The treatment of whiplash depends on the grade of the injury and associated neck damage. Grade 4 strains are the most serious of all and require immediate medical attention. Grade 4: Causes neck pain or stiffness with a neck fracture or dislocation.Grade 3: Causes neck pain or stiffness, with weakness, reduced reflexes, or other signs of nerve damage.Grade 2: Causes neck pain or stiffness with abnormal physical exam signs, like neck tenderness or a reduced range of motion.Grade 1: Causes neck pain or stiffness with no abnormalities noticed on physical exam.Whiplash injuries are graded, based on the symptoms and signs they cause.

The diagnosis of whiplash injury requires a comprehensive approach including a medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs of the neck. The symptoms of a whiplash injury may be felt right after the injury or be delayed for up to several days. Much less commonly, surgery to remove the herniated disc (called a cervical diskectomy) is performed.

Applying ice to the neck several times a day for 15 to 20 minutes.

Taking an anti-inflammatory medication like an NSAID.

Slowing down certain physical activities, like lifting.

Treatment of a herniated disc generally includes:

To confirm a diagnosis, your healthcare provider may recommend an MRI test. People with a herniated disc report symptoms of nerve root compression (radiculopathy) described as a burning or electric shock sensation that moves down one arm, along with numbness and/or weakness.Ī herniated disc can often be diagnosed by a medical history and physical examination. Annular tears may be brought on by either repeated or sudden, forceful stress to the spinal joint. Tears in the tough outer fibers of the disc, called annular tears, may lead to a herniation. With severe and/or persistent cases of degenerative disc disease, especially for nerve root or spinal cord involvement, surgery to alleviate the pressure is performed.Ī herniated disc occurs when the soft, rubbery substance that is normally contained to the inside of the disc (called the nucleus pulposus) escapes, and pinches or compresses on a nerve root. Steroid injections can also offer short-term relief. Typically, treatment with NSAIDs, ice, heat therapy, and physical therapy are recommended initially. Treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease depends on the severity of the symptoms, as well as whether any neurologic symptoms are present. In addition to a medical history and physical examination, imaging tests are sometimes performed to confirm a diagnosis of cervical degenerative disc disease. If the spinal cord becomes compressed as a result of degenerative changes, a person may develop other difficulties because of cervical myelopathy. This compression, called cervical radiculopathy, may cause symptoms of numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms and hands. This means that compression of spinal nerve roots may occur. Spinal degenerative changes progress with aging, notably with narrowing of the space between the discs and bone spur formation.

However, if symptoms are present, they usually include neck pain and stiffness that may get worse with movement. Cervical degenerative disc disease refers to 'wear and tear' changes to your neck that occur in the cervical spine discs as a normal part of aging.Ĭervical degenerative disc disease causes no symptoms in many cases.

Hard signs neck trauma