Torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscles cause the head to tilt, turn or rotate to the side.
Spasmodic torticollis; Wry neck; Loxia; Cervical dystonia; Cock-robin deformity; Twisted neck; Grisel syndrome
Torticollis may be:
The condition may also occur without a known cause.
With torticollis present at birth, it may occur if:
Symptoms of torticollis include:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. The exam may show:
Tests that may be done include:
Treating torticollis that is present at birth involves stretching the shortened neck muscle. Passive stretching and positioning are used in infants and small children. In passive stretching, a device such as strap, a person, or something else is used to hold the body part in a certain position. These treatments are often successful, especially if they are started within 3 months of birth.
Surgery to correct the neck muscle may be done in the preschool years, if other treatment methods fail.
Torticollis that is caused by damage to the nervous system, spine, or muscles is treated by finding the cause of the disorder and treating it. Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
The condition may be easier to treat in infants and children. If torticollis becomes chronic, numbness and tingling may develop due to pressure on the nerve roots in the neck.
Complications in children may include:
Complications in adults may include:
Contact your provider for an appointment if symptoms do not improve with treatment, or if new symptoms develop.
Torticollis that occurs after an injury or with illness may be serious. Seek medical help right away if this occurs.
While there is no known way to prevent this condition, early treatment may prevent it from getting worse.
Liu RW, Thompson GH. Musculoskeletal disorders in neonates. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 97.
Marcdante KJ, Kleigman RM, Schuh AM. Spine. In: Marcdante KJ, Kleigman RM, Schuh AM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 202.
White KK, Bouchard M, Goldberg MJ. Common neonatal orthopedic conditions. In: Gleason CA, Juul SE, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 101.
Review Date:
4/25/2022 Reviewed By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |