Stiffness in the cervical spine may relate to any number of conditions, some more innocuous than others. In some cases, cervical spine stiffness may indicate a spasm in the neck muscles or injury to the spinal cord in the neck, known as a burner. In other cases, stiffness may signal that a cervical disc has herniated. When symptoms such as fever and sensitivity to light accompany the feeling of stiffness, this could mean you have contracted viral meningitis.
Burner
If you play contact sports such as rugby or football and your cervical spine feels stiff while walking after a game, you may have what's known as a burner. These entail injuries to the nerves of the neck usually caused by collisions or tackles with another player. Other symptoms besides stiffness in the neck include pain, numbness and tingling sensations that move down your shoulder and arm. Burners typically heal within a few days. See your physician if your symptoms persist beyond two or three weeks.
Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy
Neck stiffness while walking may relate to cervical spondylotic myelopathy, a condition that compresses the spinal cord. This disease can occur with aging or as an arthritis complication. Other symptoms accompany stiffness in cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including numbness in the hands and arms, pain and weakness in the hands and arms, and loss of function in the hands. Treatment depends on how advanced the condition is and the severity of symptoms. Often, it involves neck braces or physical rehabilitation with a therapist.
Herniated Cervical Disc
Stiffness in the neck while walking also can mean one of your cervical discs has herniated. Herniated discs occur quite commonly and can be attributed to injury, trauma to the spine or neck, postural misalignment or aging. Often numbness, tingling and pain may be experienced in the arms, shoulder and hands as well as stiffness in the neck. Cervical herniated discs often respond well to nonsurgical treatments, such as physiotherapy and chiropractic manipulation.
Viral Meningitis
Stiffness in the cervical spine while walking may also mean you have contracted viral meningitis, an infection that affects the tissue surrounding the spinal cord. Symptoms tend to develop quickly and include a stiff neck, nausea, high fever, intense headache, vomiting, drowsiness, difficulty waking up and disorientation. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms to see whether your symptoms are bacterial or viral. Treatment of viral meningitis includes lots of fluids, bed rest, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to lower the fever and treat the headache. Viral meningitis typically clears up within two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial meningitis is more serious and requires antibiotics.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org; Burners; GS Kuhlman et al.
- FamilyDoctor.org; Fiber: Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy (CSM); WF Young
- Spine-Health; Cervical Herniated Disc Symptoms and Treatment Options; Richard Staehler, MD; June 2002
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: NINDS Meningitis and Encephalitis Information Page
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Meningitis Questions & Answers
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