- A neck sprain or strain is
the painful condition resulting from an injury to the neck which
stretches or tears the soft tissues. When muscles are involved the
injury is called a strain. When ligaments are involved the injury is
called a sprain.
- These injuries are often seen when
the neck is subjected to forces causing abrupt backward bending of the
neck (extension) followed by forward bending (flexion). This mechanism
has given rise to the term "whiplash," used to describe soft
tissue injuries to the neck. It is not, however, an accurate diagnostic
term. Sprain, strain , or flexion/extension injury are more acceptable.
- The most common symptom of a neck
sprain or strain is pain usually in the back of the neck, made worse by
movement. Other symptoms can include shoulder pain, muscle spasm in the
neck and shoulder, headaches, stiffness (decreased neck motion), sore
throat, tingling and/or numbness and/or weakness in the arms or hands,
difficulty concentrating or sleeping, fatigue, dizziness, ringing in the
ears, blurred vision, and irritability. It is not uncommon for
these symptoms to occur or become worse one to two days after injury.
- When seen by your doctor, you
will first be asked to provide a history of what happened.
Next your doctor will do a thorough physical examination to
include measuring your neck motion, checking for areas of tenderness
and muscle spasm along with a thorough neurological evaluation.
X-ray studies may be requested. A thorough history and physical
along with x-rays, CAT scan or MRI when indicated allows your doctor
to identify or rule out a more serious diagnosis such as a Neck
Fracture.
- Treatment initially combines rest
with medication for pain and swelling such as aspirin or ibuprofen, along
with muscle relaxants to relieve muscle spasms. In the first two to
three days applying ice to the neck for 15 minutes several times a
day helps decrease pain and inflammation. After the first two to
three days, moist heat, or a heating pad is helpful to relieve
stiffness. Other treatments, which may be recommended by your doctor
include a short period of wearing a soft protective neck brace, and
neck massage, ultrasound, and/or traction. Exercise is very
important to recovery. When appropriate your doctor will instruct
you on stretching and strengthening your neck.
- Most symptoms go away within four
to six weeks. More severe strains or sprain may take longer to
completely get better.
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