Cervical sprains are a common injury among the population; they are often the consequence of traffic accidents. However, in many others they can be prevented by taking care of postural hygiene and following certain guidelines. Below, all the aspects to take into account are explained.
What is a cervical sprain and what are its causes?
A cervical sprain is a tear in the ligaments of the cervical vertebrae which causes a characteristic pain known as “whiplash.” This injury is commonly the result of traffic accidents, especially those involving a strong impact from behind.
Usually, this injury is caused by sudden flexion and extension movements of the neck, or by strong impacts when the muscles are relaxed.
Difference between cervicalgia and whiplash
Cervicalgia is a medical term that refers to pain in the neck region, caused by a variety of factors such as poor posture, stress or degenerative problems. On the other hand, whiplash is a specific injury caused by a sudden flexion and extension movement of the neck, commonly due to traffic accidents. Unlike neck pain, whiplash is directly event-related and may involve additional symptoms such as severe stiffness and radiating pain.
Symptoms of cervical sprain
The most common symptom is usually acute pain in the neck area which, on many occasions, is accompanied by neck stiffness and immobility.
Additionally, this injury can cause headaches and a feeling of dizziness, and in more severe cases, the patient may experience vertigo. It is common for the pain to radiate to the upper back, as well as the shoulders and arms.
Types of cervical sprain
Cervical sprain will be classified into different degrees depending on the symptoms that the patient presents. This classification includes:
- Grade 0: The patient has practically no symptoms and can move the neck normally.
- Grade 1: Immobility or stiffness may occur, but it is not constant pain.
- Grade 2: the patient presents immobility and painful points on palpation.
- 3rd grade: In patients with this type of cervical sprain, it is normal for headaches accompanied by dizziness to be added to the symptoms mentioned above.
- Grade 4: This grade refers to severe sprains that may be caused by a bone fracture or dislocation. In this case, the patient will present neck immobility that affects the performance of daily activities and acute pain.
How long does a cervical sprain last depending on its degree?
Of course, it will depend on the degree of the sprain, but roughly speaking, a mild grade 1 sprain usually lasts between 1 and 2 weeks, a grade 2 cervical sprain can last up to 6 weeks, grade 3 sprains can require up to 3 months of rehabilitation, and grade 4 sprains sometimes require surgical treatment and prolonged rehabilitation sessions.
Diagnosis of cervical sprain
To receive a diagnosis, it is important that the patient consult our traumatologists specializing in cervical sprains in Madrid in the presence of symptoms or constant pain in the neck area.
First, a physical examination will be carried out to identify the points where the patient has the most pain. Furthermore, in many cases it is necessary to perform diagnostic imaging tests, which can provide more information. For example, x-rays, through which the existence of cervical lordosis can be detected, magnetic resonance imaging or electromyography, in case there is suspicion that there may be compression of the spinal cord.
Cervical sprain is relatively mild when compared to other pathologies that can affect the cervical spine. For this reason, it is necessary for the patient to see a specialist doctor to rule out more serious pathologies.
In more severe cases, such as cervical disc herniation, an operation may be necessary that involves implantation of a cervical prosthesis if the patient requires it, which usually does not present sequelae.
Our traumatologists specializing in neck pain in Madrid are pioneers in cervical sprain and spinal pathologies such as neck pain or herniated disc.
When should you go to the emergency room for a cervical sprain?
There are certain less common symptoms that should concern us and it would be advisable to go to the Emergency Room if they exist:
- Very intense pain that does not improve with painkillers.
- Dizziness, loss of balance, or blurred vision.
- Loss of strength in arms and hands.
- Difficulty speaking or other neurological symptoms.
Cervical sprain treatment in Madrid
Regarding treatments for cervical sprain, the most common is usually the recommendation of rest, to avoid overexertion and relax the muscles. Often, pharmacological treatment, based on anti-inflammatories, is prescribed with the aim of relieving pain.
In many cases, the use of an orthosis or collar, a device that is placed around the neck to limit neck mobility and thus relieve pain, is indicated.
Physiotherapy positively helps in the recovery of cervical sprain. Treatments focus on rehabilitation exercises and postural correction, with the aim of avoiding injury relapse. This recovery time will depend on the degree of cervical sprain that occurs, ranging from a few weeks to two or three months.
In some patients, nerve stimulation is used, which stimulates the nerve fibers through low-intensity electrical currents, the purpose of which is to relieve pain.
