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Neck Problems and Injuries

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

Neck pain with chest pain: Go to the topic Chest Pain.
Neck pain that began after an injury to the head: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 4 and Older or Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
Bleeding: Go to the topic Cuts or Puncture Wounds.


	Yes

Do you have a stiff neck with signs of a serious illness?


	Yes

Do you have neck pain with arm pain?


	Yes

Do you have neck pain with numbness or tingling in one or both arms?


	Yes

Do you have neck pain with weakness in one or both arms?


	Yes

Did your neck pain start after a recent injury?


	Yes

Do you have neck pain with no known injury?


	Yes

Do you have swelling in your neck?


	Yes

Do you have a severe headache?


	Yes

Do you know or think you have a fever?


	Yes

Are you vomiting?


	Yes

Do you think you are confused?


	Yes

Are you having trouble staying awake or alert?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe arm pain?


	Yes

Have you had moderate arm pain for 2 days but no other symptoms?


	Yes

Have you had arm pain that comes and goes for longer than 1 week?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has numbness or tingling developed suddenly?


	Yes

Do you have constant numbness or tingling in one arm or hand?


	Yes

Is your numbness or tingling slowly getting worse?


	Yes

Does numbness or tingling in one arm come and go?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has weakness developed suddenly?


	Yes

Do you have weakness or clumsiness in both arms or hands?


	Yes

Do you have weakness in an arm and leg on the same side of your body?


	Yes

Do you have constant weakness in one arm?


	Yes

Is your arm weakness slowly getting worse?


	Yes

Do you have ongoing arm weakness that has gotten worse since you have been checked by your doctor?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have severe pain after an injury?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain after an injury but you do not have other symptoms?


	Yes

Have you had mild pain for 2 to 3 days after an injury?


	Yes

Do you have mild pain that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Do you have new severe neck pain?


	Yes

Do you have ongoing (chronic) pain that is getting worse?


	Yes

Do you have moderate pain that has not improved after 2 days of home treatment?


	Yes

Do you have mild pain that has not improved after 1 week of home treatment?


	Yes

Have you had neck pain for 2 weeks or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a stiff neck that causes mild pain with movement for 1 week or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a stiff neck that keeps you from moving your neck normally for 1 week or longer?


	Yes

Have you had a stiff neck without other symptoms for 2 weeks or longer?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.


	Yes

Has a lump formed rapidly in your neck or throat, but you are not having trouble breathing?


	Yes

Are you having severe trouble swallowing but no trouble breathing?


	Yes

Do you have a hard lump below your Adam's apple with pain or a feeling of fullness in your throat?


	Yes

Do you have a hard lump below your Adam's apple with trouble swallowing?


	Yes

Do you have a hard lump below your Adam's apple with unexplained hoarseness?


	Yes

Do you have a lump below your Adam's apple and symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?


	Yes

Have you had a lump or swollen gland for 1 week or longer that is not getting smaller or less tender?


	Yes

Have you had a lump or swollen gland for 1 week or longer that seems to be improving but has not gone away?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Other Symptoms to Watch For

If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 07, 2009

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.