THE LATE WHIPLASH SYNDROME

Abstract

A condition commonly seen after motor vehicle accidents is studied. This is the “late whiplash” syndrome, which is defined as a collection of symptoms and disabilities seen more than six months after a neck injury occurring in a motor vehicle accident. A series of 300 cases is examined. With the use of factor analysis the syndrome is defined as consisting of headache, neckache, neck stiffness, and depression, as well as anxiety, all of which are strongly correlated with each other. There is, on the other hand, a poor correlation with physical or radiological abnormalities. The condition is common in women, especially in the 21 to 40 years' distribution. It is shown that social variables may be relevant in the production of the syndrome.