Car Accident Injuries/Whiplash 

Whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) can be exhibited as a range of injuries to the neck caused by or related to a sudden distortion of the neck called extension. Although it is commonly associated with rear-impact motor vehicle accidents, the injury can be sustained in many other ways, including falls from bicycles, chairs and stools, or even horses. It is one of the main injuries covered by car insurers.

What You Notice

You may notice an immediate pain and aching, or nothing at all in the beginning stages. Whiplash can gradually invade your life with headaches, back and neck pain, memory loss and weakness in limbs. Mild to progressively severely disability has been reported

What It Feels Like

• Mild or intense neck pain
• Stiffness and tension, inability to rotate the head
• Mild or intense headaches
• Migraines, sensory deficits with hearing and smell
• Trouble controlling limbs, loss of balance
• Cerebral blood flow interruption causing dizziness
• Pain moving or lifting the arms
• Dislocation, spinal damage, herniated disc symptoms

What to Do

X-rays, films, and other tests, such as CT scan, MRI scan, and electromyography can be used to further define the exact causes of sciatica. The image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. For some procedures, contrast agents, such as gadolinium, are used to increase the accuracy of the images.