Jaw-neck motor function 2 years after whiplash trauma

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Neurology
• Traumatology

Background:

• Limited understanding of long-term jaw motor function deficits after whiplash trauma.
• Whiplash injuries can impact the head, neck, and potentially jaw function.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate integrated jaw and head-neck movement amplitudes 2 years post-whiplash.
• Compare movement amplitudes in whiplash cases versus controls.
• Assess changes in jaw and head-neck movement amplitudes from acute stage to 2-year follow-up.

Main Methods:

• Optoelectronic 3D recording system used to measure head and jaw movement amplitudes during maximal jaw movements.
• Study included 28 whiplash cases and 28 controls, with a subpopulation assessed acutely and at 2-year follow-up.
• Linear regression analysis employed to analyze movement amplitudes, adjusting for baseline values in longitudinal analysis.

Main Results:

• Whiplash cases exhibited significantly smaller jaw movement amplitudes compared to controls (p=0.006).
• No significant association was found between whiplash trauma and head movement amplitudes (p=0.687).
• Longitudinal analysis indicated significant associations for both jaw and head movement amplitudes between baseline and 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Whiplash trauma leads to persistent reductions in jaw opening capacity.
• Jaw function deficits observed in the acute stage after whiplash do not spontaneously recover.
• Findings highlight the long-term impact of whiplash on jaw motor function.