Article

Whiplash injuries of the cervical spine comprise 30% of injuries reported
following motor vehicle accident (MVA) and often progress to chronic painful
conditions. The purpose of this case report is to describe the management of a
37-year-old female referred to physical therapy with neck and shoulder pain after
whiplash injury. The patient demonstrated limited cervical and shoulder active
range of motion as well as quantitative sensory testing (QST) results consistent
with central nervous system sensitization. She was treated for 11 visits over a
6-week period with manual therapy and specific exercise directed to the
cervicothoracic spine. Her pain decreased from 9/10 to 2/10 by the end of
treatment and remained improved at 1/10 at the 6-month follow-up. Her Copenhagen
Neck Functional Disability Scale decreased from 23/30 to 4/30 by the 11th visit.
In addition, she demonstrated clinically significant increases in cervical active
range of motion and normal somatosensation. Manual therapy of the cervicothoracic
spine may be a beneficial adjunct to the standard care of patients with signs and
symptoms of central sensitization after whiplash-associated disorder and primary
report of neck and shoulder pain.

Langue : ANGLAIS