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Whiplash Injuries

  • Pain in Rheumatology (W Nielson and M Harth, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Whiplash injuries, also known as whiplash-associated disorders, are commonly seen after motor vehicle accidents and are challenging to manage as a large number of individuals go on to chronicity and are resistant or only partially responsive to current treatments.

Recent findings

Although the pathophysiology remains uncertain, there is compelling evidence that a significant number of chronic whiplash injuries are associated with involvement of the cervical facet joints, C2-3 and C5-6 being the most often identified as the cause of pain. The diagnosis of whiplash remains a clinical diagnosis as radiological techniques have not been able to consistently identify the pathological basis of the pain. The clinical syndrome of whiplash/WAD includes neck pain or stiffness, arm pain and paresthesias, temporomandibular dysfunction, headache, visual disturbances, memory and concentration problems, and psychological distress. Education and exercise programs appear to be the most strongly supported interventions, although many questions remain about the relative effectiveness of various exercise protocols and their long-term impact. Psychological treatment is important for those clearly not coping well. For those patients who do not respond to conventional treatments, radiofrequency neurotomy may be a potential treatment option.

Summary

Despite its frequency and high rates of disabling symptoms, our understanding and treatment of whiplash injuries has shown little progress over the past two decades.

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References and Recommended Reading

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada

    Robert Teasell MD FRCPC

  2. Lawson Research Institute and Parkwood Institute, St. Joseph’s Health Center London, Parkwood Institute Main, 550 Wellington Rd, London, Ontario, N6A 0A7, Canada

    Robert Teasell MD FRCPC

  3. Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada

    Swati Mehta PhD

  4. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Schulich School of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, St. Joseph’s Health Center London, London, Ontario, Canada

    Eldon Loh MD FRCPC

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  1. Robert Teasell MD FRCPC
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  2. Swati Mehta PhD
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  3. Eldon Loh MD FRCPC
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Correspondence to Robert Teasell MD FRCPC.

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Teasell, R., Mehta, S. & Loh, E. Whiplash Injuries. Curr Treat Options in Rheum 6, 394–405 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40674-020-00162-x

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