Whiplash injuries are quite common in motor vehicle accidents, especially when a stopped vehicle is struck from the rear by another driver. Even at low speeds, the resulting jolt can send your head snapping backwards and then forward in rapid succession, potentially injuring numerous structures in the process. Since whiplash is one of the most common injuries we treat following a car accident, we wanted to take a closer look at a typical treatment course and explain if surgery is ever a possibility after a whiplash injury.
How Whiplash Is Normally Treated
Whiplash is a term that is used to describe a range of neck injuries that can occur as a result of sudden movement of the neck area. When a person’s neck moves violenting in a car accident or as a result of other physical trauma, the spine experiences extreme rotational torque, which can overstress key spinal joints. The soft tissues and discs in the neck area can also be strained, torn or shifted as a result of this forceful movement. Because whiplash doesn’t describe one specific injury, it is always a good idea to be evaluated by a physician or a spine specialist if you believe you may have suffered a whiplash injury.
Also, it’s imperative that you don’t try to ignore whiplash symptoms in the hope that they will get better on their own. Studies suggest that untreated whiplash can lead to chronic neck pain in anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of whiplash sufferers.
Now that we know a little bit more about whiplash onset, let’s take a closer look at treatment. As you might imagine, because whiplash doesn’t describe just one type of injury, treatment will vary based on individual injuries. However, a number of conditions caused by whiplash produce similar symptoms, so a general treatment outline may look familiar. Common ways to care for whiplash injuries include:
- Rest – Resting and protecting the area from additional stress is important in the first few days after the accident.
- Bracing – Sometimes a brace is recommended for additional protection and to limit strain on the area.
- Anti-Inflammatory Medications – Over the counter anti-inflammatories can help reduce inflammation that can restrict healthy blood flow and flexibility.
- Hot/Cold Therapy – Icing an area can help to reduce swelling, and heat therapy can improve blood flow to the injury site.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is arguably the most proactive treatment measure you can pursue after a whiplash injury. With the help of a skilled physical therapist or neck specialist, you can slowly strengthen the injured area, relieve stress and regain flexibility and normal range of motion.
- Controlled Stretching – A close cousin to physical therapy, some gentle exercises can help improve function in an area that is recovering from trauma.
- Injections – Corticosteroid injections may be used to calm inflammation and make physical therapy exercises less uncomfortable, but they are not a great long-term option and they carry their own risks, so they aren’t a first choice when it comes to treatment.
As to the original question posed in this blog’s title, is surgery a common option for treating whiplash injuries? The answer is no. In most cases, the soft tissue and spinal injuries that occur as a result of whiplash trauma do not require surgery to fully heal. Most of these injuries heal fine with a combination of the above techniques. That said, if the car accident resulted in significant whiplash injuries or other problems like a vertebral fracture or ruptured disc, then an operation may be pursued. Whiplash injuries may need to be corrected with surgery, but it’s rare, mainly because they tend to respond well to conservative care.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a rear-end collision or suspect they suffered whiplash as a result of different trauma, make sure they connect with a spine specialist like Dr. Jackman. Symptoms oftentimes get worse without active treatment, and solutions are often simpler than you imagine. For more information, or for help with your back or neck issue, reach out to Dr. Jackman’s office today.
