Whiplash: fact or fiction?
Cervical sprain/strain or whiplash injuries are a common cause of acute and chronic musculoskeletal impairments and are ubiquitous after rear-end automobile collisions. The diagnosis is largely subjective and the ideal treatment controversial. Unfortunately, the majority of compensated litigation claims are associated with whiplash-type injuries secondary to motor vehicle accidents. Fortunately, many recent advances have led to better understanding of the collision and injury biomechanics and to development of a prognostic classification system, objective diagnostic tests, an array of treatment modalities, and, most important, safer automobiles. These advances will undoubtedly lead to decreased incidence, a more accurate diagnosis, and a tailored management regimen resulting in improved outcomes and ultimately fewer legal proceedings.
Silber
Jeff S
JS
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Great Neck, New York, USA. jeffsilber2000@yahoo.com
Hayes
Victor M
VM
Lipetz
Jason
J
Vaccaro
Alexander R
AR
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014911:Whiplash Injuries