Whiplash Injury Flashcards
Hx
31 yr old F, RTA, next day has severe neck pain and stiffness, no hx, on OCP
Look
cervical posture, holding head stiffly
Feel
tenderness of cervical musculature
check for tenderness over vertebrae [non-tender]
active movement
limited active ROM of cervical spine
pain and reduced ROM secondary to same is usually positive sign found on exam
passive movement
not done
resisted movement
not expected
other exams
full neuro exam of upper limbs
l shoulder exam
DDx
whiplash injury
spinal fracture
cervical disc protrusion
why is whiplash injury likely?
typical hx, post RTA, a/w pain limited active movement of neck, normal c spine on X-ray
why is spinal fracture unlikely?
delay of onset of symptoms, non-tender vertebrae, normal c spine X-ray in ED
why is c spine disc protrusion unlikely?
normal neuro exam upper limbs
investigations
not necessary
if dx doubt, repeat X-ray c spine, MRI c spine
check for disc bulge/ herniation
non-op tx
analgesia
physio
