Injuries
Neck Injuries
Whiplash, strain and facet injury of the cervical spine following collisions, falls and sports impacts.
What neck injuries is
Cervical injuries range from muscular strain to facet joint capsule injury, disc injury and nerve root irritation. A normal X-ray does not rule out a painful injury — most soft tissue and joint injuries are invisible on plain films.
Whiplash-type injuries in particular tend to involve the cervical facet joints, which is why patients often report headaches at the base of the skull along with neck stiffness.
Early, accurate diagnosis matters: untreated cervical injuries are among the most likely to become persistent chronic pain.
Common symptoms
- Neck stiffness and pain that began after an impact
- Headaches starting at the base of the skull
- Pain radiating into the shoulder blade or arm
- Reduced ability to turn the head to one side
Common causes
- Rear-end or side-impact motor vehicle collisions producing whiplash forces
- Falls, particularly backward falls or falls from a height
- Direct blows during contact sports
- Sudden unexpected loads, such as a fall while carrying a heavy object
- Workplace incidents involving overhead reaching or awkward lifting
How it is diagnosed
Evaluation after a neck injury begins with a careful history of how the injury occurred and how symptoms have evolved, since some soft tissue and facet joint injuries do not become fully painful until a day or two later.
The exam checks range of motion, tenderness over the facet joints and muscles, and a full neurological screen of the arms to rule out nerve involvement. Plain X-rays can rule out fracture, but they do not show soft tissue or facet capsule injury, which is why a normal X-ray does not mean nothing is hurt.
When pain persists beyond the expected healing window, MRI or a diagnostic medial branch block can identify whether a specific facet joint or disc is driving ongoing symptoms.
Treatment options we offer
Which of these applies depends on your examination and, where appropriate, a diagnostic block confirming the source of your neck injuries.
- Medial Branch BlocksA precise diagnostic block of the small nerves carrying pain from a facet joint, used to plan longer-lasting treatment.
- Radiofrequency AblationRadio waves used to interrupt pain signals from confirmed facet or sacroiliac nerves, often giving relief for a year or more.
- Epidural Steroid InjectionsAnti-inflammatory medication delivered precisely around an irritated spinal nerve root to relieve radiating arm or leg pain.
- Trigger Point InjectionsSmall injections into taut, tender muscle bands that release the knot and reduce referred pain.
When to see a specialist
- Neck pain or stiffness that has not meaningfully improved after one to two weeks
- Headaches at the base of the skull following an impact
- Pain radiating into the shoulder blade or arm, or new numbness or tingling in the hand
- Reduced ability to turn or tilt the head that interferes with driving
- Severe neck pain immediately after high-speed impact, or any weakness in the arms, which should be assessed urgently
Common questions
Why does my neck hurt more two days after the accident than right after it?
Is whiplash a real diagnosis or just a description of the accident?
Can a neck injury cause headaches?
How long before an untreated neck injury becomes chronic?
Related conditions
- Low Back InjuriesLumbar strain, disc and joint injuries from lifting, falls and repetitive load, with or without leg pain.
- Work-Related InjuryOccupational spine and joint injuries, with documentation and coordination for return-to-work planning.
- Auto Accident InjuriesPost-collision neck, back and joint pain, including whiplash and delayed-onset symptoms.
- Athletic InjuriesSport and training injuries of the spine and joints, managed with an emphasis on return to activity.
Ready to get a real diagnosis?
Most patients are seen within two weeks. Call our office or send a request and our staff will help you choose the most convenient location.