Neck Problems and Injuries

Emergencies

Yes	Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Neck pain that spreads from the chest area with other symptoms of a heart attack
• Severe neck injury, such as an injury caused by a:
  • Motor vehicle accident
  • Fall from a height of 15 ft (5 m) or more
  • Major sports-related injury
  • Direct blow to the head or neck
  • High-energy blow to the top of the head
  • Penetrating injury, such as a stab wound or gunshot wound
  • Strangulation
• Signs of a spinal cord injury:
  • New weakness or inability to move an arm or leg
  • New continuous numbness of one or both arms or legs
  • New loss of bowel or bladder control
• A decrease in level of consciousness:
  • Failure to respond to touch or voice
  • Extremely groggy, drowsy, or hard to wake up
  • Extremely confused or fighting
• Signs of shock:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child
• A rapidly forming swelling or lump in the throat that is causing any difficulty breathing:
  • In a child
  • In an adult and older child

Note:

If you think a spinal injury has occurred, do not move the person unless there is an immediate threat to his or her life, such as a fire. If there is immediate danger, keep the person's head and neck supported and in a straight line while you move him or her to a safe place. See first aid for a spinal injury.

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Neck pain with chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
• Neck pain that began after an injury to the head: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.

Yes	Do you have a stiff neck with signs of a serious illness?
Yes	Do you have neck pain with arm pain?
Yes	Do you have neck pain with numbness or tingling in one or both arms?
Yes	Do you have neck pain with weakness in one or both arms?
Yes	Did your neck pain start after a recent injury?
Yes	Do you have neck pain with no known injury?
Yes	Do you have swelling in your neck?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Back pain: Go to the topic Back Problems and Injuries.
• Shoulder pain: Go to the topic Shoulder Problems and Injuries.
• Headache: Go to the topic Headaches.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 28, 2007
Medical Review:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
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