Treatment for Whiplash Injury

Summary

Objective: Cervical facet joint (CFJ) pain is commonly seen after whiplash injuries, and is frequently refractory to physical therapy and oral medication. The investigators will evaluate the effectiveness of intra-articular corticosteroid injection for managing whiplash-related CFJ pain. Methods: The investigators will recruit 32 patients with chronic and persistent CFJ pain (≥ 3 on the Numeric Rating Scale \[NRS\]) despite physical therapy and oral medication. Under fluoroscopy guidance, The investigators will inject 10 mg (0.25 mL) of triamcinolone acetonide, mixed with 0.25 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.5 mL of normal saline. At 1 and 2 months after the injection, pain intensity will be reassessed using the NRS.

Timeline

Start

2021-07-15

Primary completion

2021-09-15

Completion

2021-10-15

Publications

• Background Crouch R, Whitewick R, Clancy M, Wright P, Thomas P. Whiplash associated disorder: incidence and natural history over the first month for patients presenting to a UK emergency department. Emerg Med J. 2006 Feb;23(2):114-8. doi: 10.1136/emj.2004.022145.
• Background Dory MA. Arthrography of the cervical facet joints. Radiology. 1983 Aug;148(2):379-82. doi: 10.1148/radiology.148.2.6867328.
• Background Dussault RG, Nicolet VM. Cervical facet joint arthrography. J Can Assoc Radiol. 1985 Mar;36(1):79-80.
• Background Hove B, Gyldensted C. Cervical analgesic facet joint arthrography. Neuroradiology. 1990;32(6):456-9. doi: 10.1007/BF02426454.
• Background Lim JW, Cho YW, Lee DG, Chang MC. Comparison of Intraarticular Pulsed Radiofrequency and Intraarticular Corticosteroid Injection for Management of Cervical Facet Joint Pain. Pain Physician. 2017 Sep;20(6):E961-E967.
• Background Roy DF, Fleury J, Fontaine SB, Dussault RG. Clinical evaluation of cervical facet joint infiltration. Can Assoc Radiol J. 1988 Jun;39(2):118-20.

Drugs

Indications

No indication recorded.