Occupants of a car that is involved in a collision may experience neck pain, is no matter which direction the effects, however, this is much more likely to occur if the effect comes from behind.
An eight miles per hour rear-end collision, that a 2-g acceleration sensors (has 2-g = 2 times the gravitational force of the earth) of the vehicle could be a 5-g acceleration sensors for the head. Experiments using the volunteers showed that a ten-mile per hour rear-end collision could create one 9 g -Acceleration of the neck and 23-g of the frontal cortex.
It has been shown that 10-60% of people in a car accident suffers sprain in the neck. Those who do not wear seat belts less sprains of the neck as it bears.
The incidence of whiplash injuries due to rear-damaging effect can be reduced through the use of the headrest. In fact, the reduction is as much as ten percent in cars, with adjustable headrests and seventeen percent of patients havefixed head restraints.
Conventional radiographs (x-ray):
They say that x-rays should be taken advantage of in the assessment of a whiplash injury. This is to get a picture as a reference of the cervical spine, if they violated and also to possible injuries that trauma must be evaluated. With this method, secondary symptoms such as degenerative disease can be assessed objectively, even if they are noted for some time after theTrauma.
Disadvantages of X-rays warning. In addition to X-rays may not be fully effective in the identification of traumatic cervical spine injuries. In a large percentage of patients with neck injuries, had the combination of cross-table lateral (CTL), AP and OM-times the following results:
Sixty-one percent of all fractures were missed. Thirty-six percent of the subluxations and dislocations also missed. In addition, injuries in twenty-three percentof patients were wrongly identified. Half of these patients had unstable cervical injuries, and some had normal cervical spine.
It is for this reason, if a trauma victim shows a plain film of the neck injury or a high clinical suspicion of injury, the patient should an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or computerized tomography (CT scan). This will be a clearer and more definitive assessment of the condition of the cervical spine.
CTScans:
A CT scan is a good choice for all patients who experienced an acute trauma. This is especially true if the cervical spine can not be seen, even using plain film are. This is true even if the center neck pain, which can not be explained, or it is a neurological deficit, not to show it, is up on plain film.
Moreover, it is unclear whether the soft tissue swelling in the pre-vertebral region, or if the plane is a film for another reason, an abnormal CT (computed tomographyTomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging is recommended.)
These tests can detect soft tissue problems can be as hard disks, tapes pierced hernia and soft tissue hematoma. However, CT is limited when it comes to his ability in the evaluation of cervical trauma.
Disadvantages of CT scanning: It's not so easy to sprains, subluxations, see abnormal angulation, and used intervertebral distances using CT-fashioned than radiography or newer, tomography. In a research --Experiment CT only detected 54% of the dislocations and subluxations of trauma victims.
MRI Scan
MRI data of whiplash injuries vary widely and differ in view of the delay between the X-rays and the accident.
While the chronic phase, the first year after the trauma, usually results may be nonspecific. They will include degenerative disc disease as well as the hard disk protrusions and / or herniated disc. Very few patients show bone or ligament lesions.
DuringExperience the subacute phase, within four months after the whiplash injury, characteristic findings such as separation from the hard disk from the spinal ligaments and endplate lesions are usually reported. When comparing the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) and the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) or interspinous band of ALL is frequently violated.
Often no specific results will be made during the fifteen days following the original injury. ThisPhase is often referred to as the acute phase.
If the patient neurological deficit, myelopathy, radiculopathy or spinal cord injury, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging are given experience). This is especially true when the symptoms exceed what would have been found from the results of a standard X-rays are expected. In the cases of whiplash injury, it is advisable to MRI (magnetic resonance imaging used) as a standard procedure. This is especially true if the patient complains ofSymptoms specific to whiplash or other examination shows significant results. Cons of MRI scan. Costs. Although in the cases of whiplash injury is caused by the insurance.
Whiplash or neck injuries from car accidents very well to chiropractic care.
A San Diego Chiropractic who) specializes in the treatment of whiplash patients, Andrew Mairs offers SASTM (deep tissue massage, is particularly helpful forolder violated when scar tissue has formed, with hot and cold laser treatment, which especially helpful for new injuries.
Atom Feed (xml)