Whiplash
Whiplash is a general term used to describe to the mechanism of injury in an automobile accident. It is most often used in explaining the injuries incurred when you are the occupant of a vehicle which is struck from behind. The initial movement of the occupant is the body moving forward rapidly with the head and neck bent forward. The seat back contacts the back pushing forward which forces the head and neck to extend backward strongly. The seat flexes essentially loading up energy to then spring the body forward with the head lagging behind initially. The seat belt/shoulder harness then abruptly stop the forward motion of the trunk and the head and neck are whipped forward at a high speed. The g-forces exerted on the body even in a relatively low speed impact are very high. The extent of injuries sustained in this type of accident are dependent on many factors. The overall physical state of the occupant is a very important factor in determining the degree of injury sustained. A young physically fit person will fare much better than a person with limited flexibility and arthritic joints. The height if the headrest is critical. If the headrest is low it will act as a fulcrum to allow the head to extend further backward and accelerate forward faster, greatly increasing injuries. Restraint systems such as air bags and seat belts must be properly worn and functioning to decrease injuries. Smaller individuals generally sustain more injuries than larger occupants. The speed of acceleration at impact is probably the greatest variable in the amount of injury sustained.
Types of Injuries
Whiplash injuries can have a wide range of severity. The vast majority do not involve any fractures. If we find a fracture on examination that injury is treated by an orthopedic surgeon. The injuries are typically to the muscles, tendons and ligaments. These connective tissues are composed of fibers. The fibers have various degrees of contractile and elastic properties. Following a whiplash type injury some of these fibers tear. The injuries are graded on the percentage of fibers in the tissue which are torn. Muscles have the best blood supply and are the fastest of the three to heal. Ligaments generally have a poor blood supply and are the slowest to heal. These tissues all heal with fibrous scar tissue. This scar tissue is very strong but does not have much elasticity. We work to achieve healing with the smallest amount of scar tissue necessary to maintain the function of the injured tissue as close to pre injury status as possible. Full healing of these injuries is generally a twelve to sixteen week process. Stages of Care
There are three stages of care when dealing with whiplash injuries. The first stage is the acute stage. This stage of care is directed at decreasing the inflammatory response. Decreasing inflammation also decreases the pain level. This stage includes electrical muscle stimulation, ice application, myofascial release techniques, anti inflammatory medications, rest and support of the neck with a cervical collar. Some or all of these treatments may be used. After the inflammation is decrease we move into the healing phase. This phase involves the formation of scar tissue to repair the injuries. During the healing stage restoring a full range of motion is important to limit the amount of scar tissue formed. Treatment includes chiropractic adjustments, electrical muscle stimulation, heat/ice applications and myofascial release techniques. The third phase of care overlaps with the healing process and is the rehabilitative phase. This involves strengthening and stretching the injured and surrounding tissues. The length of time required for each stage varies with the extent of injury, the physical health of the injured patient and the response to treatment. |
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Whiplash Injuries are almost always the result of a motor vehicle accident in which the injured person is struck from behind. There are of course many types of auto accidents with varied injuries involved. Following an accident it is important to follow the appropriate steps to insure that the entire process is as smooth as possible. You should always exchange insurance information with the other party regardless of fault. It is very helpful to have a police report of the accident. You should contact your insurance company promptly so they can proceed with their necessary processes. If you are in need of medical care, it is important to do so in a timely manner. The need to secure the services of an attorney must be determined on a case by case basis. Taking pictures of the vehicles and any visible injuries as well as keeping notes on problems with the vehicle and your own physical complaints is helpful in dealing with insurance companies. Your insurance company likely has a check list of what to do if you are involved in an accident. It is a good idea to keep a copy of this in you glove compartment.