What is a Neck Sprain?

Neck sprain happens when one or more of the neck muscles, tendons, or ligaments of the neck are injured. It occurs when the fibers in a neck muscle or tendon are stretched out too far and torn. It can occur without any obvious injury but at times, can be caused by a sudden impact with an object. An example of it is a whiplash injury, a type of neck injury that can occur when the head suddenly moves backward and then forward.

There are different possible causes of a neck sprain. One can suffer from neck sprain by sleeping on a pillow that’s too hard or too high, staring at the computer screen in an awkward position for a prolonged period of time, or from a vehicular accident.

Symptoms of Neck Sprain

The most common symptom of neck sprain is pain or discomfort in the neck especially with movement. The pain may also be accompanied by a headache, severe neck stiffness, restricted range of motion, dizziness, tinnitus, excessive fatigue, muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulder, and in some cases, numbness or tingling sensation in the arm or hand.

Diagnosing Neck Sprain

Neck sprain can be easily diagnosed by a doctor by taking a detailed history regarding the nature of the injury. He/she will also do a comprehensive physical exam where he/she will measure the range of motion of the neck, check for points of tenderness, and assess the patient’s sitting posture and of the neck during this time.

Diagnostic tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and computed tomography (CT) scan may be recommended to rule out other causes of pain and to rule out damage on the spinal cord.

How It Is Treated

Like other sprains, neck sprain will heal eventually, given the appropriate treatment and time. The use of soft collar may be recommended to help support the head and relieve the pressure on the ligaments. Cold compress, pain medications, and muscle relaxants also help in alleviating the symptoms of a neck sprain.

Neck or cervical pain is a common medical complaint. It is not a condition in itself but rather, a symptom of an underlying health problem. It can be due to straining from poor posture, degenerative disease, and other abnormalities in the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and nerves) and in the bones and disks of the spine.

What Causes Neck Pain?

The neck is composed of vertebrae that begin in the upper torso and ends at the base of the skull. Together with the ligaments, it’s the bony vertebrae and the muscles that provide stability to the spine. It’s also the bones, muscles, and ligaments of the neck that provide support to the head and allow motion. Hence, any abnormality, injury, or inflammation in these areas can lead to neck pain.

In many cases, neck pain isn’t a serious and can be relieved in just a few days. However, there are cases of neck pain that require the doctor’s attention. These are cases of neck pain that result from serious injury or illness.

Common Causes of Neck Pain

Neck pain can happen as a result of:

• Muscle tension and strain
  This is one of the most common causes of neck pain or stiffness. It can result from poor posture or sleeping with the neck in a bad position.
• Injury
  The neck can be prone to injury because it is less protected than the rest of the spine.Vehicular accidents, contact sports, and falls can result in a neck injury. A neck injury can also happen from a sudden jerking movement of the head (also called as whiplash).
• Degenerative diseases
  Neck pain is a common complaint of degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and cervical disc disease. Cervical disc disease can happen when one or more of the cushioning discs of the neck starts to break down as a result of wear and tear.

Symptoms of Neck Pain

Headache, pain that worsens when the head is placed in one position for too long, decreased head mobility, and muscle tightness or spasm are the most common symptoms of neck pain.

Seeing a Doctor

In many cases, neck pain can be alleviated through simple home remedies such as the application of cold and warm compress, taking of over-the-counter pain medications, a gentle neck massage, and using of special neck pillow when sleeping.

You should see a doctor when symptoms of neck pain do not improve with these home remedies or when they get worse. Immediate medical attention is needed if neck pain worsens and persists for days, spreads down the arms or the legs, and is accompanied by numbness, tingling sensation, and headache.

Diagnosing and Managing Neck Pain

To determine the underlying cause of the pain, your doctor will take your medical history and perform a thorough physical assessment. On top of these, your doctor may also request for imaging studies and other tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, blood scans, electromyography, and a lumbar puncture.

Treatment for neck pain depends on the underlying cause. Some of the common ways of managing neck pain include ice and heat therapy, physical therapy, and use of pain medications and muscle relaxants. In some cases, corticosteroid injections, antibiotics, or surgery may be recommended.

What is a broken neck?

A broken neck (also known as a neck fracture) refers to a break or fracture on one of the seven cervical vertebrae between the skull and the upper back and shoulders. It’s a potentially serious condition as the spinal cord passes through this region and any damage to the spinal cord can result in permanent disability.

Fractures in the neck is a common sports injury. It can also result from high-energy trauma such as vehicular accidents and falls.

Symptoms of a Broken Neck

Pain is the most common symptom of a broken neck. It can occur as a result of a pinched nerve. When the sensory nerve is affected, it can cause tingling and numbness. If the motor nerve is affected, it can lead to paralysis and/or muscle weakness.

The pain, tingling, and numbness can be felt over the neck, shoulder, and upper arms. Aside from these, there can also be bruising or skin discoloration at the site of injury.

Diagnosing a Broken Neck

A broken neck is diagnosed through physical examination and radiological studies.

Through a comprehensive physical exam, the doctor can determine the severity of the injury. Oftentimes, symptoms such as pain and tingling suggest mild to moderate injury. Severe pain that comes with numbness and muscle weakness or paralysis usually suggest severe neck injury.

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor usually recommends radiological studies like MRI or CT scan.

How It Is Treated

If neck injury is suspected, the initial action is to immobilize the neck with the use of a soft or rigid neck collar. Immobilization of the neck is important to prevent dislocation or displacement of the fracture.

A non-displaced neck fracture is usually managed through conservative methods like the use of neck brace and taking of medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Displaced fracture, on the other hand, is managed through surgery. The surgery involves insertion of bone graft and the use of plates and screws to align fragments of the displaced fracture.