Usually, a sprain or whiplash does not present sequelae, although to ensure a correct recovery, it will always be necessary to go to a doctor specializing in cervical sprain.
Can there be after-effects from a poorly treated cervical sprain?
Yes, without a doubt. It's a sensitive injury that, if not treated properly, can cause persistent neck pain, tension headaches due to muscle spasms, or even long-term limitation of neck mobility.
In some cases, vertigo or balance disorders have been observed.
What exercises are recommended after a cervical sprain?
Always look for safe, gentle exercises and controlled stretches to improve muscle elasticity. Gentle neck rotation and flexion-extension exercises, along with progressive strengthening of the cervical and scapular muscles, can be performed under medical supervision.
Other types of neck pain
Although they are similar, there are different manifestations of pain, depending on the patient's pathology.
Cervicalgia is another pathology that affects the neck area. It manifests itself with pain in this area, but is not related to a specific injury. In some cases, the chronification of the injury over time can lead to chronic neck pain.
Another common neck pain in elderly people is cervical osteoarthritis, which is caused by the degeneration of the cartilage in the joints.
Finally, cervical disc disease occurs when there is a damaged vertebral disc that causes pain to the patient, affecting their daily life.
How to prevent a sprain or cervical contracture
In some cases, it is difficult to avoid cervical sprains (commonly called cervical pain or neck sprain), since they are often the result of traffic accidents or domestic accidents, so it is important to control your posture when driving or traveling in a car. car, avoiding forced postures for the back or neck.
However, there are guidelines that can help prevent them:
- Avoid high impact sports: It is recommended to limit the practice of sports that involve sudden movements of the neck.
- Sleeping posture care: It is important to pay attention to your sleeping posture and ensure the quality and hardness of the mattress and pillow used.
- Body weight control: Maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce neck strain.
- Postural hygiene care: Taking care of your posture both at home and at work is important to avoid the appearance of injury
- Stretches: It is important to stretch after playing sports to maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.
As has been observed, cervical sprains must be treated correctly to prevent them from becoming disabling and affecting the patient's quality of life. In addition, it is recommended to acquire healthy habits of postural hygiene and go to a traumatologist specializing in cervical sprains. If you find yourself experiencing neck pain, do not hesitate to contact our clinic to find cervical sprain specialists.
43 thoughts on “Esguince o latigazo cervical: causas y síntomas”
Approximately four years ago I suffered an accident which caused a cervical sprain.
and I still usually get pain in my neck and head in the winter season, what can I do to improve?
Good morning, Elsy.
Thank you very much for reading our blog. For the case you are telling us about, we recommend make an appointment with our spine experts, so that they can make a prior diagnosis and offer you the most appropriate treatment.
All the best.
I am suffering a lot with neck and back pain.
Hello Monica.
Thank you very much for writing on our blog. At Elgeadi Traumatology, we recommend that you go to a traumatologist specializing in the cervical spine for a complete study of the area. You can contact our team of spinal traumatologists at the following link: https://columna.com/contacto/
All the best.
Hello, I had a cervical sprain, with cervical rectification 5 days ago, how long do I have to have the collar?
And I have an appointment to see the traumatologist in 2 weeks, how long should I wait to start passive neck exercises to avoid muscle atrophy?
Hello America,
You should follow the instructions of the specialist who has personally treated you and indicated the treatment.
We can't tell you anything without seeing you or seeing your evolution.
Greetings
Thanks for sharing the information
I am suffering from dizziness, headache and neck pain due to the sprain.
Good morning,
We are sorry for what you present at this time. In order to put an end to your symptoms, we recommend that you consult with a neck pain specialist. At ICAC we have expert cervical spine traumatologists who can help you. Don't hesitate to make your appointment here: https://columna.com/cita-privada/
All the best.
A month ago I had a sprain in my neck. There are days when my neck, neck, back, chest hurt, and when it's cold it hurts.
Good morning Guadalupe,
In order to offer you a correct diagnosis, it would be necessary for you to go to our trauma center, where we can perform the necessary medical studies to evaluate your symptoms.
All the best.
26 days ago I suffered a TIA with loss of consciousness and a sudden fall. They suspect injury to the -5th cervical.
I have tingling, pain, a burning sensation in my arms, no decrease in strength.
