DIAGNOSIS, ANALYSIS, AND EVALUATION OF MALFUNCTIONS IN THE UPPER CERVICAL-SPINE IN THE CONTEXT OF WHIPLASH INJURIES WITH MRI

We tested the diagnosis of malfunctions in the upper cervical spine after whiplash injury using MRI. In the spinal segments C 0-1 and C 1-2 MRI functional diagnosis showed clear advantages compared to X-ray diagnosis. Apart from data about the normal course of movement in these joints it was possible to classify and reproduce malfunctions exactly. The malfunctions diagnosed can be found in normal volunteers as well, so that in an evaluation no causal link between the very existence of a malfunction and the complaints can be established.