The neck, or cervical spine, is a remarkable structure that provides support and mobility to our heads. However, this intricate network of bones, muscles, and ligaments is susceptible to injuries, such as sprains and strains. Cervical sprain and strain are common conditions that can cause discomfort and hinder our daily activities.
Dr Sunil Dachepalli, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic, Robotic Joint Replacement and Arthroscopic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, explained cervical sprain, its symptoms, and treatment.
What Is Cervical Strain
Cervical sprain and strain are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different types of injuries. A cervical sprain occurs when the ligaments in the neck are stretched or torn, while a cervical strain refers to the overstretching or tearing of the muscles in the neck.
Dr Dachepalli said, “Cervical strain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems faced by specialists in the clinical setting. It occurs when the muscle-tendon unit in the neck is subjected to excessive force, leading to an overload injury. This injury is accompanied by subsequent oedema, haemorrhage, inflammation, and elongation and tearing of muscles or ligaments.”
According to a study published by the StatPearls, cervical spine fracture, carotid artery dissection, herniated disc, spinal cord damage, dislocation of the cervical spine, muscle strain, facet injury, and ligamentous injury are among the differential diagnoses for cervical spine injuries.
Also Read: Not All Headaches Are Same: Expert Explains About Headaches Originating From Neck
Symptoms Of Cervical Strain
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Shoulder, scapular, and/or arm pain
- Visual disturbances (Blurred vision, diplopia)
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Concussion
- Neurological symptoms
- Difficulty in sleeping due to pain
- Disturbed concentration and memory
Causes Of Cervical Strain
Dr Dachepalli informed, “The main cause of cervical strain injury is traffic crashes, which produce indirect trauma to the neck via a mechanism in which there is a back-and-forth whipping motion of the head. The term ‘whiplash’ is used to refer to both the injury itself and the method through which neck injuries are caused in collisions.”
Neck sprains are caused by a variety of factors, such as poor posture, lifting heavy objects, falling, worn joints, nerve compression, and injuries. The pain usually worsens with movements of the neck.
Also Read: How Your Sleeping Position Leads To Back And Neck Pain
Treatment Measures To Follow
The utilisation of radiography can be valuable in assessing cervical sprain and strain while initiating early rehabilitation plays a crucial role in preventing long-term pain and disability. Dr Dachepalli listed the treatment measures for cervical strain as follows:
- Applying heat, cold, electrical stimulation, massage, myofascial release, and cervical traction are examples of passive techniques used in physical treatment for cervical sprain and strain.
- Exercises aiming at enhancing the patient's strength, endurance, flexibility, posture, and body mechanics are included in active treatment.
- Specific neck exercises for the management of chronic neck pain, including active activation of the deep neck muscles and dynamic strengthening, may reasonably improve disability scores.
- A concurrent difficulty may not require occupational therapy unless it is caused by an ergonomic issue or a distal upper-extremity function.
- Cervical instability, a possible complication of cervical strain, may require surgical intervention (eg, discectomy/fusion).
- When the cervical spine is severely strained, the intervertebral disc and ligaments may be traumatically ruptured, which, if left untreated medically, can result in a major kyphotic deformity (spinal disorder).
Disclaimer
The information in this article is provided by a registered healthcare expert, however, we advise you to consult your expert for a treatment based on your needs.