Good morning Gilda,
We are very sorry for your condition. It would be necessary for you to come to our trauma center, where we can perform the necessary medical studies to offer you the most appropriate treatment.
All the best.
Hello, good afternoon ,
More than two months ago I had a traffic accident, I supposedly suffered whiplash with back contractures. I have been through 38 rehabilitation sections and they have discharged me without recovering. My symptoms are: cervical pain, back, arms, hands with tingling and loss of strength in the hands. Pain from the shoulder, elbow, wrist to the fingers of the hand.
All the best.
Hello Fatima, it is clear that you have not recovered. You should visit a spine professional to assess your condition and resume timely treatment.
All the best.
Hello, I suffered the sprain for about 5 years, I went to rehabilitation but there was no improvement, on the contrary, the pain is more frequent and more intense. 😔
Hello Margarita, without a doubt you should go to a doctor to assess the current situation and undergo the relevant tests to be able to reassess the injury again and understand the origin of the problem. A hug.
Good morning, I have had severe pain in my neck for several months and a few weeks ago a kinesiologist gave me a ringing in my neck and my head and neck hurt even more...they tell me that with massages it will go away but I already tried and nothing. .
Hello Virginia,
To tell you something we would need to perform a physical examination. You can contact us at (+34) 910 053 900 and request an appointment with one of our professionals.
Greetings
Hello, I am 60 years old and in April I suffered a fall on a fixed object (edge of bed) with right lateral cervical trauma, in July whiplash syndrome due to vehicle braking I was in pharmacological treatment and rehabilitation and again last Monday I suffered another whiplash, I will always be in risk of neck pain? I have been resting for more than 6 months…should I have a CT scan? I have already had 3 x-rays done. I still have pain in my neck, shoulder, headache, instability when walking and my left arm sometimes hurts and gets hot.
Hello Doris,
To tell you something we will need to perform a physical examination and see the images.
You can make an appointment by calling (+34) 910 053 900.
Greetings
Hello, I'm Yelys Montiel. I suffer from dizziness and severe head and neck pain since I had the cesarean section. I had never heard of this disease. They don't explain it to me. Every day that passes, I feel worse and I don't even know what to think. I had severe vertigo after my cesarean section, I would like help
Hello Yelys,
Rest is one of the main recommendations, although if it is maintained over time it would be best to carry out rehabilitation with physiotherapy and/or use of anti-inflammatories under a doctor's prescription.
Greetings
Hello!! I have whiplash pain in the right area of the neck and neck and above! It's one or 2 at most, but unbearable, if I had it permanent, would I be screaming on the floor? It comes without doing anything at rest or sitting, the doctor didn't find anything for me? I'm terrified, because I don't know when or why the whiplash comes? I feel insecure, waiting, for it to come from anywhere and anywhere? What if one day I'm alone and it doesn't stop? Thank you!!! 🥰🙏❣️
Hello, Marina,
You should see yourself in consultation and perform a physical examination. Although if it is nothing medical you can treat it in rehabilitation with physiotherapy.
Greetings
I have double vision after my accident, they have already done studies on me and apparently there is no answer as to why I continue to see double, it has been 3 weeks now and I have no improvement, my arm hurts, I feel tingling and neck pain, in some places they tell me that It was a grade 3 sprain and other grade 2 sprains. I need to know if I will recover my sight.
Hi Wendy.
I would need to evaluate your images, medical tests and perform a clinical examination. It is difficult to make a judgment only with the comments you make, and it would also be negligent given that when we talk about spine cases, even with the patient in front of us and evaluating the tests, it is usually very complex to reach an accurate diagnosis.
Greetings
Bonjour, car j'ai d'énormes douleurs moi also, le fait que vous parlez de vision double m'a interpellé, ça s'appelle une diplopie. J'étais en errance Médicale pendant un an.
Have you done a brain MRI?
Good morning, yesterday morning before getting up I wanted to stretch and oxygenate my body and when doing so, I felt and heard a sensation in my neck, it hurts a lot and I cannot move my head to one side, I have applied hot compresses and anti-inflammatories but no They relieve me, what should I do? Thank you
Hi samuel,
You should go to a physiotherapist to treat the area,
Greetings
Hello, five months ago I did a back extension exercise and I felt something hot in my neck. Today I feel a decrease in strength in my upper and lower extremities and my neck and lower back constantly hurt. I have had tests done and MRIs, but nothing abnormal has been observed.
