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Cervical Strains, Sports Medicine

Jeffrey M. Mjaanes, MD, CAQSM, FAAP, FACSM and Ryan P. Cole, MD, CAQSM Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Cervical strain refers to a stretch-type injury within the muscle substance or at the myotendinous junction of the cervical and upper back muscles. In addition to the muscle and tend...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • When taking the history, it is essential to determine the mechanism of injury. For example, if the injury is the result of a motor vehicle accident, important information includes the...

TREATMENT

  • Early discussion involving reassurance, treatment, recovery, and maintaining daily activity as tolerated are important in the initial management.

  • A multimodal treatment approach (medications,...

ONGOING CARE

COMPLICATIONS

Neck strain can result in stiffening in the cervical region with resultant decreased motion. The prolonged muscle spasm itself can become a source of long-term pain and disab...

REFERENCES

1
Sutton DA, Côté P, Wong JJ, et al. Is multimodal care effective for the management of patients with whiplash-associated disorders or neck pain and associated disorders? A systematic review...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bogduk N, Teasell R. Whiplash: the evidence for an organic etiology. Arch Neurol.  2000;57(4):590–591.

  • Cantu R, Bailes J, Wilberger JEJr. Guidelines for return to contact or col...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Cervical strain is common and is usually a benign, self-limited condition.

  • Management should be multimodal including analgesics, muscle relaxers, soft tissue massage/mobilization, and v...

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