Neck Problems and Injuries

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Emergencies

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Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

Neck pain that spreads from the chest area with other symptoms of a heart attack

Severe neck injury, such as an injury caused by a:
- •Motor vehicle accident
- •Fall from a height of 15ft or more
- •Major sports-related injury
- •Direct blow to the head or neck
- •High-energy blow to the top of the head
- •Penetrating injury, such as a stab wound or gunshot wound
- •Strangulation

Signs of a spinal cord injury:
- •New weakness or inability to move an arm or leg
- •New continuous numbness of one or both arms or legs
- •New loss of bowel or bladder control

A decrease in level of consciousness:
- •Failure to respond to touch or voice
- •Extremely groggy, drowsy, or hard to wake up
- •Extremely confused or fighting

Signs of shock:
- •In a child
- •In an adult and older child

A rapidly forming swelling or lump in the throat that is causing any difficulty breathing:
- •In a child
- •In an adult and older child

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 13, 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.