Whiplash Injuries

There are many causes for whiplash injuries. A whiplash injury is an injury which occurs to the neck and head as a result of sudden distortion of the neck area. It mainly occurs due to rear end collision in a road accident in which the victim is moved back and forth with extreme velocity that causes the head to snap in some cases. Other causes of whiplash injuries are direct head collision, fall from a bicycle or horse, head banging etc. In infants, such type of injury is common in shaken baby syndrome in which a baby is violently shaken by a distressed and exhausted parent.

The exact mechanism which causes the whiplash injury is not known. It is known to occur due to the impulsive stretching of the spine, especially the anterior longitudinal ligament which results in a tear due to the movement. Whiplash can occur in any type of accident similar to the rear end collision of the car accident. It can also occur in amusement parks in rides such as the roller coaster which is operated at tremendous velocity. As a result, the impact of the accident is also high.

The symptoms of whiplash injury can be any one of the following: neck pain, shoulder pain, lower back pain, stiffness of neck, dizziness, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, concentration and memory problems, sleeplessness, irritability, tiredness etc. These symptoms often resemble other medical conditions and hence it is always best to seek a proper diagnosis before getting treated for any medical problem.

Whiplash injuries can be diagnosed based on medical history and also by a thorough physical examination of the victim. X-rays can determine any damage that has occurred to the spinal cord. In case of ligament tear and damage to soft tissues which cannot be viewed through x-rays, CT scan also known as Computed tomography scan or MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be used to identify the damage.

This sort of an injury can be treated by specific treatment methods given by the physician. The treatment will be based upon the age of the victim, overall health and medical history and the extent of injury. The treatment will also depend on the victim’s tolerance to particular medication, therapies and procedure. Some of the usual treatments given for whiplash injury are application of ice for the first 24 hrs, use of a cervical collar, treating with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxing medications, and physiotherapy.

Therefore the causes of whiplash injuries are many and it can be prevented by increasing the safety precautions in cars where most of these cases happen. Many car brands such as Opel, Ford, Nissan, Volvo, Jaguar and Mercedes have special head-restraints in car seats which can protect the victim to some extent, though not fully guaranteed to protect. Any way if you suffer from a whiplash injury, seek medical attention immediately and get the right treatment. Also you can file a claim for compensation through an experienced whiplash lawyer. So wherever you are, be safe and avoid whiplash injuries.

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