Question
In 1991 I was in a rollover car accident, I was fine, I thought, until 2 weeks after when I started to have pain in my front left shoulder area. It got so uncomfortable (couldn't lay down,situp, stand) that I finally went to the emergancy room thinking I might be having a heart attack. An EKG was done and it was determined that wasn't my problem. I was then sent to x-ray and then ultimeatly to an MRI and it was determined that my 5th,6thand 7th vertabrae was degenitive(I'm not sure that is the word) anyway , what ultimately happened was a titanium plate and 4 screws,plus a fusion, which they took from my hip bone, was put into my neck.The MD's went in thru the front part of my neck,not a large scar at all and hardly even noticeable now. Lately,within the last week,I am having trouble turning my head to the side that my incision is on and this could even just be muscles? but also along with that,there seems to be more bone popping noise when i move my head. My question is ...is there any possible chance of the screws loosening or coming out? I don't know if something like lock tite or the equevilant(?) is used or just how would a procedure like this never come undone?    I'm hoping I make sense ? AND, do you think I would look foolish if I were to go get an x-ray to make sure everything is as it should be?   THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME   MUCH APPRECIATED!

Answer
Hi, Holly,

Yes, the problem could be muscles.  It's typical of whiplash injuries (and surgeries) that muscles tighten up at the site of injury.  That tightness may draw vertebrae so close together that they grind against each other with movement (popping sounds) and also restrict movement.

Sounds like you need some training in controlling those muscles.

Please read the article on whiplash injuries at somatics.com/page4.htm.  It will fill in the picture and offer an option for correcting the problem.

If after somatic training you still have the problem, an x-ray might be in order.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold