Neck Injuries and Disorders—Craniofacial Abnormalities

Craniofacial is a medical term that relates to the bones of the skull and face. Craniofacial abnormalities are birth defects of the face or head. Some, like cleft lip and palate, are among the most common of all birth defects. Others are very rare. Most of them affect how a person’s face or head looks. These conditions may also affect other parts of the body.

Treatment depends on the type of problem. Plastic and reconstructive surgery may help the person’s appearance.

• Apert syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cleidocranial dysostosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Craniosynostosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Craniosynostosis repair (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Head and face reconstruction (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pierre Robin syndrome (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)