Neck popping, headaches, unusual neck movement

[kelli1117]

My 4 year old son has been complaining of headaches and has been making unusual neck movements. When I hold him I can hear his neck "popping" when he makes certain movements. About a year ago he had surgery to have his tonsils removed. During his surgery there was a surgical fire that resulted in 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his mouth and throat. He has recovered remarkably well but has complained of headaches since then, quite frequently. We have had catscans done that show nothing alarming. What could be causing the headaches and the popping sound?

[YankeeBeckham]

Hi kelli,
I'm sorry to hear that your son has not been feeling well. I don't know what is causing his symptoms, but I do know that neck problems can cause headaches, so it may be worth having a doctor examine his neck. You may want to look into Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome, too, which can cause headaches and a stiff neck, especially if the fire forced him to change the way he moves his mouth and jaw. Headaches and a stiff neck can also be caused by tension headaches, which can be a result of stress or chemical changes in his brain. Joint popping in itself is not necesarily a problem, as it is caused by the gas bubbles dissolved in joint fluid coming out of solution and "popping". In any event, it is impossible to diagnosis him without a complete history and examination, so I would recommend talking to his pediatrician to get to the bottom of this. Best of luck and keep us posted!