[Whiplash injury following minor accidents: construct or serious injury?].

In 1928, more than 80 years ago, Crowe [6] coined the term "whiplash". Since then, there have been numerous scientific attempts to make a clearly defined profile of this injury. Unfortunately, these have all been unsuccessful. The discussion has not yet progressed beyond hypothetical approaches. The term "whiplash", which is such an impressive concept for those affected, still lacks any content. This gaping hole has provided enough scope for varied hypothetical explanations of why some people who have sustained whiplash, despite an initial absence of objective injury characteristics, develop a subjective complaints profile which becomes chronic! All too often, this profile tends to develop into an escalating third party legal dispute - further supported by sustained medical certificates and quite diverse expert assessments. The present article discusses the most important of these hypotheses and their historical origins. Furthermore, against the background of legally substantiated evidence and proven pathophysiological findings of healing, the article will consider the issue of causality from a sober and analytical perspective.