What Causes Stiffness On Left Side Of Skull After Injury?

Posted on Thu, 30 Jul 2015

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

Thu, 30 Jul 2015 Answered on

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a fall about a month ago, hit my head just above the right eye. Slight carpet burn....no secondary symptoms, no stiffness, bruising, etc. Just recently, (a month later) I have started to experienced stiffness primarily on the rear left side of my skull in the back where it joins the neck. Seems to get worse the more I sit (and expands down my back), and gets better when I'm up and about, or laying flat (sleeping). Any ideas?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Probably instability of head and neck joint.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

In my opinion, your symptoms are caused by instability at cervico-occipital joint.

The instability probably is related to C2 (dens) fracture, or C1-C2 subluxation due to head trauma.

Pain you feel is most probably of muscular origin, due to muscle fatigue as a response to maintain stable head and neck joint.

I suggest you to discuss with your primary care Doctor about above mentioned possibilities and tests needed.

Initially I would recommend having done x-rays lateral and open mouth to assess better C2 vertebra.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar