What is the medical term for a crick in the neck?

Medical Term for a Crick in the Neck

The medical term for a "crick in the neck" is acute cervical myofascial strain, which refers to a sudden onset of pain and stiffness in the neck muscles and surrounding fascia. 1

Understanding Cervical Myofascial Strain

• Acute cervical myofascial strain typically presents as localized pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion in the neck without neurological symptoms 1
• It is considered a form of mechanical neck pain that may result from poor posture, sudden movements, or sleeping in an awkward position 1
• This condition is distinct from more serious causes of neck pain such as cervical radiculopathy, which involves nerve root compression 1

Clinical Presentation

• Patients typically experience localized neck pain, muscle spasm, and stiffness without radiation to the arms 1
• Range of motion is often limited due to pain and muscle guarding 1
• Unlike radiculopathy, there are no sensory or motor deficits in the upper extremities 1
• Symptoms are usually self-limiting, with many cases resolving within days to weeks 1

Differential Diagnosis

• It's important to distinguish a simple "crick in the neck" from other causes of neck pain that may require different management approaches:
  • Cervical radiculopathy: characterized by radiating pain, numbness, or weakness in the arm 1
  • Torticollis: involves involuntary contraction of neck muscles causing the head to tilt to one side with the chin rotated to the opposite side 2, 3
  • Inflammatory conditions: may present with neck pain plus constitutional symptoms like fever 1, 4
  • Cervical dystonia: a neurological movement disorder with sustained involuntary muscle contractions 5

Evaluation

• In the absence of "red flags," imaging is generally not indicated for a simple crick in the neck 1
• Red flags that would warrant imaging include:
  • Constitutional symptoms (fever, weight loss) 1
  • History of trauma 1
  • Neurological deficits 1
  • Persistent pain despite conservative therapy 1
  • Elevated inflammatory markers (ESR, CRP) 6

Management

• Most cases of acute cervical myofascial strain (crick in the neck) resolve with conservative management 1
• Treatment typically includes:
  • Rest and activity modification 6
  • Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications 6
  • Gentle stretching exercises 6
  • Heat or ice application 1
  • Physical therapy for persistent cases 1

When to Seek Further Evaluation

• Persistent symptoms beyond 4-6 weeks 1
• Development of neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, radiating pain) 1
• Severe pain unresponsive to conservative measures 1
• Presence of any red flag symptoms as mentioned above 1, 6