Neck injuries - aka cervical spine injuries - come in a variety of types.

They can range from

mild to severe, and may come about from an accident or long-term wear and tear. Below
are the most common neck injuries defined and described.
Before you go through the list, here's something to keep in mind: Damage to one
anatomical part in your neck often means damage to others. For example, whiplash may
result in one or several diagnoses including muscle strain, ligament sprain, and/or disc
injury. This is because the parts of your neck are connected. Bones, joints, soft tissue and
nerves work together to hold up and move your head.

Neck Injuries Affecting Soft Tissue

sozaijiten/Datacraft/Getty Images
Most of the time, damage from a neck injury is limited to soft tissue. But nearly every type
of cervical spine injury, severe or mild, affects muscles. Below are the most common neck
injuries that may have an effect on muscles, tendons, and/or ligaments. As mentioned
above, some of these will occur in conjunction with more serious injury types.

Crick in the Neck

Neck cricks can get pretty nasty, though often are not serious. (c) Goldstein
A "crick" or "kink" is a term many people use to describe the pain they wake up with
after sleeping with their neck in an awkward position. Neck cricks may come from working
at the computer for long hours, or sudden movements of the neck.
"Crick in the neck" is not a medical diagnosis. Usually, a muscle spasm, trigger
points, arthritis or a disc problem is the real culprit.
At-home therapies can take care of a crick in the neck most of the time, but if the pain lasts
longer than a week or disrupts your usual activities, get it checked by a doctor.
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Muscle Strain

Neck muscle strain is similar to low back muscle strain. (c) Anne Asher 2007Licensed to
About.com
A strain is an injury to muscles that move the spine. Although they sometimes affect the
neck, most strains occur in the low back. Bending over at the waist to lift a heavy objectis a

common cause of muscle strain. Symptoms include muscle spasm, reduced flexibility, and
pain. To treat a neck or back strain, most medical experts recommend modifying your
activity to accommodate your pain and taking an over-the-counter pain medication. If the
pain lasts longer than a week, or if it disrupts your usual activities, see a doctor.
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Neck Sprain

Neck sprains are sometimes very serious. Adam

Sprains are injuries to ligaments. (Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that
hold bones together.) Neck sprains are often caused by falls or sudden twists that overload
or overstretch the joint. Another cause is repeated stress to the joint. Symptoms include
swelling, reduced flexibility and pain. Sprains can be mild, moderate or severe. If you
suspect someone in your environment has a severe neck injury (of any kind), you should
immobilize their spine and call 911 immediately. For minor and moderate sprains, rest and
ice the area, take an anti-inflammatoryand get it checked by a doctor.
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Neck Injuries that may Affect Nerves and/or the Spinal

Cord
Certain neck injuries may also do damage to the nervous system by irritating nerve roots or
affecting the spinal cord. Others may pinch or stretch a nerve. Generally, neck injuries that
affect the nervous system are more complicated to diagnose, treat and cope with than soft

tissue trauma or mild to moderate joint injury. For one thing, diagnosing nerve pain is not
always straightforward. And an injury to the spinal cord often results in life-long disability,
paralysis or even death. Below are common neck injuries that may include damage to one
or more parts of the nervous system.

Whiplash-Whiplash Associated Disorders-WAD

Movements of the neck during a whiplash. Adam

Whiplash is a set of symptoms following an injury in which the head is thrown first
into hyperextensionand then quickly forward. It's most often due to car accidents, but may
be caused by sports injuries, falls or trauma. Like a crick, WAD is not a medical diagnosis.
It's an event that may result in neck strain or sprain. Whiplash may also damage joints or
discs, which in turn may irritate nerve roots or possibly the spinal cord.
Depending on the injury, symptoms can include pain, weakness/numbness/tingling down
the arm, stiffness, dizziness or disturbed sleep. Symptoms may be delayed a day or two
following the injury. Research has not yet identified the most appropriate treatments for
WAD, but medication and wearing a collar are common.
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Herniated Disc

Herniated Disc. Adam

Herniated disc occurs when the soft substance on the inside of the disc (nucleus pulposi) is
pushed out. Should this substance land on a nerve root, which it often does, you'll likely feel
pain and have symptoms such as weakness, numbness and/or pins and needles down your
arm.
Tears in the tough outer fibers of the disc may lead to a herniation. These tears may be
brought on by either repeated or a sudden, forceful stress to the joint. For example, lifting a
heavy load with a twisted spine may cause a disc to herniate.
Treatment generally starts with medication and physical therapy, but may proceed
to surgery as needed.
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Stingers and Burners

Football Players Do Neck Stretches. groveb

Stingers and burners (named for the way they feel) are temporary injuries to the nerve
root or brachial plexus. They occur most often in football players (especially tacklers) and
other contact-sport athletes.
Stingers and burners may be caused either by an abrupt tilt of the head or when the head
and shoulder are forced in opposite directions at the same time.
Symptoms include burning, stinging, numbness/weakness, or an electrical sensation down
one arm. You may feel a warm sensation along with the other symptoms.
If a stinger or burner is severe or lasts longer than a few minutes, see a doctor. If you are an
athlete with stenosis, your risk is higher and your doctor may suggest that you retire from
your sport to avoid a catastrophic neck injury.

Neck Fracture

Neck X-Ray Image. Steverd

A neck fracture is a break in a cervical bone. It may be caused by trauma, a fall or
degenerative changes in the spine. The angle of force at impact often determines the type
and severity of the break.
Football players who block with their head are at high risk for cervical fractures. Elderly
people with osteoporosis are also at risk, due to fragile bones.
The most serious neck fractures are generally accompanied by a dislocation (see below).
Treatment depends on a lot of things including your age, other medical conditions, and
extent of damage to your spine. If a fracture destabilizes your neck, you may need to wear a
halo brace. Prevention is the best treatment strategy.
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Cervical Dislocation

Diagram of a Dislocated Neck Bone. (c) Anne Asher 2010 Licensed to About.com
Dislocation occurs when a neck bone moves out its normal position, creating spinal
instability. Either an injury or degenerative changes disrupt the ligaments that hold the
vertebra in place, causing it to separate from the bone below.
When brought on by trauma, a dislocation may be accompanied by fracture.
In the most severe dislocation, the bone is fully displaced forward (called jumping), and it
locks in this position. The ligaments rupture completely. Dislocations may damage the
spinal cord and/or require surgery.
Less severe forms occur when the bone does not move all the way out, or when only one side
fully displaces. Mild dislocations may go back in place on their own, and the soft
tissue treated by wearing a collar.

Spinal Cord Injury

Myelopathy is any kind of back or neck problem that affects the spinal cord. A.D.A.M
A spinal cord injury occurs when a fracture, dislocation or other neck injury damages the
spinal cord. If the spinal cord is damaged at the 3rd cervical vertebra or above, the person
may die or need a respirator to live.
People living with SCI often endure a lifelong disability
with complete or incomplete paralysis below the level of injury.

The timeliness of emergency care and the type of medical treatment given immediately after
the injury are especially critical to survival and subsequent quality of life. If someone in
your environment has a traumatic incident, you should assume they have a serious or even
life-threatening neck injury and follow Red Cross guidelines.