This textbook, which comprises thirty-five chapters by more than sixty-five authors (several of whom are very well known), covers anatomy, biomechanics, epidemiology, neuroradiology, psychology, nonoperative care, and operative intervention. Although whiplash injury is a very common occurrence, not much is known about it.
Whiplash is a very broad term. The manifestations of this injury range from minimum to very substantial soft-tissue injury associated with both acute and long-term sequelae. If the injury is major, it can result in late instability and early degenerative changes.
Each chapter was written by experts on a specific aspect of whiplash injury. The text initiated a preliminary impairment rating, based on an understanding of the biomechanics of the injury. The only area that is somewhat subject to question is the ability to appropriately diagnose and, therefore, to appropriately treat these injuries. There are no solid diagnostic tools, even though magnetic resonance imaging and blocks of various types allow better localization than was possible previously.
The topic of prevention is covered by several authors, who discuss automobile and head-restraint designs. These initial tools perhaps will be helpful in decreasing the extent of the injury in future accidents.
The scope of this book is broader than the general topic of whiplash injury, but the text only begins to delve into specifics. While it may be useful to researchers as a reference, it is not sufficiently complete, in its present form, to be the definitive text on the subject. Additional work in this very important area should continue.
Hansen Yuan, M.D.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
State University of New York Health Science Center
Syracuse, New York