A whiplash injury occurs when your head and neck are violently thrust in one direction. If you are unexpectedly tackled from behind in a football game or you are rear ended by a driver who couldn’t stop in time, the abrupt force can cause your head to snap backwards or forwards, traumatizing the soft tissues and even the vertebrae in the neck region.
Fortunately, because it is oftentimes the muscles and soft tissues in the area that are strained during this movement, you likely will not need surgery to make a strong recovery. That said, there are certain injuries or issues that could develop during your recovery that suggest a surgical procedure is in your best interest. Below, we take a closer look at why you may need surgery after your whiplash injury.
Surgery For Whiplash Injuries
As we alluded to in the intro, the vast majority of whiplash cases will be managed nonoperatively. Oftentimes short-term rest followed by physical therapy and stretching techniques can allow the tissues to heal and then restrengthen. However, for a small minority, they end up needing more hands-on care in the form of a surgical procedure. Here’s a look at some whiplash-related injuries that may require surgical intervention:
- Herniated Disc – It typically takes a lot of force for a spinal disc to herniate, but if your discs are a bit weaker due to natural aging or other risk factors, there’s a possibility that the strain from the whiplash injury causes that disc nucleus to break through the fibrous outer layer. This herniation can affect nearby spinal nerves, causing shooting pain and discomfort. Many herniated discs can be treated with non-operative means, but surgery may be an option for more severe cases or those that do not respond well to conservative care.
- Spinal Stenosis – Trauma to the cervical spine can also lead to a narrowing of the spinal canal in the area. If spinal nerves do not have enough room to pass through the area freely, they can become impinged or damaged, leading to a range of uncomfortable symptoms. Surgery to address spinal stenosis typically focuses on removing part or all of the lamina, which is a bony plate on the back of each vertebrae. A laminectomy or laminoplasty can provide more room for your spinal nerves to pass unimpeded.
- Vertebral Fracture/Displacement – Finally, if any vertebrae were damaged, fractured or displaced from their proper position as a result of the whiplash trauma, your spine surgeon may recommend a surgical procedure. While fractures can oftentimes heal on their own, displaced vertebrae or fractures that aren’t healing as expected may require surgical repair or stabilization. An X-ray or similar imaging test can help a doctor better understand the effects of the whiplash injury on your vertebral column.
We’re confident that we can help you overcome your whiplash injuries with conservative treatments, but we also know that Dr. Sinicropi can perform a corrective procedure should your injuries require that level of care. For more information about whiplash injuries, or to talk to a doctor about discomfort you’ve been experiencing in your neck or back following a whiplash-style injury, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
