Cervical Spine Injuries and Whiplash Injuries

Neck or cervical injuries often occur when a car is struck from the rear.  The acceleration caused by the collision of the vehicle throws the occupant’s head forward with up to 10 or more times the force of gravity.  The sheer and bending forces on the spine often result in neck injuries, nerve root injuries, and even more serious injuries including herniated discs.

These “whiplash” type injuries often referred to as “soft tissue” injuries generally do not require surgical repair and for the most part there is recovery within 6 to 12 months of the accident.  Despite this, there is a substantial portion of the population involved in these rear end collisions that end up having permanent issues with their cervical spine.  Such injuries leave the victim more susceptible to future re-injury and sometimes accelerate arthritic disease of the spine.  Physicians who specialize in treating spinal injuries often opine that there are microscopic tears in the soft tissues surrounding the cervical spine caused by the accelerated/deceleration forces develop microscopic scar tissue as they heal.  This scar tissue can be a contributing factor to long term problems resulting from these accidental injuries.

It is estimated that about 3 million people are injured each year in rear end collisions.  There are a number of studies that have determined that the chief mechanism in whiplash injuries is the deferential motion of the head and neck as the car moves forward causing sheer forces that damage the spine and surrounding tissue http://www.srisd.com/cervicalspineinjuries.html

Rear end collisions are increasing as cell phone usage and other driver distraction features in automobiles are causing driver’s to keep improper lookout.http://www.ehow.com/about_6360956_rear-end-dash-accident-injuries.html

Neck injuries, when more severe may be associated with headaches, dizziness, burning and tingling in the neck which may radiate into the shoulder.  Some people even experience cognitive/psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment and sleep disturbances as well as fatigue or depression.  “Whiplash” injuries typical treatment will include pain medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs.  For more severe injuries there may be home exercise for range of motion and improvement, as well as physical therapy which could include a heat application, ultrasound and massage.

For those people who do not recover within 6 to 12 months after the collision, the future is uncertain.  Medicine to date does not have a cure, or a clear explanation why some people do better than others.  When pain does become chronic or persistent, the injured person may then be faced with a necessity of treatment at a pain clinic to learn to deal with long term pain.  People who suffer “chronic” pain often suffer side effects including severe depression, sleep interruption, and fatigue.  For general discussion of pain and treatment see

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pain/blaustein_pain_center/

If you have suffered spinal injuries in a rear end collision you may discuss your case for free with an attorney who has represented hundreds/thousands of people injured in rear end collisions William W. Hurst.

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