Cervical Strain

Question 1

What is difference between cervical strain and sprain?

Answer 1

NOTHING
Used interchangeably
Difficult to determine muscle vs ligament injury

Question 2

What causes a cervical strain?

Answer 2

Injury related
Trauma
- Falls
- MVA
Whiplash
- Acceleration-deceleration with rapid flexion- extension

Question 3

What are the s/s of cervical strain?

Answer 3

Pain
- Anywhere from base of skull to thoracic region
- SCM muscles
- Trapezius muscles
- ROM
Headache
Sleep disturbances
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
\+/-Radicular symptoms
- Pain, numbness, tingling

Question 4

What is observed in physical exam of cervical strain?

Answer 4

Swelling
Tenderness
Bony vs musculature
Limited ROM
Neurologic exam is usually normal

Question 5

What is used to diagnosis a cervical strain?

Answer 5

Plain X-rays

Question 6

What is the treatment of cervical strain?

Answer 6

Treat acute pain

Medications

• NSAIDs
• Pain medication
• Muscle relaxer
• Corticosteroids

+/- soft cervical collar

Massage, cervical traction; PT with modalities

• ROM
• stretching
• strengthening

Self limited
- Symptoms usually resolve in 4-6 weeks

Whiplash
- 6-12 months

Question 7

What is included in DDX of cervical strain?

Answer 7

Disk herniation
Spine tumor or infection
Dislocation or subluxation
Inflammatory condition
Spinal fractures
Symptom amplification