What is the potential risk of 'whiplash' injuries?

Whiplash injuries primarily result from sudden acceleration-deceleration forces, often experienced during rear-end vehicle collisions. The mechanism of injury causes the head to be forcefully thrown back and then forward, affecting the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

The potential risk associated with whiplash injuries includes long-term neck pain and various neurological symptoms. Chronic neck pain can persist long after the initial injury, leading to ongoing discomfort, stiffness, and even headaches. Neurological symptoms may arise due to the impact on the cervical spine and the surrounding nerves, potentially resulting in sensations such as tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms or hands.

While some might consider immediate loss of consciousness or permanent paralysis as possible outcomes of head injuries, these are more typically associated with severe traumatic brain injuries rather than whiplash. Whiplash generally does not cause increased range of motion in the neck; instead, it may lead to decreased mobility due to pain and stiffness. Thus, the primary risk of long-term effects from whiplash is indeed the chronic neck pain and associated neurological symptoms.