[Whiplash injury--a confusing concept].

The functional anatomy of the cervical spine, the biomechanics of lesions due to rear end collisions, the human behaviour of victims of these collisions and the influence of insurance, legislation, court decisions and the modalities and duration of treatment are discussed in a survey of the literature on lesions of the cervical spine due to rear end collisions. The problems posed by changed court rulings on lesions of the cervical spine due to rear end collisions are mentioned, as well as the danger of producing a "whiplash" compensation epidemic. It appears that immediate treatment of the lesion avoiding manipulation, long immobilization and delay in decisions on compensation may reduce the frequency, intensity and duration of symptoms. The symptoms usually remit after settlement of compensation and seldom give rise to substantial disability. The prevention of lesions of the cervical spine and head due to rear end collisions will only be possible if car safety engineers succeed in preventing rear end collisions and/or in ending hyperextension by appropriate devices. The head supports in use today are not sufficient to prevent hyperextension of the cervical spine.