Neck injury

A neck injury can be caused by smaller injuries such as a muscle strain or by a larger injury such as a fall from a height. You may have also hurt your head if you have had a neck injury.

Read more about Minor head injuries or Severe head injuries

Symptoms of a neck injury

Neck injuries often cause pain. Other symptoms of a neck injury may include:

neck stiffness
difficulty turning your neck
muscle spasms
headaches
nausea (feeling sick)
dizziness
blurred vision

Phone 999 if you or someone else has a neck injury and:

is unresponsive
has severe neck pain or cannot move their head
has fallen from a height, like 5 or more stairs

Go to A&E if you or someone else has a neck injury and:

is intoxicated due to alcohol or recreational drugs
they are a child or vulnerable person with a neck injury that wasn’t accidental, for example if someone else has hurt them on purpose

Find your nearest A&E

Call 111 if:

You have experienced a neck injury and new onset or significant worsening of the following symptoms:

severe neck pain
a history of spinal problems like osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis
changes to bladder and bowel function e.g. urgency, frequency, difficulty passing urine, leaking, incontinence
changes to feeling around the bottom and/or genitals or sexual dysfunction e.g. recent inability to have an orgasm or erection
numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
clumsy hands e.g. dropping things, struggling with handwriting, buttons or zips
you also feel generally unwell