Five percent of the population have suffered a whiplash injury. Of these, 4
3% suffer long-term symptoms. We undertook a retrospective study of 79 pati
ents who had suffered two whiplash injuries. The severity of each patient's
symptoms was assessed after the first and second injuries using the Gargan
and Bannister classification. Overall, 84% of patients reported increased
symptoms following the second injury. Ninety-seven percent of patients who
had been symptom free before the second injury reported persisting discomfo
rt. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.