Abstract.
Outcome following whiplash injury of the cervical spine is variable, and the pathology of those with prolonged symptoms is uncertain. We undertook a prospective study in 25 patients to identify whether those with prolonged symptoms following whiplash injury exhibit a rise in serum creatine kinase consistent with significant muscle damage at the time of injury. Transient rise in creatine kinase level was seen in only 2 of 25 patients, neither of whom complained of prolonged symptoms. Of the 8 patients who developed chronic symptoms following whiplash injury, none demonstrated a serum creatine kinase rise. Prolonged symptoms following whiplash injury cannot be explained by biochemically measurable muscle damage.
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Scott, S., Sanderson, P. Whiplash: a biochemical study of muscle injury. Eur Spine J 11, 389–392 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-002-0410-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-002-0410-1