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Wry neck (torticollis)

Torticollis · Tortikolis (křivý krk)

What it is

A twisted neck: in babies a tight sternocleidomastoid, in adults usually a sudden muscle spasm, rarely the nerve disorder cervical dystonia.

Symptoms & signs

  • Head tilted to one side, chin turned the other
  • neck pain and stiffness
  • a lump in the neck muscle in babies
  • flattened head in babies

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Stiff neck with fever, headache or dislike of light
  • call 112 / 911 now Neck twist with drooling, trouble swallowing or breathing
  • call 112 / 911 now Twisted neck after an injury or with arm weakness or numbness
  • see a doctor soon Baby's head always turned one way or a flat spot on the head

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Stretching and positioning for babies
  • pain relief, heat and gentle movement for acute spasm
  • botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia
  • surgery rarely
  • deep brain stimulation for dystonia — US humanitarian device exemption since 2003

Natural & lifestyle

  • Tummy time and turning the baby's head
  • good pillow and posture

Emerging & experimental

  • New toxin formulations

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Chiropractic manipulation — small trials disagree; risky in babies mixed evidence
  • Osteopathy for babies — small studies early / small studies
  • Kinesio taping — anecdotal anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes