Cervical strain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems encountered by generalists and neuromusculoskeletal specialists in the clinical setting. One cause of cervical strain is cervical acceleration-deceleration injury; this is frequently called whiplash injury. Cervical strain is produced by an overload injury to the muscle-tendon unit because of excessive forces on the cervical spine. The cause is thought to be the elongation and tearing of muscles or ligaments. Secondary edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation may occur.
Almost 85% of all neck pain is thought to result from acute or repetitive neck injuries or from chronic stresses and strain. Mortality is rare unless severe trauma causes the cervical strain, with associated brain or spinal cord trauma, respiratory compromise, or vascular injury. Morbidity includes cervical pain syndromes with associated symptoms. Disability in acute or chronic cervical strains is responsible for significant socioeconomic costs.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Test Yourself on Key Aspects of Neck Pain - Medscape - Aug 10, 2017.
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