Whiplash Injuries and Neck Pain

Whiplash, also called cervical acceleration/ deceleration (or CAD) syndrome, is an injury that can cause a great deal of neck pain. It is commonly caused by car accidents, falls, and contact sports. It results from a quick, jerking motion that forces the neck beyond its normal range of motion.

When the head is suddenly and violently whipped back and forth, the cervical spine can be hyperextended, or forced past its normal range of motion. Moreover, This can injure the vertebrae, supporting ligaments, joints and muscles in the neck and cause neck pain.

Symptoms may occur immediately after an injury or several days later. Whiplash sufferers may experience neck pain and stiffness, headache, dizziness, difficulty chewing or swallowing, burning or prickling sensations, or shoulder and back pain.

Whiplash may be treated with a soft cervical collar that immobilizes the neck while it heals. Other treatments include medication, physical therapy and nerve blocks.

Treatments

Facet Joint Injection, A facet joint injection is a precise diagnostic tool that also provides excellent therapeutic results. Using fluoroscopic (x-ray) guidance, physicians are able to see and accurately target the affected joint(s). Moreover, Facet joints are the small joints located between each vertebra that provide the spine with both stability and flexibility. Facet syndrome occurs when one or more of these joints become inflamed or irritated. Additionally, Arthritis occurs when the cartilage lining the joint surface shrinks and wears thin, causing stress on the bone (bone spurs), inflammation, and enlargement of the joint.

Medial Branch Block, A medial branch block interrupts the sensory nerve supply to the involved facet joint through the use of a precise administration of an anesthetic agent and steroid. After a local skin anesthetic is applied, the physician uses fluoroscopy (x-ray) guidance to place a needle along the nerves that supply the inflamed joint.

Cervical Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy, Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat to create a lesion (damaged area) on the medial nerve. Moreover, The lesion impairs the medial nerve’s ability to transmit signals about facet joint pain. Because the nerve is “turned off,” pain is not felt.

Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy, Radiofrequency neurotomy is a procedure to reduce back and neck pain. It uses heat generated by radio waves to damage specific nerves and temporarily interfere with their ability to transmit pain signals.

Thoracic Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy, Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy uses heat to create a lesion on the medial nerve. Moreover, The lesion impairs the medial nerve’s ability to transmit signals about facet joint pain. Because the nerve is “turned off,” pain is not felt.

Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists is recognized as an industry leader in pain management. Moreover, We have a state-of-the-art facility in Reno, Nevada, that allows for us to offer the highest possible level of quality care of our patients. Our doctors and health care professionals can help.

We are committed to providing a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach for each individual’s pain complaints to provide the most appropriate care. Our approach includes analysis of biomechanics, joint motion, as well as skeletal, nerve and muscle tissues. Every individual is evaluated for the root cause of their pain – not just a “quick fix” approach to only provide symptomatic relief.

Your pain will be evaluated with latest diagnostic tools and technologies used by the professionals at Nevada Advanced Pain Specialists to make accurate assessments including: EMG/Nerve testing, MRIs, x-rays, bone scans, and diagnostic pain injections.