Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Your doctor will ask how the injury occurred and will measure how far your neck can move in different directions. He or she will also check to see if any parts of your neck are especially tender to pressure. X-rays may help to rule out other causes of neck pain such as vertebral fractures, dislocations or arthritis. CT or MRI scans might be requested to check for soft-tissue damage or pressure on nerves.

DS01037

Dec. 19, 2007

© 1998-2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Reliable tools for healthier lives," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Text Size: smaller largerlarger