Neck injuries in car collisions - Injury mechanisms

The symptoms of injury following neck trauma in rear-end collisions include pain, weakness or abnormal responses in the parts of the body (mainly the neck, shoulders and upper back) that are connected to the central nervous system via the cervical nerve-roots(Table A). Vision disorder, dizziness, headaches, unconsciousness, and neurological symptoms in the upper extremities are other symptoms that have been reported (Deans et al., 1987; Hildingsson, 1991; Nygren et al., 1985; Spitzer et al., 1995; Sturzenegger et al., 1995; Watkinson et al., 1991). The neck injury symptoms appear to be very similar for all impact directions (Minton et al., 2000).