27
Mar
THE MYSTERY OF WHIPLASH INJURIES
One common injury that results from motor vehicle accidents is frequently referred to as “whiplash”. In actuality, whiplash is not an injury at all. Rather it is the whiplash forces that cause the resultant injuries. A recent article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons entitled Chronic Whiplash and Whiplash-Associated Disorders: An Evidence Based Approach, indicated that in a typical rear-end motor vehicle collision or similar trauma, the injury is caused from the forward and upward motion of the torso while the head lags behind as a result of inertia. The “whiplash injury” manifests itself in any structural damage sustained as a result of whiplash forces.
Whiplash is a descriptive term used to describe a scientific injury, just as a turned ankle is a descriptive term for a sprain. The term “whiplash” is used to describe the tear of the muscle fibers, as well as injuries to joints, nerves, ligaments, and tendons.
Crash characteristics and human factors are relevant considerations to help predict injuries in low-speed collisions. Crash factors may include the size, weight, and speed of each vehicle, the type and position of the seat and head restraint, and the ability of the vehicles to absorb or transmit energy. For example, a person driving a Hummer may be less probable to experience a whiplash injury than someone driving a Corvette, which is generally made out of fiberglass. Due to these factors, very little vehicle damage may produce severe a severe injury.
In addition to the crash characteristics, several human factors may play a role in the severity of the injury. Such factors may include: the size, weight, and sex of the occupant; whether the person was aware that a collision was about to occur; the direction the occupant was facing upon impact; and the individual’s tissue tolerance.
Injuries resulting from the whiplash forces can generally be categorized into two areas. Acute pain occurs soon after the injury and usually persists for up to six months. Chronic pain is not defined by an arbitrary time period, but rather as pain that endures beyond the expected resolution of the injury. If you had to put a time period on chronic pain, it would be fair to say that it is pain that persists beyond six months.
Whiplash injuries can manifest themselves in different areas of the body. The most common source of pain is neck pain. It may occur midline or on either or both sides of the neck. Arm pain is also common in chronic whiplash injuries although it is generally less severe than neck pain. Headaches are the second most common symptom of whiplash injuries. Such headaches, while they may vary in severity and frequency, are often confused with migraine or tension-type headaches.
In addition to the above mentioned injuries, there are a category of injuries commonly referred to as whiplash-associated disorders, which may result from a rear-end collision or similar trauma. These types of injuries include lower back pain, vision problems, dizziness, weakness and fatigue, poor concentration and memory, as well as difficulty sleeping.
If you are involved in a rear-end collision or similar type trauma know that your injuries may be more complex than you think. It is important to seek medical treatment immediately. It is equally imperative that you see an attorney to preserve your rights as a result of these complex injuries.