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

Physical findings in someone with neck pain may include:

• Neck laceration
• Neck muscle spasm
• Neck puncture wound
• Neck skin redness
• Neck swelling
• Neck tenderness
• Upper limb numbness:
• Arm numbness (unilateral)
• Arm numbness (bilateral)
• Hand numbness (unilateral)
• Hand numbness (bilateral)
• Upper limb weakness:
• Arm weakness (unilateral)
• Arm weakness (bilateral)
• Hand weakness (unilateral)
• Hand weakness (bilateral)

Tests that may be used to evaluate neck pain 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
• Thyroid scan