Hello Alejandro,
Spine cases are very complex to diagnose, even for the most experienced specialists. Many times it is necessary to repeat tests or perform complementary studies to find the cause.
If you want to make a second consultation, you can make an appointment with our team of traumatologists specialized in spine by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Hello, well, the truth is that I have been struggling with a neck problem since 2018. Tired of tests and specialists contradicting each other, my spine is in a degenerative process, but this problem started suddenly, jamming my jaw, I was able to reach to the health center and they limited themselves to putting in a line and calling the Ambulance and transporting me to the hospital where they did a CT scan. They gave me a painkiller and when I was discharged, I arrived home still with pressure in my jaw. After relaxation, my neck started to relax, like lying down, oh hairdresser in the head wash, oh in aesthetics, to do a resonation they have to hold my head to I didn't turn around, but the doctors never bothered to stand behind a chair to see what was happening to me. In 2020, by chance, I visited a plastic surgeon, accompanied by a friend, and he told me that I had a lack of vision. operate the eyelids to which I replied, with a smile. If I lie down on the table, he operates on my ear, and without regret he answered that it was the sternocleidomastoid. From there I put myself in the hands of a neurologist, where she asked me for an EMG of speed and condition and gave me a diagnosis of Cervical Dystonia. She told me that the treatment would be toxin and it was an expensive treatment, since I had a consultation with the neurologist. of social security. That She will inject me with the toxin, but according to what the social security doctor told me. I do not have dystonia. Now my head has been turned to the left permanently for almost a year and I am in a lot of pain. I have undergone private rehabilitation, which has only caused me more pain. I no longer know where or what to do. On the 8th In January they injected me with toxin, without success, now I visited a Chiropractor and well the truth is that I don't know what to do anymore, I injured the muscle in my left shoulder. I need help but they can solve my problem. Thank you
Hello Maria,
The best thing in your case will be to carry out an in-person evaluation of your case.
You can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
I FELL FROM A CHAIR AND THIS CAUSED ME A TERRIBLE PAIN IN MY NECK, SHOULDERS BACK, HEADACHE NO YES BECAUSE OF THE SPRAIN MY HEAD AND MORE HANDS SHAKE, THEY PLACED A NECKLACE ON ME A WEEK AGO THE SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO BRING IT ONE YEAR, TO RECOVER
Hello Roselia,
It can be very uncomfortable to wear the neck brace for so long. We recommend that you carry out rehabilitation to accompany the process in the best way.
Greetings
Greetings from Venezuela
How to know why I get whiplash on the left side diagonal to my ear, a sudden pain...and very strong
Hello Charlotte,
Whiplash usually occurs due to sudden movements of the neck.
Greetings
Good afternoon. My name is Belén. Two months ago, I had a fall and crashed into the wall. The result was a cut on my head with five staples and whiplash. I had an MRI and there was a crack in the right disc. The rehabilitation was normal and hot, but I still continue with it. pain in the neck and shoulders and also bone wear.
Hello Belen,
We should review the evidence and see what can be changed to improve rehabilitation.
You can make an appointment by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings
Good morning, I had a severe rear-end car accident that caused me severe pain in my neck and lower back, I cannot walk with stability, do you think it is necessary to sue the insurance company for disability?
Hi Toby,
We do not know the details of your case or how insurance companies work in these cases.
It would be best if you consulted a lawyer.
Greetings
Bonjour,
Dans 1 mois sa fera 1an que j'ai eu un serious accident de la route.
After all, it is time for the physio car of the cervical spine and two ne vont pas, and then again and again, since there is a banal effort in the everyday life of the last ones. Est ce que c'est possible qu'ils aient manqué qqch à l'irm?
This week there will be all the urgency in which all the electric courants come from the back of the body and two more urgent impulses that are psychological and return to the house. ….
Hello Gwen,
Nous sommes vraiment désolés d'apprendre que vous traversez une période aussi difficile. Certain lesions or certain problems can be easily detected by IRM, in particular their sont de nature neurologique ou fonctionnelle. The electric currents that you open are the symptoms of nerve compression, spinal cord problems, or inflammation that are not evident during the examination. Il est toujours bon de demander un deuxième avis. You can learn more with us specialists in cliquant ici.
Cordially, I wish you a favor, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.