J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2016 Mar;23(1):63-69. 10.4184/jkss.2016.23.1.63.

Whiplash Injury

• Park MS
• Moon SH
• Kim TH
• Oh JK
• Yang MH

• KMID: 2161014
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2016.23.1.63

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Review of the literature.
OBJECTIVES
To present an overview of current research on whiplash injury. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There are controversies over the definition, symptoms, and treatment of whiplash injury.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Review of the relevant literature.
RESULTS
Symptoms of whiplash injury caused by an acceleration-deceleration force may present as widespread pain involving the neck or trapezius muscles, the interscapular area, the shoulders and arms, or as suboccipital headaches. Accompanying symptoms may include neurologic symptoms such as sensory dysfunction, motor weakness, or deep tendon reflex loss; non-specific symptoms such as dysphagia, dizziness, visual disturbances, tinnitus, deafness, memory loss, or temporo-mandibular joint disorders; and psychological symptoms such as depression, acute stress syndrome, or fear avoidance. The most important factor that facilitates spontaneous resolution of whiplash injury, which is a self-limiting disorder, has been shown to be prevention of the acute-to-chronic pain transition. Yet in spite of this knowledge the efficacy of several treatment methods for whiplash injury remains controversial.
CONCLUSIONS
The appropriateness of treatment for whiplash injury should be evaluated on the basis of up to date academic research on its diagnosis and natural history.

Keyword

Whiplash injury; Whiplash-associated disorders

MeSH Terms

Arm
Deafness
Deglutition Disorders
Depression
Diagnosis
Dizziness
Headache
Joints
Memory Disorders
Natural History
Neck
Neurologic Manifestations
Reflex, Stretch
Shoulder
Superficial Back Muscles
Tinnitus
Whiplash Injuries*

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Pre-existing foraminal stenosis of cervical spine at the oblique view of MRI.

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  Fig. 2. Anteroposterior (A) and lateral view (B) of cervical spine showing the alignment of spinous process, vertebral body and lateral mass.

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  Fig. 3. Right oblique view (A) and left oblique view (B) of cervical spine showing the alignment of facet joints.

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