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Neck
> Neck Strains
What is a Neck Strain?
Your neck (cervical spine) is made up of seven bones,
called vertebrae. These are the top seven vertebrae
of your spine that start between the shoulders and end
in the base of the skull. Connective tissues, called
ligaments, connect the seven bone joints and provide
stability to the spine. Neck strains usually afflict
the muscles and tendons that attach the ligaments to
the bones and enable you to control the movement of
your head. A neck strain occurs when muscles and tendons
in your neck are stretched too far and the tissue suffers
microtears. There are three grades of neck strains:
 Grade
one - A mild strain pulls muscles or tendons but you
suffer no loss of strength in the neck.
Grade
two - A moderate strain tears some of the fiber in muscles
or tendons and diminishes strength in your neck.
Grade
three - A severe strain ruptures muscles or tendons,
disconnecting the attachment to the vertebrae, which
makes neck movement difficult.
Injuries from contact sports or falls
are the most common cause of neck strains. Overuse and
arthritis can also lead to chronic neck strains. Rapid
head movements that require abnormal use of the neck
muscles may strain your neck, particularly if you have
not warmed up or your neck muscles are tight. Less common
causes of neck pain include tumors and infections. Some
people have genetic abnormalities in the shape of their
vertebrae that may put them at risk for neck strains.
Your doctor can check whether these problems are contributing
to your neck pain.
Bone damage, like a herniated disc
or fracture, rarely accompanies a neck strain. However,
doctors are usually cautious after a neck strain to
make sure you have not suffered any nerve damage. Few
people with neck strains require surgery. It is only
indicated for patients who have suffered other injuries,
such as neck trauma or joint instability.
There usually are three parts to an
orthopedic evaluation: medical history, a physical examination,
and tests that your physician may order.
Your physician will ask about your
activities, which may be causing the pain in your neck,
and will ask when the soreness or pain began. If you
have had any prior neck injuries, your physician will
ask about the treatments you have tried in the past.
Physicians also typically ask about other conditions,
such as diabetes and allergies, and medications currently
being taken. Your physician may also ask about your
physical and athletic goals - information that will
help decide what treatment might be best for you in
achieving those goals.
A physician usually can make an early
assessment of a neck strain by feeling around the injured
area. While asking you questions to pinpoint your pain,
physicians typically test ligament and tendon strength
by checking your neck’s range of motion. You may
be asked to “poke your chin out” and “poke
your chin in” to test your neck movement. Physicians
will test your neck’s tenderness and the function
of nerves and muscles in your arms. Your posture and
head position are usually observed for abnormalities
while you sit and stand.
Should your physician require a closer
look, these tests may be conducted:
X-rays
taken from different angles can sometimes show signs
of bone damage and calcification.
MRI
(magnetic resonance imaging) uses magnetic waves to
create pictures of your neck and back that show bones,
tendons, and ligaments. Your spinal cord and nerve roots
can be evaluated with MRI.
CT
(computed tomography) scans, commonly called CAT scans,
may be ordered to evaluate the bony structure of your
spinal column. For example CT scans can show narrowing
of the spinal canal due to neck strains.
Myelograms,
in which a dye or contrast material is injected into
the spinal column, can provide good images of nerve
roots in the center of your spine.
An
EMG (electromyogram) creates images that help doctors
evaluate nerve and muscle function.
Blood
tests may be ordered to check for any diseases that
could be causing your neck pain.
RELATED TOPICS
Imaging
techniques
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