(Cervical Strain and Neck Muscle Sprain)

Whiplash – Definition

Whiplash is a neck injury that includes:

• Spraining the neck ligaments
• Straining the neck muscles
• Bone and nerve injury may be involved

(Spasmodic Torticollis; Cervical Dystonia)

Torticollis – Definition

Torticollis is a chronic condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily. This causes the head to turn and tilt to one side, and the chin to point to the opposite side. Sometimes one shoulder is lifted. The muscle contraction may be constant (fixed) or may come and go (intermittent). The abnormal posture caused by tilting the head may lead to neck pain.

Torticollis may be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired).

Thyroid cancer – Definition

Thyroid cancer is cancer of the thyroid gland. This gland makes thyroid hormone, and it is found in the front of the neck. Thyroid gland tumors often appear as bumps in the neck, called nodules. In most cases, thyroid nodules are not cancerous. However, those that are cancerous have the potential to spread throughout the body.

Neck sprain – Definition

A neck sprain is stretching and/or tearing of the soft tissues of the neck. This including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue. They connect bones to each other. Mild sprains may involve only stretching of the ligaments. More severe sprains would involve partial tears.

Neck sprain – Causes

A neck sprain results from a sudden movement that causes the neck to extend or flex too far.

Causes include:

• Car accidents (rapid deceleration causes the head and neck to snap forward and then backward, known as whiplash)
• A blow to the head
• Strain of the upper back or shoulder

(Broken Neck; Cervical Fracture)

Neck fracture – Definition

A neck fracture is a break in one or more of the cervical bones (vertebrae in the neck). The vertebrae are the bones that make up the spine.

A neck fracture is very serious and can lead to paralysis or possibly death. A person with a neck injury should not be moved without competent medical care, which is needed immediately.

It is important to recognize the possibility of a neck fracture. Injuries severe enough to cause head injury or other trauma often also cause neck fracture.