Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of Craniovertebral Ligaments and Membranes After Whiplash Trauma

Spine. 2006

High-grade changes in the delicate ligaments of the upper cervical spine are often overlooked in injury cases. New research that compares whiplash patients to uninjured individuals indicates that these types of changes are directly caused by forces experienced during whiplash trauma.

Understanding, evaluating, and documenting soft tissue injuries to the upper cervical spine play an important role in accurately demonstrating the injuries sustained in automobile accidents. These findings also assist physicians with their clinical decision making. Without the proper documentation of these injuries, it’s likely that your clients may not have a complete and accurate assessment of their injuries.

Our practice is focused on providing a thorough evaluation to determine the full extent of our patients injuries so that our colleagues have a complete and accurate assessment of their clinical picture.

“…whiplash patients have found long-term symptoms in 24%-70%, among whom 12%-16% are severely impaired many years after the accident interfering with their job and everyday activities.”

“The alar ligaments are the main restraints to axial rotation and lateral bending in the upper cervical spine.”

“We found significantly more high-grade alar ligament lesions among those with rotated head position (85.1%) than among those with neutral head position (46.7%).”