First of all, let us remember that the cervical are the seven vertebrae located at our neck, between the base of the skull and the first thoracic vertebra. They are numbered from C1 to C7 and are linked together by ligaments. Their role? Support our headprotect our spinal cord and allow rotation and flexion of our neck. Cervical sprain, as its name suggests, therefore designates a trauma which affects one or more cervical ligaments: an unusual stretching or a partial or even total tear.
“Most of the time it is mild sprainsbut they must never be neglected, otherwise they will cause chronic pain and osteoarthritis in the long term,” underlines the Dr Hervé Colladosports doctor and vice-president of the French Society of Sports Traumatology (SFTS).
Definition: what is a whiplash?
Cervical sprain, also known by the nickname » whiplash » or « whiplash », designates the more or less serious damage to one or more ligament(s) which hold the cervical spine in place (the seven vertebrae of the neck). And Dr. Collado explains: “Ligaments are fibrous bands of tissue that serve to connect bones togetherunlike tendons which connect bones to muscles. »
Mild, moderate or severe whiplash
As indicated above, whiplash refers to a damage to the cervical ligaments. Depending on its severity we distinguish:
- THE mild neck sprains (the ligaments are “simply” stretched);
- THE average whiplash (the ligaments are distended and some fibers may be torn)
- And the severe neck sprains (all the fibers of the ligaments are torn and bone tears have sometimes occurred).
What is the difference between a stiff neck and a whiplash?
The torticollis designates a sudden and involuntary contraction neck muscles which can cause pain and stiffness in the cervical region. Most often, it is linked to a false movement, a hyperextended position or even poor working posture. L’entorse cervicaleshe is caused by traumasuch as a car accident or an impact while playing a contact sport.
Pain, stiffness, headaches… what are the symptoms of whiplash?
The symptoms of a whiplash can be more or less intense depending on the severity of the injury:
- A neck pain more or less severe ;
- A stiffness in the neckwhich can make it difficult to turn or tilt the head;
- Of the headacheespecially at the base of the skull or behind the eyes;
- A feeling tired in the neck muscles;
- Of the dizziness and dizzinessor even a loss of consciousness ;
- Of the numbness or tingling in the arms or hands;
- Of the pain or stiffness at the level of the shoulders and shoulder blades ;
- Of the difficulty getting to sleep and sleep comfortably.
Good to know: symptoms appear most often immediately after a shock at neck level. But in some cases, they can also appear in the hours or days following the trauma. And whiplash can even be asymptomatic ! Hence the importance of consulting to confirm – or refute – the diagnosis and avoid worsening the situation.
Fall, car accident… what are the causes of this trauma?
Neck sprains are usually caused by direct or indirect trauma in the cervical region, which can cause damage to soft tissues (muscles, ligaments) and/or cervical vertebrae. Among the most widespread causes:
- And road accident : when a vehicle hits the rear of your own vehicle, for example, which causes a sudden movement of the head forwards and backwards;
- And sports accident (collision, fall, etc.), particularly in the context of contact sports such as footballhockey or even wrestling;
- And domestic accidentespecially a fall to the head or neck;
- A bad posture which can cause excessive tension on the muscles and ligaments of the neck, especially when said posture is maintained for a long time;
- A age-related wear : with age, the cervical vertebrae are subject to natural wear and tear which increases the risk of cervical lesions.
Furthermore, the sedentary lifestylea musculature fragile at the neck and repetitive daily movements stressing the neck greatly increases the risk of whiplash.
The importance of safety devices!
It is important to note that many whiplash injuries could be avoided by adopting good posture every dayavoiding situations with a high risk of falling and above all by correctly using safety devices such as car seat belts or protective helmets when practicing risky sports, etc.
Who, when to consult in case of cervical trauma?
If the shock was relatively mild and you do not experience neurological problems or symptoms that are too disabling on a daily basis, still consult your doctor. general practitioner in the days following the shock. If necessary, he will redirect you to a specialist doctor. And in case of more serious traumaassociated with suggestive symptoms, go quickly to the emergency room and if possible immobilize your neck using a cervical collar.
How to diagnose a whiplash?
The diagnosis of a whiplash can be made by a doctor or physiotherapist. First of all, the professional will carry out a careful interrogation : he/she will ask you about the circumstances of the trauma, your symptoms and their evolution, your possible treatments, your medical history, etc. Objective ? Best understand the severity of the cervical sprain to be able to offer the best possible rehabilitation according to your professional life and your hobbies, explains the expert.
Then comes the time to the clinical examination which will allow you to assess your mobility. In some cases, medical imaging exams (x-rays, IRMscans, etc.) may also be needed to help confirm the diagnosis or to identify other possible injuries, including neurological damage.
Healing Time: How long does a whiplash last?
The duration of whiplash symptoms is very variable. It depends on the severity of thesprain and therapeutic measures put in place. A mild whiplash can be relieved in a few days, or even a few weeks. But a more serious whiplash injury, with tearing of one or more ligaments, can take several weeks or even months to completely heal. It is therefore essential to follow your doctor’s recommendations to the letter!
On the program, most often? “Wearing a cervical collar, taking medications that can relieve pain and inflammation and more or less early rehabilitation exercises,” summarizes Dr. Collado.
Treatment: how to relieve and treat a cervical sprain?
Management of a whiplash injury aims to relieve pain and discomfort, improve neck mobility and promote ligament consolidation. Among the most common therapeutic options:
- Rest and avoidance of activities that increase pain by exerting excessive tension on the cervical muscles;
- Applying ice on the traumatized area for around fifteen minutes, several times a day, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation;
- Wearing a cervical collar more or less rigidalso called cervical neck bracewhich helps support the neck and reduce muscle tension. The latter must be put in place as soon as possible;
- Taking painkillers and of muscle relaxers (myorelaxants) to relieve pain and help the neck muscles relax. “When possible, avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen,” says Dr. Collado;
- Of the physiotherapy exercises (gentle stretches, strengthening exercises and relaxation techniques to help reduce muscle tension), combined with life-saving massage techniques.
In the rarest/serious cases, a surgery may also be necessary to repair damage to cervical structures and possible neurological injuries. In this case, the rehabilitation will be longer and supervised.
How to sleep with a whiplash?
It is not necessarily easy to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in the event of a whiplash. Several “tips” can help you adopt a more comfortable position:
- To use a neck pillow to support his neck and maintain his head and spine aligned;
- Avoid pillows that are too high and/or too firmwhich can cause excessive strain on the neck and spine;
- Sleep, if possible, on your backbecause this position allows your head, neck and spine to stay aligned. “However, it is better to avoid sleeping on your back if you suffer from snoring problems or sleep apnea. Prefer to sleep on your side and try to limit your movements during the night,” advises Dr. Collado;
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach and injured sideas this can cause excessive strain on the neck and spine.
What complications can occur after a whiplash injury?
Certain complications sometimes persist after a whiplash, including after good compliance with treatment:
- Some people may experience persistent pain in the neckdue to more serious nerve or muscle damage;
- A cervical sprain that is not, or poorly, treated can lead to reduced neck mobility and the adoption of an abnormal posture leading to back problems;
- Persistent headachesdue to muscular tension in the neck which can radiate towards the head;
- Nerve damage in the neckcausing loss of sensation or muscle weakness in the arms or hands;
- Finally, a whiplash can increase the risk of developing early cervical spondylosiscausing chronic pain and reduced mobility.
Do not hesitate to report these side effects to your doctor, who will be able to set up a specific protocol to relieve you!
Sources
Interview with Dr. Hervé Collado, sports doctor and vice-president of the French Society of Sports Traumatology (SFTS).
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