Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal development of neck muscle function
following whiplash injuries. DESIGN: A 1-year prospective, controlled
observational study. SUBJECTS: A total of 141 individuals exposed to whiplash
injury due to rear-end vehicle collisions and 40 age- and sex-matched controls
with acute ankle distortion. METHODS: Neck muscle strength and endurance during
cervical flexion and extension were measured at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6
months and 1 year after injury. RESULTS: Notable reductions (23-30%) of neck
strength in both directions were seen for whiplash-exposed subjects at all time
points, compared with controls. Also, extensor endurance was reduced at 1 week, 1
month, 3 months, 6 months* and 1 year* (*non-significant). Within the whiplash
group, non-recovered individuals (individuals who had not returned to pre-injury
work capacity at one year) displayed ~50% reductions in cervical strength in both
directions at all time points, compared with recovered whiplash individuals.
CONCLUSION: Cervical muscular functioning is impaired for at least one year after
whiplash injury, well beyond the time course of recovery of neck mobility and
pain sensations. In whiplash-exposed individuals, non-recovery is associated with
considerable muscular weakness. There is a need for increased clinical focus on
early neck function after whiplash injury.

Langue : ANGLAIS