|
Medical Information
>> Types of Traffic Accident Injuries >> Neck
Sprain
People who are involved in motor vehicle crashes
or who take hard falls in a contact sport or around the house
may get a real "pain in the neck." This pain can
result from a ligament sprain or muscle strain.
The seven bones of the spinal column in your
neck are called cervical vertebrae. They are connected to
each other by ligaments, which are strong bands of tissue,
like thick rubber bands.
A sprain is a stretch or tear in the ligament
resulting from a sudden movement that causes the neck to extend
to an extreme position. For example, in the rapid deceleration
of a car crash, your head and neck can stretch far forward
before stopping.
Symptoms of Neck Sprain:
- Pain, especially in the back of the neck,
that worsens with movement.
- Pain that often peaks a day or so after the
injury, instead of immediately.
- Possible muscle spasms and pain in the upper
regions of the shoulders.
- Headache in the rear of the head.
- Sore throat.
- Increased irritability, fatigue, difficulty
sleeping and difficulty concentrating.
- Numbness in the arm or hand.
- Stiffness or decrease in range of motion
(side to side, up and down, circular).
- Tingling or weakness in the arms.
Diagnosis of Neck Sprain: During
the physical exam, your doctor will ask you how the injury
occurred, measure range of motion and check for any point
tenderness. Your orthopaedist may request X-ray studies to
look closely at the bones in your neck. This evaluation helps
eliminate or identify other sources of neck pain, such as
spinal fractures, dislocations, arthritis and other serious
conditions.
Treatment of Neck Sprains: All
sprains or strains, no matter where they are located in the
body, receive basically the same type of treatment. Usually,
neck sprains, like other sprains, will gradually heal, given
time and appropriate treatment. You may have to wear a soft
cervical collar to help support the head and relieve pressure
on the neck so the ligaments have time to heal.
Analgesics, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can
help reduce the pain and any swelling. Muscle relaxants can
help ease spasms. You can apply an ice pack for 15 to 30 minutes
at a time, several times a day for the first two or three
days after the injury. This will help reduce inflammation
and discomfort. Although heat, particularly moist heat, can
help loosen cramped muscles, it should not be applied too
quickly.
Other treatment options for neck sprain
include:
- Massaging the tender area
- Ultrasound
- Cervical traction
- Aerobic and isometric exercise
Most symptoms will resolve in four to
six weeks. A severe injury, such as might be sustained in
a motor vehicle accident, may take longer to heal completely.
If believe you have neck sprain as a result
of a traffic accident, it is important to visit a qualified
doctor to evaluate your injuries. Trying to "heal yourself"
could cause your body more harm.
>> Locate
a Chiropractic Specialist in your area |
