Torticollis

An abnormal, twisted, and tilted position of the head and neck caused by involuntary contraction, tightness, or spasm of cervical muscles, resulting in abnormal head posture and limited neck movement.

Causes

• Congenital torticollis due to a shortened sternocleidomastoid muscle

  • Intrauterine positioning

  • Birth-related injury

• Mechanical and musculoskeletal causes

  • Sleeping in an awkward position

  • Sudden neck movements

  • Poor posture

  • Cervical muscle strain

  • Degenerative cervical spine disease

  • Tumors or structural lesions affecting cervical muscles or nerves

• Infectious and inflammatory causes

  • Enlarged cervical lymph nodes

  • Throat infections

  • Ear infections

  • Cervical spine inflammation

• Medications (drug-induced dystonia)

  • Antiemetic

  • Antipsychotic

• Neurological causes

  • Cervical dystonia (idiopathic cervical dystonia)

  • Abnormal basal ganglia or motor control signaling

  • Spasticity from neurological disorders

  • Cervical spine trauma