| Whiplash is common in car crashes. But is it real? In | | | | area by doing a search on the internet. |
| the past it was not possible to "prove" whiplash. That | | | | Flexion-Extension Study |
| left some badly injured people unable to get fair | | | | While an ordinary set of x-rays will not show whiplash |
| compensation for their pain. | | | | there is a special set that will. This three-view study of |
| Whiplash is defined in the Mosby Medical Encyclopedia | | | | the neck is taken from the side while the head is |
| as "an injury to the neck vertebrae or their supporting | | | | forward (flexion), straight up, and backward |
| ligaments and muscles. There is pain and stiffness. It | | | | (extension). The forward and backward views are |
| usually results from sudden speeding or slowing down, | | | | then compared. Excessive movement (known as |
| as in a rear-end collision that causes a violent back | | | | "translation") is measured and if more than 3.5 |
| and forth movement of the head and neck." | | | | millimeters the finding is considered abnormal. |
| Injuries from whiplash can range from minor sprains | | | | Under the American Medical Association Guides to the |
| that heal quickly to severe spine damage that results in | | | | Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) |
| death. So there really is no "basic compensation" for | | | | this condition qualifies for a very large impairment |
| whiplash. | | | | rating. |
| Sometimes the supporting ligaments and muscles do | | | | For case workup purposes it is best if the x-rays are |
| not heal quickly. There can be a great deal of pain. | | | | taken under the supervision of and read by a board |
| This is unfortunate because damage to ligaments and | | | | certified radiologist medical doctor who has experience |
| muscles does not show up on ordinary x-rays. | | | | reading this type of x-ray. |
| To get fair compensation for whiplash you need to | | | | Special software has been developed to read these |
| prove it in an objective fashion. Finders of fact like | | | | x-rays. Reports based on this software have been |
| juries and arbitrators are not sympathetic to mere | | | | very persuasive with fact-finders such as mediators |
| complaints of pain. They need to see it. | | | | and arbitrators as they take the human element out of |
| There are several methods of showing whiplash injury. | | | | the diagnosis. |
| Thermography | | | | Finding an expert in this type of test is a little more |
| Thermography is a method for sensing and recording | | | | difficult. You may need to do a little research to find |
| on film hot and cold areas of the body by means of | | | | one in your area. |
| an infrared detector that reacts to blood flow. | | | | Conclusion |
| Thermography pictures often show whiplash type | | | | Thanks to modern science, methods have been |
| damage to muscles and ligaments as areas of | | | | developed to show in an objective fashion the |
| "hyperthermia"--a much higher than normal body | | | | physiological and anatomical consequences of |
| temperature. | | | | whiplash. |
| You may be able to find a thermography clinic in your | | | | |