Whiplash
Whiplash, or WAD (whiplash-associated disorders) refers to a series of neck injuries caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck - hyperextension (over-extension) injury to the neck. In many cases whiplash is the result of being struck from behind, for example, by a fast moving vehicle in an automobile accident.
Most people associate whiplash with one vehicle being hit in the rear by another vehicle - the driver in front sustains the whiplash. However, the impact can come from any direction and the head may move backwards or sideways, not only forwards initially. Whiplash injury may also be sustained in various ways, such as from falling off a bicycle or a horse.
What are the symptoms of a whiplash injury?
A symptom is something the patient feels and reports, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor detect. For example, pain may be a symptom while a rash may be a sign.
A whiplash injury typically takes from 12 to 24 hours after the accident or blow to develop. At the time of the incident any swelling or bruising to the neck muscles will not be apparent straight away. In most cases the discomfort, pain and stiffness is much worse on the following day, and may continue to worsen as each day goes by. A person with a whiplash injury may experience:
- A loss (or reduction) of movement in the neck
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Neck stiffness
- The back of the neck feels tender
- The following signs and symptoms are also possible:
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the arms and hands
- Numbness or pins and needles in the arms and hands
- Muscle spasms
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Swallowing difficulties
- Vision problems (vision may be blurred)
- A feeling that you are moving or spinning (vertigo)
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Sleep disturbances
- The following less common signs and symptoms are also possible:
- Irritability
- Memory loss
- Poor concentration
Headaches, dizziness, problems swallowing and vision problems should not last long. If they do, tell your doctor. These could be signs, symtoms and consequences of other injury.
Be aware that certain symptoms of whiplash are also symptoms of Brain injury. A severe whiplash injury, think of shaken baby syndrome, can result in damage to the brain. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of child abuse. It refers to brain injury that happens to the child. It occurs when someone shakes a baby or slams or throws a baby against an object. A child could be shaken by the arms, legs, chest, or shoulders.
A coup-contrecoup injury, for example, is common in the hyperflexion/hyperextension process.
