Torticollis is the name given to the odd position taken by the neck and head for various reasons. It shows the neck leaning to one side or the other and head twisted out of its normal central position. The twisting may be accompanied by pain on one side of the neck and swelling or inflammation. The patient may be suffering headaches and head shaking. There are several causes.

The muscles which join the skull to the body (the collar bone and the breast bone) are known as SCM and run down either side of the neck. These are the muscles affected in torticollis.

This condition may be inherited genetically. Alternatively, it may be the result of a congenital disorder, usually caused by stress on the neck inside the womb. The neck muscles may spasm as a result and the neck twists away in a reflex. This is spasmodic torticollis and arises in young children upwards.

Teenagers upwards may suffer from acute torticollis or acute wry neck. This is a more common form and usually shows itself after sleeping. The patient awakes to find their neck hurting on one side and twisting away from the pain giving a distorted look. The cause of the pain may simply be sleeping in an odd position. Attempting to right the head and neck will result in yet more pain. All movement of the neck will be stiff and painful.

A similar result sometimes occurs after a direct blow to the neck area and injury to the muscles concerned. Degenerative disease of the neck bones or tumors in the neck can sometimes lead to the same symptoms.

Some drugs, can act to relax control over muscles. One result can be that the neck twists abnormally and involuntarily and torticollis is seen. If you are experiencing symptoms or pain similar to what has been described, Orthopedic advice is recommended.