Whiplash
An accident that happens in seconds can cause whiplash pain that persists for years, severely impacting your sleep, your level of activity and your ability to enjoy life. But Hoag has what it takes to help you heal. At Hoag Spine Center, we aim to provide the most conservative treatment options available to ensure the best possible outcome for every patient, including those suffering from sudden or chronic spinal injuries due to whiplash. You don't have to hurt. Trust Orange County's choice for spinal care. Trust Hoag.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. The most common cause of whiplash is being struck from behind in a rear-end car accident, but it can also result from contact sports collisions, domestic violence or assault, and other injuries such as a bad fall.
How is whiplash diagnosed?
A doctor will assess your symptoms and complete a physical examination. CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show details of damaged soft tissues, though a doctor may diagnose a whiplash injury with a physical exam alone.
What are the risk factors for whiplash?
Whiplash usually happens suddenly by accident or trauma, so there are no common risk factors. The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Discomfort that intensifies when turning the head side to side
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Numbness and tingling in the arms, shoulder
- Upper/lower back pain
- Jaw pain
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing of the ear)
- Double/blurred vision
- Moodiness
- Memory loss
- Nausea and vomiting
I’ve been diagnosed with whiplash. Now What do I do?
You don’t have to hurt. When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for whiplash?
Most people heal from whiplash after a few weeks of following their doctor’s treatment plan, including whiplash pain medication, physical therapy and exercise. Other patients can face chronic neck pain and lifelong health issues.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.
What is whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. The most common cause of whiplash is being struck from behind in a rear-end car accident, but it can also result from contact sports collisions, domestic violence or assault, and other injuries such as a bad fall.
How is whiplash diagnosed?
A doctor will assess your symptoms and complete a physical examination. CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can show details of damaged soft tissues, though a doctor may diagnose a whiplash injury with a physical exam alone.
What are the risk factors for whiplash?
Whiplash usually happens suddenly by accident or trauma, so there are no common risk factors. The symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Discomfort that intensifies when turning the head side to side
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Numbness and tingling in the arms, shoulder
- Upper/lower back pain
- Jaw pain
- Dizziness
- Tinnitus (ringing of the ear)
- Double/blurred vision
- Moodiness
- Memory loss
- Nausea and vomiting
I’ve been diagnosed with whiplash. Now What do I do?
You don’t have to hurt. When you need spine care in Orange County, trust Hoag. At Hoag, our fellowship-trained team of spine specialists is here to help get you back to doing the things that matter most. We’re committed to treating you like a person, not a chart. Hoag provides the latest technology and treatments, with minimally-invasive techniques designed to help you recover quicker with less pain. Meet the Hoag Spine Center Team.
What treatments are available for whiplash?
Most people heal from whiplash after a few weeks of following their doctor’s treatment plan, including whiplash pain medication, physical therapy and exercise. Other patients can face chronic neck pain and lifelong health issues.
Minimally-invasive robotic spinal surgery at Hoag
When your spine is on the line, trust Hoag for spine surgery. Hoag was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer the Mazor X Stealth™ advanced robotic navigation platform for spinal surgery. Combining 3D pre-operative planning tools with robotic precision, the system provides surgeons with advanced visualization of your body’s unique internal structures, and you with the great chance to come back strong from back surgery. Learn more about advanced robotic surgery at Hoag.
Award-Winning Care for the Spine at Hoag
There’s a reason why U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-2023 list of top hospitals ranked Hoag as High Performing — their top distinction — in neurology, neurosurgery and spinal fusion. A higher standard of care. Accurate diagnosis for more successful treatment. A multidisciplinary team of spine-care specialists who are committed to seeing you heal. That’s spinal care at Hoag. Read an essay about a real Hoag patient’s spine-care journey.
Confused about your condition? Trust Hoag Nurse Navigators
Facing a health issue that could involve surgery can be confusing for anyone. That’s why the Hoag Spine Center offers our unique Nurse Navigator program. These trained nurses are there for you, both as a guide and a resource for medically-accurate information about your unique diagnosis. It’s one more way Hoag is here for you through your journey as a patient, every step of the way. Get started with our spine nurse navigator.