Chronic wry neck

Basically, our neck is the part of ourspinal cord, from C1 disc to C7 disc. Also, the neck area includesthe tendons, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. This part of ourspine ends below our skull, extending above the thoracic spine.

Neck Issues

Usually, all neck problems start with aneck injury which is minor at first. Later, however, when this injuryis left untreated, it evolves, making the damage worse and triggeringstiffness or spasms only to result in a chronic wry neck in the longrun. If this final state takes place, you will need to undergospecial rehabilitation procedure, restoring your neck's previousmobility and functions, avoiding any worsening of the existinginjury.

The discs which form the cervical neckarea are made of connective tissue. Thus, in time, they get more andmore worn out. This damage usually takes place in small bits.However, after a longer period of time, these small damagesaccumulate and create a bigger one called spondylolysis, leading topain and discomfort.

As we grow old, the discs in our spinestart losing water and their absorbing qualities. Thus, tears form in the outer side of the discs, forming scar tissue which makes thediscs more prone to wear and tear, weakening them.

Once the discs are worn out to acertain extent, our vertebrae gets too close to each other, collapsinginto one another, leading to increased pressure and discomfort inthe area as well as osteoarthritis. When this pain and discomfortbecomes chronic, it is referred to as wry neck which leads to morepain when we move it, bothered by disc degeneration and inflammationsin the neck area. When the inflammation advances to a certain point,neck movement becomes impossible since muscles in this area startreacting only in spasms.

Signs of Wry Neck

Once you start being bothered byheadaches, numbness and pain in the neck area, taking placehand-in-hand with slow reflexes in shoulders and arms, as well ashands, a cervical condition is at hand. Also wry neck will lead toless capabilities of moving the neck, perceiving the area as numb.Finally, this condition is known to interfere with a person's walkingtoo.

Treatment for Wry Neck

Before any treatment can be possible,one needs to undergo series of examinations including CT scans, X-rayscans, MRI scans, CAT scans, electromyogram and myelography. Bonescans and laboratory testing may be obligatory for an adequatediagnosis too.

Once the damage has been diagnosed, onemay need to undergo a surgical or a non-surgical treatment. Theformer is rarely necessary while the latter is achieved throughphysical therapy, steroid injections, cervical collar and/or acervical pillow. Proper positioning of the neck is crucial in thesecases, and through adequate therapy, this is achieved.