The Pathophysiology and Mechanism of Acute and Chronic Whiplash Injury: A Narrative Review

The Pathophysiology and Mechanism of Acute and Chronic Whiplash Injury: A Narrative Review

Patients with whiplash injuries usually complain of neck, shoulder, or back pain; dizziness; headache; vertigo; paresthesias; and cognitive or psychological symptoms. However, to date, whiplash injury also remains one of the most poorly understood motor vehicle injuries. The source of initial symptoms among patients with whiplash injuries is often unclear. It is generally assumed that the symptoms of patients with whiplash injuries have an organic basis. This review briefly summarized the pathophysiology and mechanisms being investigated by many researchers to potentially explain whiplash injury. Each anatomical area described is injured during a whiplash exposure if the impact during whiplash injuries exceeds that tissue’s tolerance. For each anatomical area affected during whiplash injuries, continued research is necessary to better understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of whiplash injuries. A better understanding of each potentially injured anatomical area during whiplash injuries will help improve the management of whiplash injuries.

Patients with whiplash injuries usually complain of neck, shoulder, or back pain; dizziness; headache; vertigo; paresthesias; and cognitive or psychological symptoms. However, to date, whiplash injury also remains one of the most poorly understood motor vehicle injuries. The source of initial symptoms among patients with whiplash injuries is often unclear. It is generally assumed that the symptoms of patients with whiplash injuries have an organic basis. This review briefly summarized the pathophysiology and mechanisms being investigated by many researchers to potentially explain whiplash injury. Each anatomical area described is injured during a whiplash exposure if the impact during whiplash injuries exceeds that tissue’s tolerance. For each anatomical area affected during whiplash injuries, continued research is necessary to better understand the pathophysiology and mechanisms of whiplash injuries. A better understanding of each potentially injured anatomical area during whiplash injuries will help improve the management of whiplash injuries.