Neck Stiffness
Alternate Names : Stiff Neck
What can be done to prevent the condition?
Some ways to prevent neck stiffness include the following:
staying fit and exercising to keep the muscles of the neck stronger and more resistant to injury
avoiding exposure to someone who has meningitis
driving defensively to avoid motor vehicle accidents
following sports safety guidelines for children, adolescents, and adults
seeking immediate medical care for a major injury, and using precautions when a person has been injured to decrease the likelihood of further injury
Many causes of stiff neck are not preventable.
What are the long-term effects of the condition?
The long-term effects of a stiff neck depend on the underlying cause. For example, a person who received a minor whiplash from a car accident may recover completely without any further effects. Torticollis may cause a person to suffer lifelong pain and a decreased ability to move about. A person with meningitis may recover from the infection, may suffer lifelong limitation in movement, or may die from the infection.
What are the risks to others?
The cause of the stiff neck will determine if others are at risk. A person who has injured his neck is not contagious. A person with an infection, such as meningitis, may be contagious to others.
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