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INNOVATIVE THINKING<br />
Sweden became a world leader in neck<br />
injury research after new theories were<br />
presented in the mid-1980s about the way<br />
whiplash injuries are caused. This research<br />
is currently led by Professor Per Lövsund<br />
at Chalmers University of Technology.<br />
How to become a leader in<br />
the vehicle safety industry<br />
Whiplash research has generated billions of euros in<br />
socioeconomic benefits. In addition, Swedish companies have<br />
achieved great success in the export market for these products.<br />
ONE COLD WINTER day in Stockholm<br />
Gunilla Sogell was on her way home<br />
from work as usual. Her car suddenly<br />
skidded on Lidingö bridge outside<br />
Stockholm and crashed into the bridge<br />
railing at 70 kph. Her head flew backwards<br />
and forwards like a whiplash. The<br />
neck is exposed to enormous forces in<br />
such a collision. It can be stretched by<br />
as much as 5 centimetres. Vertebrae can<br />
be dislocated, discs slipped and ligaments<br />
stretched and ruptured. Most of<br />
these injuries are more or less invisible.<br />
The years following the accident were<br />
a nightmare. At most, she was taking<br />
23 painkillers a day, apart from sleeping<br />
medicine and anti-inflammatory and<br />
anti-depressive pills.<br />
– Two years after the accident I didn’t<br />
want to live any more. I was so frustrated<br />
at not being able to work as usual.<br />
You see, there are no visible signs that<br />
you are injured, she says.<br />
A MEDICAL MYSTERY<br />
Per Lövsund, Professor of Traffic Safety<br />
at Chalmers University of Technology,<br />
has studied whiplash injuries for many<br />
years. He says that about 2,000 people<br />
are disabled every year in Sweden as a<br />
result of neck injuries. These injuries are<br />
on the increase and cost society several<br />
million euros every year, mostly in compensation<br />
for loss of income.<br />
But there is hope. Today, Sweden is a<br />
world leader in the field of neck injury<br />
research, for which Per Lövsund is now<br />
responsible.<br />
– Rather modest public investment<br />
has yielded a good return, he says.<br />
According to Per Lövsund, this<br />
success is largely due to cooperation<br />
between industry, research and society.<br />
His research team has already achieved<br />
remarkable results. For example, not a<br />
V I N N O V A M A G A Z I N E | 7
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