Torticollis

Twisting of the neck, causing the head to be tilted and fixed in an abnormal position (wry neck). There is often neck pain and stiffness. The cause is usually a minor neck injury that irritates cervical nerves, leading to muscle spasm. Other causes are sleeping in an awkward position, a neck-muscle injury at birth, and a burn or injury that has caused heavy scarring. Torticollis due to muscle spasm may be treated by use of an orthopaedic collar (see collar, orthopaedic), heat treatment, ultrasound treatment, physiotherapy, or injections of the toxin that causes botulism. When the cause is an injury arising from birth, the muscle is gently stretched several times each day; occasionally, an operation is required.