The Anatomy and Biomechanics of Acute and Chronic Whiplash Injury
Journal article, 2009

Whiplash injury is the most common motor vehicle injury, yet it is also one of the most poorly understood. Here we examine the evidence supporting an organic basis for acute and chronic whiplash injuries and review the anatomical sites within the neck that are potentially injured during these collisions. For each proposed anatomical site—facet joints, spinal ligaments,intervertebral discs, vertebral arteries, dorsal root ganglia, and neck muscles—we present the clinical evidence supporting that injury site, its relevant anatomy, the mechanism of and tolerance to injury, and the future research needed to determine whether that site is responsible for some whiplash injuries. This article serves as a snapshot of the current state of whiplash biomechanics research and provides a roadmap for future research to better understand and ultimately prevent whiplash injuries.

Tolerance

Injury mechanisms

Neck

Whiplash injury

Biomechanics

Acute and chronic injury

Author

Gunter P. Siegmund

University of British Columbia (UBC)

MEA Forensic Engineers and Scientists

Beth A. Winkelstein

University of Pennsylvania

Paul C. Ivancic

Yale University

Mats Svensson

Chalmers, Applied Mechanics, Vehicle Safety

Anita Vasavada

Washington State University Pullman

Traffic Injury Prevention

1538-9588 (ISSN) 1538-957X (eISSN)

Vol. 10 2 101-112

Subject Categories

Surgery

Vehicle Engineering

DOI

10.1080/15389580802593269

More information

Latest update

3/29/2018