Dr Chin’s Tips and Guide to Torticollis (Twisted Neck): What You Need to Know
Struggling with neck pain? Learn about Torticollis (twisted neck), its causes, symptoms, and treatment options in our informative blog post.
Torticollis, also called wry neck or twisted neck, happens when the muscles in the neck tighten up on their own. This makes the head lean to one side. The problem might show up very fast or slowly over time, and it depends on what causes it. For ENT doctors, to know more about torticollis, they need to look at different things. They check for muscle problems, nerve issues, or even trouble with the upper part of the breathing system.
What Causes Torticollis?
Torticollis can happen at birth or show up later on and may affect your baby’s head and neck. It may be caused by a muscle injury, a viral infection, trauma, nerve problems, or swelling from issues with the ears, nose, and throat that affect the neck muscles.
Congenital Torticollis
This kind often shows up in babies. It can happen when there is a muscle injury during birth, or if the baby is not in the right position in the womb. The sternocleidomastoid muscle on one side of the neck gets tight.
Acquired Torticollis
In adults and older children, torticollis can happen because of:
- Infections: Swelling or pockets of pus near the cervical spine, tonsils, or throat can make the muscles spasm.
- Injury: A hit or injury to the neck or spine can cause the muscles to tighten up.
- Neurological Conditions: Conditions like cervical dystonia can make the neck muscles contract again and again or hold in one spot for some time.
- ENT-Related Causes: Problems like retropharyngeal abscesses or bad colds in the upper airways may make nearby tissues swell and can change how the neck sits.
Key Symptoms to Watch For
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Head Tilt | Chin turns to one side; ear moves closer to the shoulder on the affected side. |
| Neck Pain or Stiffness | Often accompanied by limited range of motion. |
| Swollen Lymph Nodes | May indicate infection; can occur with fever or throat symptoms. |
| Impaired Balance/Vision | Long-term misalignment may affect posture and visual coordination. |
When to See an ENT Specialist
Some cases of torticollis may get better by themselves. But, there are some signs that show you should see a special ENT doctor:
- A head tilt that does not go away after several days
- A fever, sore throat, or trouble swallowing that comes with a stiff neck
- Neck pain that starts all of a sudden without an injury
- A time in the past where you had an ear, sinus, or upper respiratory infection
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on what is causing the problem. Some options are as follows:
ENT Surgery: Sometimes surgery with an ear, nose, and throat doctor is needed.targeted care.
Physical Examination and Physical Therapy: This is often used for babies born with congenital torticollis.
Antibiotics or Surgery: Doctors will use these when there is an infection or if an abscess forms.
Botulinum Toxin Injections: These are for people who have muscle spasms in the affected muscles from dystonia-related torticollis.
- About the Author
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Dr Ronald Chin is an Australian trained Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon.
After graduating as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Dr Chin undertook further specialised training in Head and Neck Cancer at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
He has published many research papers and is an active teacher and scholar.
As part of his subspecialty training, Dr Chin has training in Laser, Da Vinci Robotic, Flex Robotic and complex surgical techniques.
In addition to specialised Head and Neck Cancer, Dr Chin also enjoys general adult and paediatric ENT Surgery and practices sinus, snoring/sleep and general paediatric ENT Surgical procedures.
Dr Ronald Chin works as a general Otolaryngologist, offering a wide range of surgical and non-surgical treatments including ear surgery, nose surgery and throat surgery. He provides treatment for chronic conditions such as tonsillitis, sinus problems and problems with hearing.
He is also involved in the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions such as facial paralysis, head and neck cancer and sleep apnea. As well as performing surgery on children, he also provides specialist care for adults, including the treatment of throat disorders, voice loss and ear problems.
Dr Chin has also served as a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Sydney, a Conjoint Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney.
