Review Article
Pathology and Treatment of Traumatic Cervical Spine Syndrome: Whiplash Injury
Table 3
Clinical spectrum of whiplash-associated disorders as proposed by the Quebec Task Force [
2].
| Grade | Presumed pathology | Clinical presentation |
| I | Microscopic or multimicroscopic lesion Lesion is not serious enough to cause muscle spasm | Usually presents to a doctor more than 24 h after trauma |
| II | Neck sprain and bleeding around soft tissue (articular capsules, ligaments, tendons, and muscles) Muscle spasm secondary to soft tissue injury | Usually presents to a doctor in the first 24 h after trauma | Nonspecific radiation to the head, face, occipital region, shoulder, and arm form soft tissues injuries | Neck pain with limited range of motion due to muscle spasm |
| III | Injuries to neurologic system by mechanical injury or by irritation secondary to bleeding or inflammation | Presents to a doctor usually within a few hours after the trauma | Limited range of motion combined with neurologic symptoms and signs |
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