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Suggest Treatment For Stiffness In The Neck
Question: I have had a gradual increase in neck stiffness over the last 3 days. Rotation is now down to about 10% from center. I am able to move forward and back about 20%. I am now turning my entire body to move side to side. I am sore and it didnt seam to be a problem looking straight but now is starting to become sore. The back of the neck to the back of my head is the area that is now becoming tender to the touch. I have notice in the last 3 to 4 hrs that drinking is becoming a little tougher. Flu ? 52 years old male. 215 lbs. good shape.
Brief Answer:
Consltation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXX, thanks for contacting HCM for your health concern.
I can understand your concern. The neck stiffness with restriction in all movements could be due to
: Neck muscle spasm - It occurs due to physical strain, prolonged bad posture of neck at work/during sleep, trauma, exercise. It presents as pain at neck, increase in pain on moving neck, relief after massage/warm fomentation. It is unlikely to be due to flu.
If your symptoms resemble above, it could be the cause. As such, it is the most common cause of neck movement restriction.
Treatment is
: You should take rest
: Consult physiotherapist for neck stretching exercise, massage
: You can take muscle relaxant tablets like Thiocholchiside/Tolperitase after proper prescription
: Apply warm fomentation
: Apply local painkiller gel like Diclofenac after proper prescription.
: Another reason could be cervical spondylosis - It can present with severe neck pain in acute stage. It manifests as restriction, pain radiating from neck to shoulder, tingling/numbness in hand.
If symptoms are such, then consult neurologist. He will advise X ray of cervical spine/MRI of cervical spine to know about spinal cord/nerves/bone.
Further treatment will be given after reporting. It can be surgical or medical or both. It includes
: Bed rest
: Avoid flexion
: Use soft/hard cervical collar in daytime to immobilise neck
: Avoid weight lifting
: Avoid neck pillow in supine position
: Take tablet Pregabaline/Gabapentine to relieve sharp radiating pain
: Wait for 2-3 weeks at least. If no relief, surgery can be considered if large disc, cord compression, unstable spine, you are medically fit.
: Ankylosing spondylitis - It is an autoimmune disorder which causes calcification of all ligaments of spine and thus severe restriction of movement. It can be suspected if any history of this disease in family, progressive forward bending of spine (Kyphosis), pain in hip region (sacroiliac joint).
It can be confirmed after consulting spine doctor. He will advise CT of whole spine/X ary and HLA-B27 if suspecting it. Further treatments after confirmation.
Hope it will help you. If still any doubt, do let me know. I would be happy to help you. Thanks.
Take care.
Consltation
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX XXXX, thanks for contacting HCM for your health concern.
I can understand your concern. The neck stiffness with restriction in all movements could be due to
: Neck muscle spasm - It occurs due to physical strain, prolonged bad posture of neck at work/during sleep, trauma, exercise. It presents as pain at neck, increase in pain on moving neck, relief after massage/warm fomentation. It is unlikely to be due to flu.
If your symptoms resemble above, it could be the cause. As such, it is the most common cause of neck movement restriction.
Treatment is
: You should take rest
: Consult physiotherapist for neck stretching exercise, massage
: You can take muscle relaxant tablets like Thiocholchiside/Tolperitase after proper prescription
: Apply warm fomentation
: Apply local painkiller gel like Diclofenac after proper prescription.
: Another reason could be cervical spondylosis - It can present with severe neck pain in acute stage. It manifests as restriction, pain radiating from neck to shoulder, tingling/numbness in hand.
If symptoms are such, then consult neurologist. He will advise X ray of cervical spine/MRI of cervical spine to know about spinal cord/nerves/bone.
Further treatment will be given after reporting. It can be surgical or medical or both. It includes
: Bed rest
: Avoid flexion
: Use soft/hard cervical collar in daytime to immobilise neck
: Avoid weight lifting
: Avoid neck pillow in supine position
: Take tablet Pregabaline/Gabapentine to relieve sharp radiating pain
: Wait for 2-3 weeks at least. If no relief, surgery can be considered if large disc, cord compression, unstable spine, you are medically fit.
: Ankylosing spondylitis - It is an autoimmune disorder which causes calcification of all ligaments of spine and thus severe restriction of movement. It can be suspected if any history of this disease in family, progressive forward bending of spine (Kyphosis), pain in hip region (sacroiliac joint).
It can be confirmed after consulting spine doctor. He will advise CT of whole spine/X ary and HLA-B27 if suspecting it. Further treatments after confirmation.
Hope it will help you. If still any doubt, do let me know. I would be happy to help you. Thanks.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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