| Neck Injuries and Conditions |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Brachial plexus axonotmesis Burner/ stinger Forced lateral flexion of the neck with the oppose shoulder depressed Hyperextension of the neck Lateral flexion to the side of the injury Pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand Numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, and hand Tenderness over the brachial plexus-clavicular area Tenderness over the upper middle portion of the trapezius muscle Athlete holds the arm to the side with the shoulder depressed Muscle weaknessLoss of function Loss of sensation over more than one dermatome Abnormal results on neurological examination for at least two weeks Full recovery varies from 4 to 6 weeks to a year Brachial plexus evaluation test Refer to a neurologist Not applicable |
| Brachial plexus neuropraxia Pinched nerve/burner/stinger Neck forced into lateral flexion with the opposite shoulder depressed Hyperextension of the neck Lateral to the side of the injury Pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand Numbness and tingling in the shoulder, arm, and hand Tenderness over the brachial plexus-clavicular area Tenderness over the upper middle position of the trapezius muscle Athlete holds the arm to the side with the shoulder depressed Signs include loss of functionLoss of sensation over more than one dermatome Numbness may last minutes to hours Complete recovery usually occurs in two weeks Brachial plexus evaluation test Refer to a neurologist Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Brachial plexus neurotomesis Burner/stinger Neck forced into lateral flexion with the opposite shoulder depressed Hyperextension of the neck Lateral to side of the injury Pain in the shoulder, arm, and hand Numbness and tingling in the shoulder, arm, and hand Tenderness over the brachial plexus-clavicular area Tenderness over the upper middle portion of the trapezius muscle The athlete holds the arm to the side with the shoulder depressed Signs include muscle weakness Loss of function Loss of sensation over more than one dermatome Motor and sensory loss for at least one year in duration with no clinical improvement during this period Brachial plexus evaluation test Refer to a neurologist Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Intervertebral disc rupture/cervical herniation Slipped disc/ruptured disc Compressive loading Severe pain in the neck, shoulder, and arm Associated numbness Tingling where there is muscle weaknessIncreased pain when coughing or sneezing Compression pressure on the head with the neck extended and lateral bend to the involved side reproduces the pain Possible motor weakness of the wrist and finger extensors and flexors Possible sensory loss Possible loss of triceps and biceps reflexes Distraction test Compression test Valsalva test Refer to a neurosurgeon Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Nerve root compression Contusion of nerve Indirect traumaLateral flexion of the neck as in a brachial plexus injury Numbness Parasthesia Hyperflexion or lateral flexion of the neck on the same side as the symptoms may cause pain and/or numbness Tenderness over posterior aspect of the neck Decreased sensation in one or more definable dermatomes Muscle weakness Pain on downward pressure of the head with the chin in the supraclavicular fossa on the same side as the injury Decreased reflexes Distraction test Compression test Valsalva test Range of motion movements Refer to a neurosurgeon or a neurologist Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Spinal cord injury/concussion Transient quadriplegia Indirect trauma, as in axial loading to the cervical spine Indirect trauma to the skull or face Immediate, transient loss of neurologic function including motor weakness and loss of sensation Loss of bladder and bowel function Transient paralysis with recovery Loss of normal reflexes and presence of pathologic reflexesLoss in sensory sensation below the level of injury Possible decrease in blood pressurePossible decrease in respiration Test for neurologic sensations Refer to a neurosurgeon – medical emergency Not applicable |
| Medical Term Common Term Mechanisms Symptoms Signs Special Tests Referral/Diagnostic Procedure Classification of Injury Management Comment |
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| Acute torticollis Wryneck/stiff neck In athletics, indirect trauma to the head or neck resulting in local strain with acute spasm Other possible mechanisms are poor sleeping habits Holding the neck in an unusual position for an extended period of time Pain and loss of function due to muscle spasm Tenderness Loss of range of motion due to muscle spasm Restriction of movement to the side opposite of the injury Muscle spasmHead tilted toward the side of the injury Active and resistive movements Passive stretch Refer to a physician if symptoms/signs persist Not applicable |