There are many causes of frontal neck pain, including thyroid conditions and bone spurs in the neck. Front neck pain may also be caused by a goiter, which occurs when the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and painful, either from infection or other health issues. Other causes of neck pain may be stress related. Some cases may be caused by slouching or unsatisfactory posture.
Symptoms of frontal neck pain may be difficult to accurately diagnose. This is because many conditions and illnesses may cause neck, jaw, or spine pain. Therefore, when a person complains of front neck pain, a physician will try to determine what other medical issues exist.
A condition known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) may cause joint pain in the jawbone and neck pain. In cases of TMJ, the temporomandibular joint becomes sore and tender. This joint connects the upper jaw to the base of the cranium. There may be underlying causes for this condition, including misalignment of the teeth or jaw, or dental problems. Arthritis may also cause this affliction.
Swollen lymph nodes may cause front neck pain in some people. This may be caused by a viral infection, or, in some cases, a form of cancer. An abscessed tooth may also cause swollen lymph nodes, leading to pain in the front of the neck.
Whiplash may cause pain in the front of the neck. Whiplash refers to an injury to the neck, typically incurred from a quick or jerky movement with increased force. Automobile accidents may cause whiplash in some individuals, resulting in severe neck pain. A cervical collar or brace is typically worn by the patient to stabilize the neck.
Lupus may cause neck pain in some individuals. Occurring more commonly in women, this disease is a chronic condition. Lupus patients may suffer a host of symptoms, all with inflammatory side effects. With a patient suffering from lupus, the immune system misfires and mistakenly assaults organs and other structures within the body.
Patients who are afflicted with lupus may also suffer from swelling in various areas of the body. Joints are often affected and become rigid and inflamed. Joints in the neck may also become painful and tender, and frontal neck pain is one symptom of the disease.
Other miscellaneous causes of front neck pain include sinusitis and throat infections, such as tonsillitis. Muscle strain and herniated discs may also produce localized neck pain. These injuries to the neck may be an acute condition or occur gradually over time. Bone spurs in the neck, although not common, may be another cause of frontal neck pain.