Neck injuries require medical attention since they can lead to serious or fatal complications, including paralysis. If you or someone you love has a neck injury in the Bay Area, visit a Dignity Health emergency room as soon as possible.
How serious is a neck injury?
Pinched nerve – Bone, tissue or tendons can push against surrounding nerves, which causes pain. This can happen as a result of a muscle sprain or strain. Fractured cervical spine – Though rare, a fractured cervical spine (or broken neck) is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
How do I know if my neck injury is serious?
Some signs of a serious neck injury:
- Pain that doesn’t go away or is severe.
- Shooting pain in your arms or legs.
- Numbness, weakness, or tingling in your arms or legs.
- Trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.
How long does a serious neck injury take to heal?
While most neck strains take a few weeks to completely heal, symptoms tend to mostly go away in less than a week. In general, severe muscle strains tend to take closer to 12 weeks to heal, but these rarely occur in the neck without the involvement of a more serious injury.
Should I go to ER for neck strain?
Get to an emergency room immediately if your neck pain occurs with symptoms such as: Fever or chills. Severe, persistent headache. Nausea or vomiting.
When should you go to ER for neck injury?
You should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a neck injury with these symptoms: Paralysis. Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness, even for a brief period of time. Loss of bladder or bowel control.
When should I be concerned about a neck injury?
One of the more concerning possible symptoms of neck injuries is tingling and numbness in limbs. If you start to feel a numbing sensation or that “pins and needles” feeling in your arms or legs after a neck injury, then it’s best to consult a doctor.
When should I go to the ER for neck pain?
What to do if your child complains of neck pain?
The Takeaway. If your child frequently complains of neck pain, it may be the result of poor ergonomics, a school bag that is too heavy, or poor posture while using a computer or tablet. Always inform your pediatrician and seek a referral to physical or occupational therapy to help prevent reoccurring neck pain.
When to go to the ER for a neck injury?
Any neck injury, regardless of the cause, should be fully evaluated by a health care provider or at an emergency room. Injuries like whiplash, falls and sports trauma can result in fractures, injury to the spinal cord, ligament disruption, loss of consciousness, traumatic brain injury, neurological symptoms, headaches and other serious problems.
How does neck pain affect children and adolescents?
Neck pain in children and adolescents has not been widely or systematically studied. But according to a 2014 article in Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, conditions like back and neck pain are one of the leading causes of disability in adolescents, and up to 25 percent of the cases affect participation in school or physical activities.
How is a neck injury similar to a cut?
In general, injuries involving soft tissues like muscles are similar to a cut in your finger. When a tissue, such as a muscle, is involved in a neck injury, it tears and bleeds. When the bleeding stops a scab is formed.
