Multiple Car Accidents can cause major changes in the neck

Have you been involved in multiple in car accidents? Have you had multiple incidences of whiplash in your neck?
Whiplash Motion that occurs
with an Motor Vehicle Accident

A recent study shows that persistent whiplash motions can cause changes in kinesthestic sense and motor control in the neck. However, the evidence is still inconclusive particularly for differences between whiplash patients and patients with chronic traumatic neck pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate motor control deficits in Whiplash patients and compare them with chronic non-traumatic neck pain and healthy controls in relation to cervical range of motion (ROM), conjunct motion, joint position error and ROM-variability.

This study involved three different groups: 59 patients with persistent whiplash associated disorderss (WAD), 57 patients with chronic non-traumatic neck pain and 57 asymptomatic volunteers.

A 3D motion tracking system (Fastrak) was used to record maximal range of motion in the three cardinal planes of the cervical spine (sagittal, frontal and horizontal), and concurrent motion in the two associated cardinal planes relative to each primary plane were used to express conjunct motion. Joint position error was registered as the difference in head positions before and after cervical rotations.

The results of this study showed decreased conjunct motion found for WAD and chronic neck pain patients compared to asymptomatic subjects. This was most evident during cervical rotation.

Reduced conjunct motion was not explained by current pain or by range of motion in the primary plane. Total conjunct motion during primary rotation was 13.9 degrees (95 % CI; 12.2-15.6) for the WAD group, 17.9 degrees (95 % CI; 16.1-19.6) for the chronic neck pain group and 25.9 degrees (95 % CI; 23.7-28.1) for the asymptomatic group.

As expected, maximal cervical range of motion was significantly reduced among the WAD patients compared to both control groups. No group differences were found in maximal ROM-variability or joint position error.

Conclusions: Altered movement patterns in the cervical spine were found for both pain groups, indicating changes in motor control strategies.

The changes were not related to a history of neck trauma, nor to current pain, but more likely due to long-lasting pain. No group differences were found for kinaesthetic sense.

In other words, whiplash type injuries can cause lasting effects in your neck reducing the normal motion especially the ability to turn your head!

Author: Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008, 9:90, Author: Astrid Woodhouse and Ottar Vasseljen