AARF
What to do when your child's neck is tilted and won't go back
The joint between the first cervical vertebra (atlas) and the second cervical vertebra (axis) at the very top of the neck becomes stuck in a twisted position and cannot return to normal.
It happens most often in children and can develop after a cold or other infection, or after a minor neck injury.
The main sign is a neck that stays tilted and cannot be straightened. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, minor neck bumps, or ENT surgery can be the cause
The tissues around the C1-C2 vertebrae become swollen due to inflammation
Inflammation causes the joint to stay displaced and unable to return to normal
With early diagnosis and proper care, most cases improve with conservative treatment. However, the more time passes after onset, the harder it is to correct: children first seen more than a month after onset are reported to need surgery more often. Follow-up is also needed because recurrence is possible.