Torticollis

Torticollis is an abnormal condition of the neck muscles that causes the head to be tilted to one side. Sometimes, the chin may turn toward one shoulder. Torticollis is also called wryneck or twisted neck. Usually it is a symptom of another disorder.

Torticollis may have as many as 50 different causes. Congenital muscular torticollis may be caused by an injury to a neck muscle during birth. A disorder called dystonia may cause spasmodic torticollis. Sometimes torticollis might be caused by infections, especially infections of the throat or tonsils. There are other rare forms of torticollis caused by trauma, rheumatoid arthritis, inner ear problems, congenital deformities or drug reactions.

When an infant has congenital muscular torticollis, there may be a lump or swelling on the side of the neck and the neck muscles may not turn the head as far as normal. Because the infant may prefer sleeping on the stomach with the head turned one way, the face may flatten and the head may look like it is oblong instead of round. Usually, there is no pain.

An infant that seems to keep its head turned needs to be examined by a healthcare provider to determine the cause. If it is congenital torticollis, the provider usually has the parent work with the infant doing a series of exercises to stretch the muscle. The parent can get the infant to turn the head by putting toys and other objects on the side opposite the affected muscle. The infant must turn the head in order to reach the toy or object. With these exercises, the torticollis will usually get better by the time the infant is one year old.

Spasmodic torticollis usually starts in middle age. It can be treated with physical therapy, psychotherapy, neck braces, and pain control, including biofeedback. Each type of torticollis needs to be treated according to the cause. Some other treatments that might be used for torticollis include drugs taken by mouth or injected into the muscle, physical therapy, or, rarely, surgery. A recent popular treatment has been injecting botulinum toxin into the muscle.

Often torticollis will respond to simple treatments. A healthcare provider should be seen anytime the head tilts to the shoulder and stays in that position for several days.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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