APA4118 - 1.1 - Cervical Spine - Whiplash Injury

Whiplash syndrome

Complex symptoms after acceleration hyperextension injury.

Rear-end collisions

Common cause of whiplash injuries under 25 km/h.

Cervical spine

Neck region affected during whiplash trauma.

Neck flexion

Stretching of neck during upper cervical flexion.

Neck extension

Backward translation of head after impact.

Headrest adjustment

Limits neck extension in low-speed impacts.

Kinematics

Study of motion during rear impact collisions.

Inertial loading

Force acting on head-neck complex during impact.

Cervicothoracic junction

Key area for acceleration input during trauma.

Symptoms of whiplash

Includes neck pain, stiffness, and dizziness.

Loss of lordosis

Common radiographic finding in whiplash injuries.

Dorsal Root Ganglion

Part of spinal cord affected by rapid motion.

Vertebral artery dissection

Increased risk in whiplash patients, especially C1-C2.

Anterior Longitudinal Ligament

Tears may cause nociception after whiplash injury.

Muscle fascicle strains

Injury to neck muscles during whiplash impact.

Whiplash associated disorder

Collection of neck symptoms from abrupt acceleration.

Quebec Task Force

Classification system for whiplash severity.

Grade 0

No complaints or physical signs of injury.

Grade I

Neck pain without physical signs.

Grade II

Neck pain with musculoskeletal signs.

Grade III

Neck pain with neurological signs.

Grade IV

Neck pain with fracture or dislocation.

Assessment methods

Includes subjective history and objective examination.

Mobility exercises

Promote movement in cervical and thoracic spine.

Stabilization exercises

Target deep neck flexors and scapula stabilizers.

Multimodal therapy

Combination of treatments for whiplash recovery.

Prognosis of whiplash

Recovery varies from days to weeks.

Chronic pain

Potential long-term disability from whiplash injuries.