Torticollis

There is no known way to prevent torticollis, but early treatment can keep it from getting worse and improve treatment outcomes. See your doctor if you experience any new, persistent or unexplained symptoms such as:

• Head involuntarily tilted, leaning or rotated to one side
• Headache
• Head tremor
• Limited head movement
• Neck pain or spasms
• Pain or burning in the neck, shoulders or back
• Shortened or larger than normal neck muscles
• Stiffness in the neck or shoulders
• Swelling in the neck
• Vomiting, drowsiness or irritability

Any of these symptoms may instead be caused by something other than torticollis. The only way to know what is causing a particular symptom is to see your doctor.

You know when something in your body looks or feels “off.” Consulting your health care provider when symptoms begin or worsen can lead to an earlier diagnosis and better chances of treating the condition through nonsurgical or minimally invasive methods.

Torticollis can be a congenital condition — meaning it’s present since birth. It is more likely to happen in firstborn children. One of the two large muscles in the neck is shortened, which causes head tilting. Torticollis can occur from positioning in the womb, abnormal muscle development, swelling in the throat and more.

Acquired torticollis can be caused by irritation or injury to cervical ligaments including:

• Neck muscle injury, especially if heavily scarred
• Burn injury
• Herniated disk
• Viral or bacterial infection
• Muscle spasms
• Sleeping in an awkward position

Our spine specialists have the expertise needed to pinpoint the cause of your pain and stiffness and develop a treatment plan that may resolve the issue or at least improve your quality of life.

Diagnosing the source of your pain begins with a thorough physical examination. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and examine your head, neck or other parts of the body to understand your symptoms.

During your examination, your doctor will assess the severity of your head twist or tilt. They will also look for swollen or stiff muscles. A neurological exam may also identify any balance, gait or movement issues.

Your doctor may order imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI or CT scans for your head and neck, especially if spinal cord compression or nerve damage is suspected. Electromyography (EMG) can determine which muscles are affected and to what extent. Blood can also find genetic mutations or to rule out or confirm other conditions linked with torticollis.

If you receive a torticollis diagnosis, our specialists work as a team to create a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief and restore function.

Treatment plans vary depending on the type and severity of symptoms, as well as whether your condition is congenital or acquired.

Congenital torticollis is usually treated with gentle stretching exercises and position changes. Your health care provider can show you how to safely do this. Place toys so your baby naturally looks both ways. “Tummy time” — regularly laying your baby on his or her stomach for a short amount of time while awake — helps strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.

It can take up to six months for torticollis to go away completely in infants and babies. If additional treatment is needed, we refer you to a physical therapist. In rare cases, surgery is recommended to lengthen the shortened muscle. Doctors generally wait until a child is in preschool to consider this.

Treatment for acquired torticollis focuses on addressing its cause and symptoms. Nonsurgical treatment options may include:

• Antibiotics for an infection
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain reduction\
• Heat or ice therapy
• Muscle relaxants
• Neck braces or collars
• Physical therapy
• Stretching exercises
• Trigger point injections
• Ultrasound therapy

If torticollis was caused by a dislocated vertebra, surgery may be needed. In certain cases, surgery for torticollis may be recommended if nonsurgical treatments don’t relieve symptoms. Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery and a reduced risk of complications.

We understand how difficult it can be to live with chronic neck pain and limited function. Whether you need a precise diagnosis or a second opinion, we can help. Our specialists can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan to restore your quality of life.