Whiplash is an injury related to the cervical spine caused due to forceful neck movement. It is one of the most common injuries to the neck or cervical spine. Whiplash injury is usually a result of car accidents, injuries associated with sports, or any other trauma to the cervical spine. There are several short-term and long-term effects of whiplash.
Symptoms of whiplash:
Some of the common symptoms of whiplash injury include:
- Neck stiffness
- Neck pain
- Soreness
- Headache, also known as cervicogenic headache
Untreated whiplash injury can also end up with chronic neck pain. Along with whiplash injury, car accidents may result in a misaligned spine as well. This misalignment can lead to severe neck pain as well as back pain and soreness. Other parts of the spine can also be affected or damaged due to this injury. They include:
- Intervertebral discs
- Vertebrae
- Muscles and ligaments supporting the spine
Common causes of whiplash:
Car accidents are by far the most common cause of whiplash. Some of the other causes of whiplash injury to the neck include:
- Falls
- Physical abuse
- Sports injuries or accidents
- Horse riding
- Blow to the head due to a heavy object
Long-term effects of Whiplash:
Can whiplash cause problems years later?
Yes, neck pain from an old whiplash injury can go on for years. There are a number of researches that show; symptoms of a whiplash injury can last/occur 10 years or 20 years later. Moreover, there are several consequences of whiplash injury that lead to a number of other health-related issues. If whiplash is left untreated or the treatment process is delayed somehow, it may result in the following long-term effects:
- Degenerative joint disease
- Permanent neck and postural impairments
- Degenerative disc disease
- Recurring headaches and migraines
- Chronic pain e.g., neck, back, and shoulder
- Exhaustion
- Injuries associated with ligaments
- Confusion
- Vertigo
- Mobility issues
- Misaligned vertebrae
Short-term effects of Whiplash:
However, the short-term effects of whiplash include:
- Headache
- Migraines
- Pain in the neck, shoulder, mid-back, and lower back
- Visual disturbances
There are several factors that can increase the risk of whiplash including:
- Age
- If you are already dealing with back or neck pain
- And/or history of whiplash injury
When to seek medical attention?
How to treat an old whiplash injury? Whiplash treatment aims to manage the pain, and restore mobility as well as the normal range of the neck so you can go back to your day-to-day activities. Note that, the symptoms of whiplash don’t occur immediately after the accident or trauma.
KKT Orthopedic Spine Center offers revolutionary non-surgical Canadian technology treatment for neck pain. Our team of experts focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the problem. In case of chronic back or neck pain, book your appointment with KKT Orthopedic Consultants in Lahore, Karachi, and other metropolitan cities across Pakistan.
For further information, kindly get in touch with us through our patient care line. One of our representatives will guide you to the best of their ability.
Phone: 0800-00-558