You might have been shocked when you looked in a mirror and saw that your head tipped to one side, but your chin pointed in the opposite direction. This is the most noticeable sign of torticollis, a condition sometimes called wry neck.
There are two types of the disorder. The inherited version has a genetic basis. However, you might have the acute type, which results from trauma or a negative reaction to some drugs.
In most cases, acute torticollis isn’t life-threatening. Its most common symptoms include a neck so stiff that it’s hard for you to move it, shoulder or back pain, cramping in the neck, a burning sensation and muscle tightness. If you have any of these symptoms, you should plan to see a healthcare provider within the next 24 hours.
However, if you injure your neck and experience muscle spasms, you should call a pain management clinic or possibly head to an emergency room. Some symptoms, whether from injury or irritation, signal damage to the central nervous system. You should consider any of these signs an emergency, particularly when they appear suddenly and if you have a fever:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Bladder or bowel incontinence
- Trouble walking
- Sensations of pins and needles or numbness in the arms and legs
- Speech impairment
- Neck stiffness
- Feelings of weakness in your arms and legs
- Swelling of your mouth or tongue
- Swollen glands
You can expect the treating physician to take your medical history, perform a physical exam and order radiologic studies to rule out other conditions before treating you for torticollis.
Source: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/torticollis/page4_em.htm#when_to_seek_medical_care
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