Subacromial impingement in patients with whiplash injury to the cervical spine
2008

Shoulder Pain and Impingement After Whiplash Injury

Sample size: 220 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Abbassian Ali, Giddins Grey E

Primary Institution: Mayday University Hospital

Hypothesis

This study aims to establish the association between subacromial impingement and whiplash injuries to the cervical spine.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of patients present with shoulder pain after a neck injury, some of whom have treatable conditions like impingement syndrome, which is often overlooked.

Supporting Evidence

  • 26% of patients developed shoulder pain after neck injuries.
  • 5% of patients had clinical signs of impingement syndrome.
  • 83% of shoulders with impingement were affected by seatbelt trauma.

Takeaway

If you hurt your neck in a car accident and your shoulder hurts too, it might be because of a problem called impingement, which doctors sometimes miss.

Methodology

220 patients were assessed for clinical evidence of subacromial impingement after whiplash injuries, with evaluations including clinical tests and imaging.

Potential Biases

The sample may not represent the general population due to the legal context of the patients.

Limitations

The study is based on patients in legal proceedings and may not reflect the general population; diagnosis was primarily clinical without universal imaging.

Participant Demographics

The average age of participants was 38 years, with a male to female ratio of 1:1.3.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.002

Statistical Significance

p<0.03

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1749-799X-3-25

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