Types of Wry Neck Torticollis

There are two types of wry neck torticollis. These include the apophyseal and discogenic types of wry neck torticollis. The following identifies how to differentiate between the two types of wry neck torticollis:

The apophyseal wry neck occurs predominantly in younger persons up to their early thirties. It is not usually associated with radiating pain and is commonly caused by sudden movements occuring through sport and exercise. Incidentally, it has become more common in children who play exercise based computer games that require them to make sudden, unique movements. There is some postural deformity relating to the flexion away from the damaged joint.

In contrast, the discogenic wry neck can occur in persons of all ages and is more common in older persons. It progresses with a gradual onset and typically occurs upon waking from a long sleep in an awkward posture as opposed to a sudden movement or exercise. Unlike apophyseal pain, there is generally some radiating pain down the cervical and upper thoracic region.

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