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Oculomotor problems after cervical spine injury.
C Hildingsson1, B I Wenngren, G Bring
1Department of Orthopedics, University of Umeå, Sweden.
Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica
|October 1, 1989
Summary
Chronic whiplash injury can impair oculomotor function, affecting eye movement velocity and accuracy. Asymptomatic patients showed normal eye movements, suggesting symptoms are linked to specific neurological changes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Soft-tissue injuries of the cervical spine, commonly known as whiplash, can lead to persistent symptoms.
- The neurological underpinnings of chronic whiplash symptoms are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate oculomotor function in patients with a history of cervical soft-tissue injury.
- To determine if impaired oculomotor function correlates with chronic whiplash symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Oculomotor function was assessed in 39 patients with previous cervical soft-tissue injury.
- Eye movement velocity, accuracy, and patterns were analyzed.
- Patients were categorized into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups and compared to a control group.
Main Results:
- Twenty of the 39 patients experienced chronic and disabling symptoms.
- These symptomatic patients exhibited disturbed eye movement velocity, accuracy, and patterns.
- Nineteen asymptomatic patients showed no significant difference in oculomotor function compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Oculomotor function appears to be impaired in patients with chronic whiplash symptoms.
- Potential brain stem lesions may underlie these oculomotor deficits.
- Oculomotor assessment could be a valuable tool for evaluating whiplash-related neurological dysfunction.