clicking at base of skull with head rotation

Answer 1

I’m a retired physiotherapist for sports injuries.

Sounds like you have a fracture to the occipital bone in the back of the skull or the C1; Atlas Cervical vertebrae (top vertebrae that connects the head to your body). This has caused small fragments of bone to become dislodged and suspended inside the ball and socket joint in your neck, the movement when turning your head is stimulating the clicking sounds that you experience. Have you recently encountered any head trauma?

I would suggest seeing your GP, for an assessment of the situation, since I cannot say for sure without seeing the affected area. From my vast knowledge of over 34 years of working in my practice I have encountered several similar cases to what you are describing, unfortunately some of these cases have turned into serious cases of paralysis and sometimes the patient has turned into the rather vulgar term "vegetable", but don’t worry, this is only the most severe cases.

Normally I would advise my patient to take a sick leave from any physical work for the next 6-12 weeks; the healing process is long and can easily be agitated by any lifting such as lifting a kettle.

Yours Faithfully,

Dr. Brading.

Any further questions don’t hesitate to contact me privately; 07894164063 (UK)