Neck injury
Neck injury ranges from muscular strain and minor soft-tissue injury to serious injuries involving the cervical spine, vertebrae, or spinal cord. Serious injury must be excluded after significant trauma.
Localized muscular tenderness or stiffness without neurological symptoms and without significant trauma. Pain may be more noticeable with certain movements.
In football, neck injuries can occur through collisions, falls, heading duels, or forceful movement of the head and neck. Overuse can also cause muscular neck pain.
Common causes
- •Collision or fall
- •Forceful flexion or rotation of the neck
- •Heading duel or other contact involving the head and neck
- •Muscular overload
- •Sudden movement without direct contact
The risk of neck injury can be reduced through safe contact and tackling techniques, appropriate physical preparation, and avoiding unnecessary situations where the head and neck are exposed to high forces.
- •Train safe tackling and contact techniques
- •Strengthen the neck, shoulders, and trunk as part of physical preparation
- •Use appropriate technique during heading duels
- •Take neck pain after trauma seriously
- •Have clear procedures for acute neck injuries
Stop or reduce activities that provoke pain. Gentle movement within pain-free limits may be appropriate. Avoid aggressive stretching or manipulation.
Symptom control
Gradual restoration of normal neck movement and daily activity.
Goals
Reduce pain and stiffness.
Progression criteria
Daily movements can be performed without significant pain increase.
Strength and control
Gradual strengthening of the neck, shoulders, and trunk.
Goals
Restore strength and control for football.
Progression criteria
Strength exercises and football-specific movement are tolerated without symptom worsening.
- Full or near-full pain-free neck movement
- No numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Can complete football-specific training without symptom worsening
- No significant pain during contact activities
The information in the Injury Center is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Neck injury
Neck injury ranges from muscular strain and minor soft-tissue injury to serious injuries involving the cervical spine, vertebrae, or spinal cord. Serious injury must be excluded after significant trauma.
Mild — Ofta dagar till några veckor beroende på orsak och symtom.
Symptoms
Localized muscular tenderness or stiffness without neurological symptoms and without significant trauma. Pain may be more noticeable with certain movements.
Acute Treatment
Stop or reduce activities that provoke pain. Gentle movement within pain-free limits may be appropriate. Avoid aggressive stretching or manipulation.
Rehabilitation
Gradual restoration of normal neck movement and daily activity.
Goals
Reduce pain and stiffness.
Progression criteria
Daily movements can be performed without significant pain increase.
Gradual strengthening of the neck, shoulders, and trunk.
Goals
Restore strength and control for football.
Progression criteria
Strength exercises and football-specific movement are tolerated without symptom worsening.
Return to Play
- ☐ Full or near-full pain-free neck movement
- ☐ No numbness, tingling, or weakness
- ☐ Can complete football-specific training without symptom worsening
- ☐ No significant pain during contact activities
Moderate — Ofta några veckor, men varierar beroende på skadans orsak och omfattning.
Symptoms
More pronounced neck pain, restricted movement, or muscle spasm after trauma or loading. Headache may occur. Neurological symptoms should not be considered a normal feature of a simple neck strain.
Acute Treatment
After trauma with significant pain or restricted movement, the player should receive medical assessment before returning to contact sport. Avoid manipulation and activities that provoke pain.
Rehabilitation
The cause of symptoms is assessed and activity is modified.
Goals
Exclude more serious injury and reduce symptoms.
Progression criteria
Medical assessment allows active rehabilitation.
Gradual restoration of neck, shoulder, and trunk strength.
Goals
Restore normal function and load tolerance.
Progression criteria
Full range of motion and strengthening are tolerated without significant symptom worsening.
Gradual return to running, challenges, heading, and other football activities.
Goals
Tolerate normal football demands without symptoms.
Progression criteria
Full training including relevant contact activities is tolerated and medical assessment allows competition.
Return to Play
- ☐ Medical assessment after relevant trauma
- ☐ No neurological impairment
- ☐ Full or near-full range of motion
- ☐ Adequate strength and control
- ☐ Football training including relevant contact activities is tolerated
Severe — Varierar kraftigt och kan vara veckor till månader eller längre beroende på skadan.
Symptoms
Significant trauma with severe neck pain, deformity, inability to move the neck, numbness, tingling, weakness, paralysis, or breathing problems may indicate a serious cervical spine or spinal cord injury.
Acute Treatment
A suspected serious neck injury should be treated as an emergency. Keep the player as still as possible and seek emergency medical assistance. Do not attempt to straighten or manipulate the neck.
Rehabilitation
Serious injury requires emergency medical assessment and potentially imaging.
Goals
Exclude or treat fracture, instability, or neurological injury.
Progression criteria
Medical assessment has established the extent of injury and rehabilitation plan.
Rehabilitation follows the medical plan and may include mobility, strength, and neurological function.
Goals
Restore safe function and load tolerance.
Progression criteria
A healthcare professional determines that return to sport is safe.
Return to Play
- ☐ No return to play before medical assessment
- ☐ No contact sport until the relevant injury has been assessed and treated
- ☐ Full function and neurological stability according to medical assessment
- ☐ Individual medical clearance is required before competition
When to Seek Medical Care
Neck pain after significant trauma should be medically assessed, especially if neurological symptoms are present.
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Weakness or a feeling of paralysis
- Difficulty walking or coordinating movements
- Severe or worsening neck pain
- Deformity or abnormal positioning
- Breathing problems
- Altered consciousness after trauma
References
- Contact Sports — SpinalCord.com (https://www.spinalcord.com/contact-sports)