Headache Following Neck Injuries

Effect of whiplash injury on accommodation

“…Visual and ocular disturbances resulting specifically from a so‐called whiplash injury have been widely reported in the English‐speaking literature 1−26 . The most commonly reported ocular signs and symptoms following whiplash injury are blurred vision, 1,6,13,14,17−23 visual disturbances 1−5,8,10,12 , and defective accommodation 7,10−15,20,24 .…”

Headaches in Children

“…(It should be routine now to examine the neck physically and the X-rays of the cervical spine in every headache in children as well as in adults ). [1][2][3][4] Eyes were checked for possible refractive error or ocular disturbance. Many times, repeated examinations were carried out at frequent intervals especially in those children who had headaches of short duration.…”

“…Nevertheless, the occurrence of headaches of cervical origin very often may be delayed for days, weeks or months after the original accident. [1][2][3][4][6][7][8][9][10]…”

“…In some cases, where the child is very apprehensive or the symptoms are not relieved by office traction, it may be necessary to hospitalize the child for intermittent traction for 7-14 days and then complete treatment at the office. [1][2][3][4] Children tolerate traction extremely well once the apprehensiveness and fear are removed.…”

More Recent Concepts on Treatment of Headache

“…The cervical spine may be injured by direct blow on the neck, or more often by indirect force exerted upon the neck in many different types of accidents varying from falling on the outstretched hands to sudden jerking of the neck as occurs in the so-called "whiplash injury to the neck" following automobile accidents. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] Naturally, the greater the trauma to the neck, the more likely is the cervical spine to be damaged. Repeated strain or minor injury to the neck may be all that is necessary to precipitate cervical nerve irritation, It is important to realize that a history of frank trauma very often may not be obtained from the patient for many reasons.…”