The ligaments hold the bones and joints together.  A good example of this is the index finger.  If you take your index finger and bend it back as far as it will go, the ligaments that hold the joints together will only let you go so far.   However, if one of those ligaments was torn or stretched, the index finger joint it was protecting would move around too much.  This would cause pain and swelling in the joint as well as popping and cracking.  The joint would become unstable.

The ligaments that hold the neck bones together are vulnerable to being overstretched and or torn in a car wreck.  Common symptoms are as follows:

• popping, cracking, or grinding in the neck with movement
• pain and often spasm that's gets much worse with activity
• Numbness or tingling into the hand(s) or feet that gets worse with activity or with the popping, cracking, or grinding

Flexion-extension views can be a good way to help diagnose this problem.  A detailed physical exam where the physician tests the spine segment by segment is also essential.

Treatment usually proceeds as follows:

• Mobilize any stiff segments that may be overloading the unstable segment
• Correct postural problems that may be making the instability worse
• Don't mobilize or manipulate the unstable segment (it will worsen)
• Strengthen any weak, deep supporting muscles (like multifidus) that may be allowing too much movement.
• If all else fails, prolotherapy or surgical stabilization are last ditch options