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Torticollis

Torticollis Overview

Torticollis is one of a broader category of disorders that exhibit flexion, extension, or twisting of muscles of the neck beyond their normal position. In torticollis your neck tends to twist to one side. The condition can either develop slowly if you have a family history of the disorder, acutely from trauma, or as an adverse reaction to medications.

When the disorder occurs in people with a family history, it is referred to as spasmodic torticollis. The characteristic twisting of the neck is initially spasmodic and begins between ages 31-50 years. If you leave the condition untreated, it likely will become permanent.

Bending or twisting your neck too far can lead to acute torticollis. This condition appears with few symptoms, although often you will appear uncomfortable and will hold your head straight or rotated to one side. It will hurt to move your head to the opposite side. Your neck muscles on the side that hurts often are tender to the touch. The doctor will check your nerve and motor function to rule out spinal cord injury.

Certain drugs of abuse such as ketamine, amphetamines, and cocaine as well as commonly prescribed neuroleptic drugs such as prochlorperazine (Compazine), haloperidol (Haldol), and chlorpromazine (Thorazine) can cause acute dystonia (a lack of normal muscle control). This is a condition that involves the sudden onset of involuntary contractions of the muscles of the face, neck, or back. In addition to bending of the head to one side (acute torticollis), you may experience deviation of the eyes (oculogyric crisis) and protrusion of the tongue (buccolingual crisis).



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Torticollis

Neck Strain Overview

The portion of the spine contained within the neck is referred to as the cervical spine. That's the site for injuries known as neck strain.

Unlike the rest of the spine (thoracic, lumbar, and sacral), which is relatively well protected from injury because it is enclosed by the torso, the cervical spine is more vulnerable to injury. This portion of the spine is encased in a relatively small amount of muscles and ligaments. Yet its normal function requires extensive range of motion.

The neck contains many vital anatomic structures, the most critical being the airway, the spinal cord, and the blood vessels that supply the brain. By definition, neck strain injuries do not involve serious injury to any of these vital structures and also are not associated with fractures or dislocations of any of the bones of the cervical spine. Significant injury to blood vessels and the spinal cord are also not part of the definition of a strain type of inju...

Read the Neck Strain article »



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Torticollis »

Torticollis (from the Latin torti, meaning twisted and collis, meaning neck) manifests as involuntary contractions of the neck muscles, leading to abnormal postures and movements of the head.

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Medical Dictionary