Medical Health Encyclopedia

Whiplash

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Whiplash

Definition:

Whiplash is when the soft tissues of the neck are injured by a sudden jerking or "whipping" of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion.

Considerations:

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When a vehicle stops suddenly in a crash or is struck from behind, a seat belt will keep a person's body from being thrown forward. But the head may snap forward, then backward, causing whiplash.

Causes:

In addition to car accidents, whiplash can be caused by roller coasters and other amusement park rides, sports injuries, or being punched or shaken. (Whiplash is one of the hallmarks of shaken baby syndrome.)

References:

Ferri, FF. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. St. Louis, MO: Mosby; 2005: 896-897.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2^nd Ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2003.

Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5^th Ed. St. Louis, MO: London: Mosby; 2002:125,606.

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