Whiplash

Whiplash is a Layman’s term used to describe injury to the soft tissues in the neck sustained when one experiences a cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD). The term whiplash is used as it describes the rapid back-and-forth, whip-like, motion of the head that occurs.

While the physics of the injury is termed CAD, the term whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) is a description of the injury sustained and the symptoms associated with the injury. The most common cause of CAD-related WAP is automobile accidents where a vehicle is struck from behind.

What symptoms are associated with whiplash? 

Often the symptoms of whiplash will not occur until several days after an accident, you might wake up feeling pain and stinging sensations in your neck. The pain may then spread, radiating down through the arms and middle back, even extending into your legs. A pins-and-needles effect is a common complaint as well.

How is whiplash diagnosed?

Your medical history will be taken into consideration first. If you have been in an accident that could cause whiplash further examination may warrant x-rays or other medical imaging such as an MRI or CAT scan to determine the severity of your injury.

What treatment is available for whiplash victims? 

In the past the go-to treatment for whiplash was a soft collar placed around the neck to limit mobility; modern medicine has ruled that as the WRONG thing to do for more than a few days. The most effective treatment for a whiplash injury is immediate, light physical therapy as strengthening exercise promotes healing and prevents further problems, (unless it’s a level 4 injury, as listed below of course).

A whiplash injury that lasts longer than six months is referred to as whiplash syndrome. Whiplash syndrome is classified on five levels, (0-4), with the lowest level meaning no pain and level 4 meaning a fractured or dislocated vertebra. Fifteen percent of whiplash results in chronic pain. Early Chicago pain management can help prevent that from occurring.

Levels 0-3 can be managed with outpatient treatments and physical therapy while level 4 requires hospitalization. Physical therapy exercises for 0-3 level injuries include light cervical rotation (turning the head side to side) until it begins to become painful, flexion and extension (nodding the head slowly up and down as far as possible) until it becomes painful.

Also, flexion/extension and rotation of the shoulder joints; these exercises are performed 3-4 times daily. Other treatments can include massage, acupuncture, non-narcotic analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxers, trigger point injections and facet joint injections for temporary pain relief.

What are the expectations when a patient gets treatment? 

Depending on the level of the injury, a person suffering whiplash who undergoes some form of treatment will have different expectations. With the lower levels of injury typically a few weeks of therapy can restore normal functioning, but persons suffering level 4 injury may become permanently disabled and require ongoing treatment.

How is the procedure/treatment performed?

Physical therapy is typically done on an outpatient basis for lower-level injuries; higher-level injuries may require a hospital visit.

The facet injections are performed in a procedure center, maintain extremely low risk and may be repeated as necessary.

How long do the benefits of the facet injections last with this condition? 

This injection provides benefits typically for a few weeks to a few months for most patients. For higher level injury the procedure will have to be repeated.

What risk or side effects are associated with whiplash?

Most patients recover within a few weeks with proper therapy, however, approximately 15% of patients will experience a long-term disability due to their injuries.

How successful are they in the relief of pain?

As stated above, half of patients suffering a whiplash-related injury usually recover within a few weeks with no long-term effects. However, for the half that experience long-term effects, the effectiveness of different treatments on an individual cannot be anticipated.

You may find relief from one or several available treatments for whiplash, discuss with your Chicago pain management doctor which treatment may be best for you. Premier Pain & Spine offers top treatment our pain management clinics in the Chicago area. Most insurance is accepted, call (847) 519 4701 for more information and scheduling today!