The evaluation of a neck injury begins with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with a neck injury may include:

• Neck swelling
• Neck tenderness
• Limb numbness:
• Arm numbness (unilateral)
• Arm numbness (bilateral)
• Leg numbness (unilateral)
• Leg numbness (bilateral)
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Hand numbness (bilateral)
• Limb weakness:
• Arm weakness (unilateral)
• Arm weakness (bilateral)
• Leg weakness (unilateral)
• Leg weakness (bilateral)
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Hand weakness (bilateral)
• Loss of reflexes
• Loss of sense of position
• Urinary incontinence:
• Loss of bladder control
• Bowel incontinence:
• Loss of bowel control

Tests may be used to evaluate a neck injury. Testing is required to make the diagnosis of a neck fracture.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a neck injury include:

• X-rays of the neck:
• Normal cervical spine
• Torn ligaments
• Fracture of the odontoid process of the second vertebra
• Fracture of a vertebral body
• Fracture of a spinous process in the back of a neck vertebra
• CT scan of the neck
• MRI scan