-ray imaging.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: 

  • MRI helps in visualising the soft tissues of the neck and its neighbouring structures in detail.

What is the treatment for whiplash injury?

Whiplash treatment is highly dependent on the severity of the injury as well as your age and general health condition. Your doctor will go for conservative management, which mostly consists of pain relief and physical therapies.To manage your injury, you can try the following approaches: 

• Rest

• Ice compression on the affected area

• Pain relief in either oral form or topical ointment form. Drugs might include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen and muscle relaxants.

• Neck (cervical) collar application

• Gentle neck movement after 24 hours following the injury

• Physical therapy

What are the physical therapies to improve whiplash recovery?

Physical therapy plays an important role when it comes to easing the pain and relieving the whiplash symptoms. A patient with a whiplash injury is advised to take part in certain therapies that assist in fast and efficient recovery.

These physical therapies include:

• Neck strengthening exercises: 

  • These exercises help in strengthening the neck muscles and improving their overall flexibility. 

• Maintaining good postures:

  • A good posture helps in improving the symptoms of pain and prevents it from getting worse. 

• Relaxation techniques:

  • Relaxing the muscles with neck massages protects them from straining and contributes to a speedy recovery.

If you’re experiencing neck pain, it is always a good idea to consult an orthopaedic specialist to get a better understanding of the underlying cause. This way, you can learn about the right steps to alleviate your pain as soon as possible.

Whiplash can be dangerous if left untreated. If you are suffering from the symptoms listed above, consult with a specialist from Thomson Medical to discuss which treatment plan suits you best.

FAQ

Should I go to the hospital for whiplash?

Yes. If you think you have a whiplash injury, you should visit a doctor even if you feel fine right after an accident, as neck pain can develop later. It's better to have a doctor check your neck to be safe.

How long can a whiplash injury last?

If you have a minor or a moderate injury, you will most likely recover in a few days or weeks. On the other hand, a more severe injurymight take a few months to fully recover. 

What happens if you leave whiplash untreated?

If a whiplash injury is left untreated, it may lead to longer-lasting problems. Your neck pain might get worse over time instead of better. What starts as mild discomfort could develop into constant pain that affects your daily life. You may find it harder to move your neck properly. This can make simple activities like driving or checking your blind spot more difficult. 

While some mild whiplash symptoms may improve on their own, it's best to have a doctor check your injury. They can recommend proper treatment to help you recover and prevent long-term problems.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for general knowledge only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. For personalised recommendations and tailored advice, please consult a specialist by requesting an appointment with Thomson Medical today.