Whiplash and Cervical Stenosis: Is There a Link?

Car accidents happen all the time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 1.5 million motor vehicle crashes result in an injury in any given year. And as far as car accident injuries go, whiplash might not seem like a catastrophic outcome. 

Usually, people with whiplash heal in a few weeks and don’t have any lasting side effects. But that sudden jerking of your neck can fundamentally change your spine. If you’re still dealing with neck pain months — or even years — later, it’s time to do something about it. 

Specifically, you can visit Patrick S Hill, MD, at our office in Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California. He can apply his expertise in car accident injuries to help you find relief from your neck pain.

Generally, that starts with identifying the root cause of your neck pain. If you have lasting effects from an accident that caused whiplash, it could be cervical stenosis. 

Why whiplash and cervical stenosis can occur together

Whiplash doesn’t necessarily cause cervical stenosis, but the two conditions can occur together. When you get into a car accident that causes a sudden jerking motion of your head, it can affect your spinal column. That can cause whiplash, but it might also cause cervical stenosis. 

In fact, what you thought was whiplash could actually be the latter. That’s because these two conditions have similar symptoms, including:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Numbness 
• Loss of mobility in your neck (i.e., limited ability to turn your head because of pain)
• Tingling or numbness in your arms

Therefore, if you thought you had whiplash after a car accident, but your neck isn’t getting better, cervical stenosis could actually be the culprit.

Understanding and alleviating cervical stenosis

You get cervical stenosis when the spinal column near your neck narrows, putting pressure on the nerves. 

At our office, Dr. Hill can evaluate your spine and determine if the traumatic injury from your car accident caused lasting effects. If you have cervical stenosis, he works with you to find a personalized treatment that brings you relief. 

Usually, that starts with conservative options like neck bracing and physical therapy. 

If your neck pain doesn’t improve, Dr. Hill can also explore minimally invasive spine surgery with you. Through tiny incisions, he can create more space in your spinal canal. That takes the pressure off the nerves causing your pain, giving you lasting relief. 

In short, whiplash doesn’t cause cervical stenosis. However, the two conditions can both be caused by the same car accident. So if you’re living with neck pain that isn’t improving, call our office or schedule your appointment with Dr. Hill online today.