Neck Injuries and Disorders—Head Injuries

Also called: Cranial injuries, Skull fractures, Skull injuries

Chances are you’ve bumped your head before. Often, the injury is minor because your skull is hard and it protects your brain. But other head injuries can be more severe, such as a skull fracture, concussion, or traumatic brain injury.

Head injuries can be open or closed. A closed injury does not break through the skull. With an open, or penetrating, injury, an object pierces the skull and enters the brain. Closed injuries are not always less severe than open injuries.

Some common causes of head injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents, violence, and sports injuries.

It is important to know the warning signs of a moderate or severe head injury. Get help immediately if the injured person has

• A headache that gets worse or does not go away
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• An inability to wake up
• Dilated (enlarged) pupil in one or both eyes
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Loss of coordination
• Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation

Doctors use a neurologic exam and imaging tests to make a diagnosis. Treatment depends on the type of injury and how severe it is.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

• Head injury – first aid (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Skull fracture (Medical Encyclopedia)

Any part of your neck – muscles, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, or nerves – can cause neck problems. Neck pain is very common. Pain may also come from your shoulder, jaw, head, or upper arms.

Muscle strain or tension often causes neck pain. The problem is usually overuse, such as from sitting at a computer for too long. Sometimes you can strain your neck muscles from sleeping in an awkward position or overdoing it during exercise. Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain.

Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar. You rarely need surgery.

• Cervical MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cervical spine CT scan (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cervical spondylosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck lump (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck pain (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck pain or spasms — self care (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Neck x-ray (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Spinal fusion (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Torticollis (Medical Encyclopedia)