Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is injury to the neck. Whiplash is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck. In whiplash, the intervertebral joints (located between vertebrae), discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged.
Whiplash is caused by an abrupt backward and/or forward jerking motion of the head, often as a result of a car accident.Whiplash is medically known as cervical acceleration-deceleration (CAD) syndrome.Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. However, people who experience whiplash may develop one or more of the following symptoms, usually within the first few days after the injury: neck pain and stiffness; headaches; pain in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades; low back pain; pain or numbness in the arm and/or hand; irritability; sleep disturbances; fatigue; dizziness.
In most cases, injuries are to soft tissues such as the discs, muscles and ligaments, and cannot be seen on standard X-rays. Specialized imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs, may be required to diagnose damage to the discs, muscles or ligaments that could be causing the symptoms of whiplash.
For some people, whiplash symptoms can be so minor that they go away within a couple days. For others, the symptoms can become varied and chronic, ranging from severe pain to cognitive and emotional problems. However, sometimes whiplash symptoms can last months or longer. The long-term prognosis for whiplash patients can vary widely and usually correlates to the severity of initial symptoms.
If whiplash pain or related symptoms are severe and/or do not seem to be going away, medical care should be sought. Some combination of physical therapy, pain medication, injection therapy, massage could be used.
The majority of whiplash patients recover within three months. However, it is also possible for whiplash-related symptoms and disorders to become chronic. If a person experiences severe pain immediately following the impact, that’s a strong indication of more severe damage and should contact a doctor.
Voted as one of America’s Top Surgeons, Charles S. Theofilos, MD, Neurosurgeon and Founder of The Spine Center is a leading provider of the state-of-the-art, most comfortable and effective surgical, minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment options for a full range of cervical and spinal ailments, including stem cell therapy and artificial disc replacement. He was among a field of 20 top neuro and orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. chosen to participate in the groundbreaking Artificial Disc Study, which compared the clinical outcome of disc replacement versus traditional spinal fusion. A widely sought after educator and lecturer, Dr. Theofilos has offices in Palm Beach Gardens and Port St. Lucie. In an effort to maintain and honor the commitment to our patients, we will continue to accept Medicare and Medicare Advantage insurance plans for all new and follow up appointments.
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