Headache, neck pain, and neck mobility after acute whiplash injury - A prospective study

Study Design. A a-month prospective study of neck mobility in patients with acute whiplash injury and a control group with acute ankle distortion was conducted. Objectives. To assess active neck mobility after acute whiplash and ankle d istortion injuries, and to relate neck mobility to headache, neck pain, and speed of car at the time of collision. Summary of background data. A major problem after whiplash injury is restri ction of neck mobility immediately subsequent to trauma. It is, however, un clear whether neck mobility changes after the acute injury are related to t he associated headache and neck pain. Methods. Cervical range of neck motion, neck pain, and headache were assess ed after 1 week, then 1, 3, and 6 months after injury in 141 patients with acute whiplash injury, and in 40 patients with acute nonsport ankle distort ion. Results. Patients with whiplash injury had significantly reduced flexion, e xtension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the neck immediately after injur y, as compared with patients with ankle distortion injury. Neck mobility, h owever, was similar in the two groups after 3 months. In patients with whip lash injury, neck pain and neck mobility were found to be related inversely to reported headache and neck mobility. Neck mobility was not significantl y related to a difference in car speed at the time of collision. Conclusions. Neck mobility is reduced immediately after, but not 3 months a fter, a whiplash trauma. Headache and neck mobility are related inversely a nd neck pain and neck mobility are related inversely during the first 6 mon ths after acute whiplash injury.