Is It Normal To Experience Tender Back And Neck After A Head Injury?

Posted on Fri, 18 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 Answered on

Fri, 9 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor, i dived into a shallow pool on Monday. I was giving two staples in my head, back n neck are tender...do i need to worry about more serious problems?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 minutes later)

Hello and thanks for using HCM. If you don't feel any neurologic symptoms such limbs weakness and/or numbness, you shouldn't worry too much. However, at least have a cervical x-rays film done.
Hope this helps.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 minutes later)

I just have had a headache on off since Monday, nurse checked me over & my doc back home checked me over by just looking in my eyes with a light? Is this enough, my worry is i coukd have damaged my skull, brain or neck as it was a bad hit hence my sore back, neck & head

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get neck c-rays done.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

I don't think you have any serious brain damage, since 4 days passed and you didn't experienced any neurologic symptoms such loss of consciousness, nauseous or vomiting, limbs weakness that may indicate it.

However, headaches could be related to concussion and you should use drugs (NSAID eg. ibuprofen) in order to improve it.

As I said before, neck pain should be evaluated at least with x-rays of cervical spine.

If no bone damage on x-rays, pain is related to soft tissue strained or whiplash.

NSAID help too in this condition.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (26 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor,

I have a twitch above my left eye that comes & goes...my concern is what i have read in terms of anyrsym, clot, or bleeding in the head whichcould lead to sudden death...wouldyou say this could not happen woth what i have told you?

I habe attached the pictures before & after, it was quite a decent sized split of the skin & this is on the top of my head towards the front, is there anyway this is dangerous area or the cut itself looking as if it may need more treatment?

Kibd regards & your feedbackis much appreciated

.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wound is healing.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

I have examined the pictures you uploaded.

Yours isn't the case of brain aneurysm or clot.

These are not related to head trauma, trauma can cause bleeding into brain, but this is a severe condition with alterated consciousness, limbs weakness etc.

The eye twitch you refer could be related to stress situation after your trauma.

If it continues, you should consult with your Neurologist.

The wound on head is minimal and seems it is healing properly.

If any wound problems such secretions, swelling, it needs to be evaluated by a Doctor.

Hope I helped you. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (13 minutes later)

Thank you again,

I had a CT scan yesterday due to having clear fluid come from my nose but was giving the all clear. I guess the CT scan means i can put all my fears to rest?

Can i also be assured i have not caused any serious neck injury with the favt i can move it about but its just sore in certain positions?

Last question...will my balance & eye still be slightly effected after 6 days from the bang on the head?

Many thanks!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
CT scan reassures there are no serious damages.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.

To be honest, I was in doubt to recommend you to have a CT scan or not, just to reassure you that there is no serious damage from trauma.

Since you had it done, and the results were negative, this indicates that there are no serious damages of brain really to trauma.

I don't think neither that there are serious damages of neck, but x-rays needed to be sure and not to pass any subtle bone damage.

About clear fluid, it may have been water into paranasal sinuses, or can be related to skull base fracture with dural tearing, but this condition is visible on CT scan, so I don't think it is cerebrospinal fluid.

Balance and eye problems seem not to be related to any brain condition, so they should subside soon.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad