Automobile Accident Results Whiplash Trauma!

By Author: Marc Browner
Total Articles: 8
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The term whiplash was first coined in 1928. Though primarily used to describe the type of injury suffered in rear-impact automobile accidents, over the years whiplash has also been used to refer to any neck injury caused by sudden motion of the head. Because of problems associated with the term whiplash, other phrases have emerged in recent years to try to better describe this type of injury, such as "cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injury" and "cervical hyperextension/hyperflexion injury". All these terms have short-comings, and as a result whiplash still remains an integral part of medical jargon.

One of the most controversial issues in the study of whiplash - and one of profound interest to both the insurance and legal fields - revolves around injuries reportedly sustained in low speed rear-impact crashes. Can such collisions cause occupant injury? A study by Brault published in ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION (1998) gives support to the claim soft tissue injury can occur as a result of low speed rear-impact collisions, despite the fact crash velocities are often so slow as to produce ...
... no damage to either vehicle.

In this study, human volunteer subjects underwent rear-impact collisions in which the crash velocities were set at 2.5 and 5 miles per hour. Of particular significance is these volunteers were first screened for any pre-existing spinal conditions, then seated in optimal positions with headrests positioned correctly, and finally were aware of the impending crash. In real-life accidents it is exceptionally rare to have all of these conditions in the occupant's favour. For this reason, the results of this study are especially compelling. Under laboratory conditions designed to minimize injury, a significant 29% of occupants were found to have sustained injury at a crash velocity of 2.5 mph, and fully 38% sustained injury at 5 mph.

In the real world, victims of rear-impact collisions were often not anticipating the impact, their head may have been turned, their seated posture was very likely poor resulting in their head being too far from the headrest, and frequently their headrests were positioned too low. Each of these factors amplify and compound the trauma that occurs to muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels and bone. Now add to this list a spine that may not have optimal alignment, optimal curvature, or may have some other pre-existing abnormality or health condition. Perhaps this may not be the first such accident an individual has been involved in.

As our understanding of whiplash trauma evolves, and more studies like this one support the contention low speed rear-end collisions do cause injury, the controversy regarding authenticity of such injuries may finally be put to rest.

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

Dr. Marc Browner chiropractor Plantation that provides you a pain free life with chiropractic services. Chiropractic services for headaches, low back pain, neck pain, pain relief, back pain Plantation, sports massage and massage therapy and more.
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