What is Cervical Sprain and Cervical Strain?
Cervical Sprain involves injuries to ligaments in the neck while cervical strain involves injury to muscles and tendons in the neck. This is a common injury in car accidents.
Cervical Sprain
Cervical Sprain: This involves an injury to the ligaments in the neck. Ligaments are strong bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to other bones, providing stability to the joints. A sprain occurs when these ligaments are stretched or torn. Whiplash, often resulting from sudden neck movements like in car accidents, is a common cause of cervical sprains. Whiplash-associated disorders can lead to significant ligament damage, particularly in the cervical spine (Barnsley et al., 1994).
Cervical Strain
Cervical Strain: This involves an injury to the muscles or tendons in the neck. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. A strain happens when these muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. This can occur due to overuse, sudden movements, or poor posture, such as cradling a phone between your ear and shoulder for extended periods. Research indicates that muscle strains are frequently linked to repetitive stress or acute trauma (Cohen, 2015).
Think of it this way:
- Sprain = Ligaments (like a twisted ankle, but in the neck)
- Strain = Muscles or Tendons (like a pulled muscle, but in the neck)
Similarities in Symptoms:
Despite affecting different tissues, the symptoms of cervical sprains and strains can be quite similar and may include:
- Neck pain that often worsens with movement
- Stiffness and decreased range of motion in the neck
- Muscle spasms
- Headaches, often starting at the base of the neck
- Pain in the upper shoulder area
In some cases, individuals may also experience:
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or hand
- Weakness in the arm
These symptoms align with findings from studies on cervical spine injuries, which note that both sprains and strains can present with overlapping clinical manifestations, complicating diagnosis without imaging or clinical evaluation (Gargan & Bannister, 1990).
In summary: The primary difference lies in the injured tissue: ligaments in a sprain and muscles or tendons in a strain. However, the symptoms and many of the causes can overlap. It's always best to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan if you experience neck pain after an injury, as early intervention can prevent chronic issues (Spitzer et al., 1995).
Car Accident Lawyers
If you are in an accident call our lawyers at (925) 291-5388
Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims and we will recover millions more in the future. There is no fee until you recover money.
Medical Sources to Read
- Barnsley, L., Lord, S., & Bogduk, N. (1994). Whiplash injury: Clinical review. Pain, 58(3), 283-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3959(94)90123-6
- This article provides a detailed review of whiplash injuries, including their association with cervical ligament damage.
- Cohen, S. P. (2015). Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neck pain. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 90(2), 284-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.008
- This source discusses the causes and mechanisms of neck pain, including muscle and tendon strains due to overuse or trauma.
- Gargan, M. F., & Bannister, G. C. (1990). Long-term prognosis of soft-tissue injuries of the neck. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 72-B(5), 901-903. https://doi.org/10.1302/0301-620X.72B5.2211777
- This study explores the clinical presentation and prognosis of cervical soft-tissue injuries, noting symptom overlap.
- Spitzer, W. O., Skovron, M. L., Salmi, L. R., et al. (1995). Scientific monograph of the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders: Redefining "whiplash" and its management. Spine, 20(8S), 1S-73S.
- This comprehensive report outlines the importance of accurate diagnosis and management of cervical injuries, including sprains and strains.