Influence of whiplash injury on cervical spine stability

Abstract

The aim of this study was to define the influence of whiplash injury on cervical spine stability. The study involved 72 patients who had suffered from sprain injury to cervical spine of 0⁰-III⁰ according to QTF. To verify the results the authors examined the control group whose representatives have never suffered from any cervical spine injury and met all the exclusion criteria. Conventional plain radiographs in both groups showed three lateral views: maximum flexion, neutral (resting) position and maximum extension view. The results of image studies were subjected to roentgenometric analysis to find mechanical symptoms of instability according to radiological criteria: AADI, anterior translation and regional angulation. The authors demonstrated that there was no influence of whiplash injury on mechanical stability of cervical spine measured on radiograms in static-functional lateral views.