Episode 2: Cervical Instability

In his recent podcast, Dr. Brandon Carter dives into the misunderstood world of ligament injuries, specifically focusing on whiplash accidents. He emphasizes that these injuries, often overlooked, can have long-term impacts resulting in chronic pain for patients. Based on his experience, the majority of practitioners fail to fully comprehend instability, leading to misdiagnoses and ineffective treatment plans.

Dr. Carter challenges the common insurance perspective that undermines the severity of whiplash, arguing that it's not just a self-resolving issue. About one-third of acute and subacute injuries like whiplash develop into chronic problems. Speed or vehicle damage are not accurate indicators of injury severity; in fact, instability can result even from accidents at a very low velocity.

Through research findings, the blog highlights that 5% of patients with whiplash injuries can develop significant disability and reduced quality of life, pointing to the need for better understanding of the exact nature of injuries for effective treatment.

Importantly, Dr. Carter explains that ligament injuries are more than just angular or translational instability - they are a sign of ligaments being damaged beyond the body's ability to repair, potentially leading to osteophytes, degeneration, and chronic pain.

He also highlights the need to consider ligament damage when persistent neck pain continues past three to six months. Standard treatments often prove inadequate for such cases. The blog provides a comprehensive understanding of cervical anatomy and discusses conditions related to whiplash-associated disorder, including cervical instability, Baret-Lieu syndrome, concussion, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The discussion also includes insights into diagnosing instability, understanding angular and translational instability, and recognizing the difference between instability and hypermobility. Crucially, Dr. Carter underscores the need for an evidence-based approach to ligament injuries to improve patient care and treatment outcomes.

Listen to this podcast for a deeper understanding of the complexities and implications of ligament injuries.