Stiff neck

What it means

A sensation of tightness in the neck when attempting to move it, especially after a period of inactivity. Neck stiffness often involves soreness and difficulty moving the neck, especially when trying to turn the head to the side.

Rare diseases that can present with this15

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category