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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Do Stiffness And Pain In The Neck Indicate?

Have had stiff neck and dull pain for a few weeks. Had a really really bad headache Wednesday morning and went to the doc. He said I had a neck spasm that resulted in a tension headache. He also performed a couple noninvasive tests to see if I had meningitis. Passed those. Neck is still stiff and I have a headache and a fever or 99.5. I’m scared I might have meningitis
Tue, 26 Jun 2018
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

You may not be having meningitis. Because it will have some other associated symptoms. The symptoms seen in meningitis are

1. Sudden high fever
2. Stiff neck
3. Severe headache that seems different than normal
4. Headache with nausea or vomiting
5. Confusion or difficulty concentrating
6. Seizures
7. Sleepiness or difficulty waking
8. Sensitivity to light
9. No appetite or thirst
10. Skin rash (sometimes, such as in meningococcal meningitis).

By far the most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain. In particular, the levator scapulae muscle is susceptible to injury. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapulae muscle connects the neck’s cervical spine with the shoulder. Some uncommon causes are- Cervical herniated disc, Cervical degenerative disc disease, Cervical osteoarthritis. I suggest you to meet an orthopedics who may take an X-ray and try to diagnose. If everything is normal it may just be a tension headache as your doctor suggested. You need to take measures to reduce stress.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Do Stiffness And Pain In The Neck Indicate?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. You may not be having meningitis. Because it will have some other associated symptoms. The symptoms seen in meningitis are 1. Sudden high fever 2. Stiff neck 3. Severe headache that seems different than normal 4. Headache with nausea or vomiting 5. Confusion or difficulty concentrating 6. Seizures 7. Sleepiness or difficulty waking 8. Sensitivity to light 9. No appetite or thirst 10. Skin rash (sometimes, such as in meningococcal meningitis). By far the most common cause of a stiff neck is a muscle strain or soft tissue sprain. In particular, the levator scapulae muscle is susceptible to injury. Located at the back and side of the neck, the levator scapulae muscle connects the neck’s cervical spine with the shoulder. Some uncommon causes are- Cervical herniated disc, Cervical degenerative disc disease, Cervical osteoarthritis. I suggest you to meet an orthopedics who may take an X-ray and try to diagnose. If everything is normal it may just be a tension headache as your doctor suggested. You need to take measures to reduce stress. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.