title: What you always wanted to know about the history and physical examination of neck pain but were afraid to ask.
abstract: Diagnoses of most cases of neck pain can be made on the basis of a careful history and physical examination. Any tests must be interpreted only in the context of the clinical examination. The clinician must be cognizant of signs or symptoms that may indicate a more serious disorder by attending to the red flags and examining the lower extremities for spasticity that could indicate cervical myelopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 East Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. jchonet@comcast.net
authors.forename: Joseph C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Honet
authors.forename: Maury R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ellenberg
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010808:Physical Examination