A whiplash injury is a soft tissue injury of the neck caused by a sudden, forceful movement involving rapid hyperextension followed by flexion of the head, resembling the motion of a cracking whip. It most commonly occurs in rear-end motor vehicle collisions, but it may also result from sports injuries, falls, or other traumatic events that produce a sudden acceleration–deceleration force affecting the head and cervical spine.
This type of injury primarily involves the muscles, ligaments, and joint capsules of the cervical spine, often without causing visible structural damage on standard imaging studies. Symptoms may not appear immediately and frequently develop several hours or even days after the incident. They may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and, in some cases, pain radiating to the shoulders or upper limbs.
Diagnosis is mainly based on the mechanism of injury, the patient's medical history, and clinical examination. Imaging studies are primarily used to exclude more serious conditions, such as fractures, spinal instability, or significant structural damage.
Treatment is usually conservative and includes short-term rest, pain-relieving medication, and early initiation of physical therapy with targeted mobility and strengthening exercises. Prolonged immobilization is generally avoided, as it has been associated with slower recovery. In most cases, symptoms gradually resolve within weeks to months; however, a proportion of patients may develop chronic neck pain and persistent stiffness, leading to a long-term cervical pain syndrome.