Mar 18 2011
Whiplash symptoms: For minor and severe whiplash injury
The common whiplash symptoms which you may come across soon after a whiplash related injury are:
- A stiff, sore and painful neck( The most common symptoms of whiplash).
- Headaches are also said to be common and is considered as a common whiplash injury symptom.
- Pain and ache in the lower back.
- Pain in the shoulder area and/or in between the shoulder blades.
- upper limb paraesthesia(is a sensation of pricking, tingling or numbness felt on a person’s skin with no apparent long-term physical effect)
- Dysphasia (The medical term for difficulty in swallowing) for a temporary period.
- Dizziness and/or unsteadiness are also common symptoms of chronic whiplash-associated disorders.
- A blurred vision and a ringing, irritating feeling in the ears are also the whiplash symptoms. However these should go away quickly.
Symptoms of severe whiplash injury:
- The pain worsens and lasts for more than 5-7 weeks.
The injured person may suffer with any of the following symptoms. It is more likely that these symptoms of whiplash injury shall get better within a week or so. However it is important to consult a doctor in case these symptoms do not reduce within a week.
The clinical signs of whiplash neck injury:
- Limitation in the movement of the neck or the neck regions.
- Diffuse muscle tenderness.
The Neurological signs of the whiplash injury:
- Prevertebral soft tissue swelling.
- Angular deformity between the vertebral bodies
The presence of these neurological signs, cervical fracture or instability is indications of a more serious whiplash related injury and definitely require further investigation. A MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is generally the next step. The MRI can show the injuries occurred to the bone, disc or ligament and indicate the degree, if in case of the injury, of root or cord impaction of the whiplash injury.