Treatment for Whiplash Injury

The Effectiveness of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection in Patients With Whiplash-related Neck Pain

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.

Patients in the injection group will be injected 10 mg (0.25 mL) of triamcinolone acetonide, mixed with 0.25 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.5 mL of normal saline.

Triamcinolone acetonide is a synthetic corticosteroid medication used intra-articularly to treat various joint conditions. Bupivacaine is a medication used to decrease feeling in a specific area. In nerve blocks, it is injected around a nerve that supplies the area, or into the spinal canal's epidural space. Saline is most commonly used as a sterile 9 g of salt per litre (0.9%) solution, known as normal saline. The procedure will be performed with the patient in a prone position under a C-arm fluoroscopy scanner, with the thorax rests on 2 pillows, flexing the neck maximally, and the head turns 60-90° away from the side of injection. The C-arm tube will be angled cephalad, until it was at a tangent to the cervical facet joint space. A 26-gauge, 90 mm spinal needle will be inserted parallel to the C-arm beam. To confirm intra-articular placement of the needle tip, an arthrogram of the cervical facet joint will be performed by injecting 0.3 mL of contrast.

The investigators will be assessed pain intensity using the NRS score as the primary outcome. Average pain intensity during the 24 hours before NRS assessment will be investigated. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is the simplest and most commonly used numeric scale in which people rate the pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).

The investigators will be assessed pain intensity using the NRS score as the primary outcome. Average pain intensity during the 24 hours before NRS assessment will be investigated. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is the simplest and most commonly used numeric scale in which people rate the pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).

The investigators will be assessed pain intensity using the NRS score as the primary outcome. Average pain intensity during the 24 hours before NRS assessment will be investigated. The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) is the simplest and most commonly used numeric scale in which people rate the pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain).

Inclusion Criteria: history of a traffic accident ≥ 3-month history of axial cervical pain after the accident without radicular symptoms whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) severity of Grade II (neck complaint, decreased range of motion of neck, and point tenderness) at first hospital visit failure to respond to physical therapy and oral medication (axial cervical pain of ≥ 3 on the numeric rating scale (NRS 0-10; 0, no pain; 10, worst pain imaginable) ≥ 80% temporary pain relief following a diagnostic block with an intra-articular (IA) injection of 0.3 mL of 2% lidocaine Exclusion Criteria: presence of cervical spine fracture, coagulopathy, iodinated contrast allergy, rheumatic disorders, and any uncontrolled medical or psychiatric condition

Participants' personal information will be stored for 3 years and then destroyed in accordance with relevant regulations. Personal information of individuals is kept strictly confidential and cannot be used for other research without personal consent.

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