Differential Diagnosis for Cervical Motion Causing Vision Changes and Pain and Numbness and Tingling
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Cervical Spondylosis: This condition involves wear and tear on the discs in the neck, which can lead to compression of the spinal cord or nerves, causing pain, numbness, tingling, and vision changes due to the compression of the vertebral arteries.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cervical Herniated Disc: A herniated disc in the neck can compress nerves, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling. Vision changes can occur if the herniation affects the vertebral arteries.
- Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck can compress the spinal cord or nerves, causing similar symptoms.
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Compression of the nerves and/or blood vessels that pass into the thoracic outlet (the space between your collarbone and first rib) can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and vision changes if the compression affects blood flow to the head.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Vertebral Artery Dissection: A tear in the lining of the vertebral artery can lead to a stroke, which could present with sudden vision changes, pain, and neurological symptoms.
- Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Trauma to the neck can cause injury to the spinal cord, leading to severe and potentially permanent neurological deficits.
- Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leading to a wide range of neurological symptoms, including vision changes, pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Chiari Malformation: A condition where the cerebellum extends into the spinal canal, which can compress the spinal cord and lead to neurological symptoms, including vision changes.
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: A group of disorders that affect connective tissues supporting the skin, bones, blood vessels, and many other organs and tissues, which can lead to cervical instability and the described symptoms.
- Cervical Dystonia: A neurological disorder that causes involuntary muscle contractions in the neck, leading to abnormal postures and movements, which might indirectly cause the described symptoms due to prolonged abnormal positioning.