A look at how ultrasound can detect whiplash injuries

Ultrasound could speed up whiplash compensation claims

Research being carried out by Nottingham University reveals that ultrasound can be successfully used to provide information about neck injuries, such as swelling of the neck muscles after a whiplash injury.

This is important because while conventional X-rays reveal how the vertebrae and spinal column have been affected by a car accident or other accident, they rarely reveal signs of muscle damage.

A diagnostic treatment that indicates muscle damage like ultrasound can speed up a medical analysis of whiplash and ensure those that have experienced the injury get their compensation payouts more quickly.

At the moment, whiplash sufferers have to undergo a physical examination from their doctor and possibly an X-ray diagnosis before a compensation claim can be considered. This process may take some time and compensation cases may subsequently be dragged out for longer than necessary. Read more about diagnosis of whiplash injuries.

Researcher Mandy Roshier at Nottingham University says: "It's a win-win situation. Car insurance companies want to see evidence of injury before paying out and those suffering want answers."

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a procedure where high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues to create echoes. The echo patterns form a picture of body tissues called a sonogram, which appears on the ultrasound machine.

Ultrasound is usually used to monitor fetal development and shows pictures of the baby moving inside the womb. The Nottingham University research shows that it can also be used to reveal information about damaged nerve roots and swollen neck muscles. This is because when muscle tissue becomes inflamed, it retains water and appears in sharp contrast to other tissue on the screen.

What happens during a normal procedure?

Ultrasound was originally developed to track submarines during World War 1. It was first used medically in the Fifties and is considered very safe.

During an ultrasound treatment, high-frequency sound waves pass through the body from a small device called a transducer which is placed on your body. A gel or oil is normally put on the skin to improve contact between your body and the transducer. You will probably be asked to lie down on a bed or a table while the sound waves (one to five megahertz) pulse through you.

During the treatment, which takes about half an hour to an hour, the reflected waves are picked up and relayed back to the ultrasound machine. This produces a picture on the screen of the ultrasound machine. Medical staff then analyse the picture produced and are likely to determine whether you have sustained a whiplash injury.

Making a whiplash injury claim

Necks and spines can be easily damaged in a car accident and when they are, physical equilibrium and your ability to function normally is impaired. This may mean that you have to take time off work and risk losing your earnings.

However, you are entitled to make a compensation claim if you are suffering any whiplash-related injury as the result of a non-fault accident.

Our team are specialists in personal injury compensation cases and have an excellent success rate. Call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will talk you through the claims process and let you know how you can make a whiplash injury claim today.