Neck Stiffness: Diagnosis & Tests (Stiff Neck)

News Center

Health Centers

Medical Encyclopedia

Drugs & Medications

Diseases & Conditions

Medical Symptoms

Med. Tests & Exams

Surgery & Procedures

Injuries & Wounds

Diet & Nutrition

Special Topics

$\"$alt_text\"$ ');"); } else { echo" $\"$alt_text\"$ "; } ?>

You are here : 3-RX.com > Medical Encyclopedia > Medical Symptoms > Neck Stiffness: Diagnosis & Tests

Neck Stiffness

Alternate Names : Stiff Neck

Neck Stiffness | Symptoms & Signs | Diagnosis & Tests | Prevention & Expectations | Treatment & Monitoring

How is the condition diagnosed?

In diagnosing a stiff neck and its causes, a healthcare provider will obtain a medical history and a history of the events leading up to the neck stiffness. A physical exam will be done to diagnose the underlying cause. If a person has been injured, the healthcare provider will be careful during the examination so as to avoid further injury.

If it is possible that the person has meningitis or a subarachnoid hemorrhage, emergency care is needed because these conditions are life-threatening. X-rays, blood tests, spinal taps, and possibly CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may need to be done to evaluate the possible cause of the stiff neck.

Previous section		Next section
Neck Stiffness: Symptoms & Signs		Neck Stiffness: Prevention & Expectations

Author: Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Reviewer: Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Reviewed: 07/05/01

$\"$alt_text\"$ ');"); } else { echo" $\"$alt_text\"$ "; } ?>