A 45-year-old man sustained injuries in a rear end collision 4 days ago

Posted: January 10th, 2022

A 45-year-old man sustained injuries in a rear end collision 4 days ago (a car hit him going approximately 45 mph while he was stopped at a stop light). He was in an older car without an air bag or properly positioned headrest, although he was wear ing a seatbelt. Initially, he hit the headrest at the mid-cervical spine as his neck extended, and then his head flexed forward but did not hit anything. He has been cleared of cervical frac tures or instability Medical history is unremarkable, he is a social drinker and gave up smoking 5 years ago. He is an ac countant and usually works long hours at a computer but has been unable to work since the accident. He presents wearing a cervical collar and has a facial expression of distress. He states he has had difficulty sleeping because the pain wakes him whenever he moves.
Pain: constant posterior cervical pain, headaches and pain radiating into the shoulder region bilaterally, intermit tent tingling in the right thumb, index, and middle finger Pain rated at 8/10 when at rest, 10/10 when attempt ing to move.
Positive findings guarded forward-head posture. He is un willing to move more than 10° into flexion or extension, 25° into side bending bilaterally; minimal rotation. Gentle traction to the head relieves the neurological symptoms Palpation tenderness in upper trapezius and posterior cervical and anterior throat muscles bilaterally Increased tenderness along facet margins of C4-5, 5-6 and 6-7, right left
Based on the above impairments and functional limi tations, identify goals and interventions for this patient. Describe the techniques you would use and practice them on a lab partner
How long do you anticipate the patient will have these symptoms? At what point will you change your