Post-traumatic Cervical Osteomyelitis Masquerading as Neck Strain Following Minor Trauma: A Case Report

Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone tissue, causing inflammation. Common causes and risk factors include trauma, surgical procedures, the presence of foreign bodies, and immunocompromised states such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and diabetes mellitus. Osteomyelitis occurring in the absence of risk factors is relatively rare. Herein, we present a case of a 41-year-old female dog groomer with a history of iron deficiency anemia and no other significant chronic medical conditions, who presented with persistent neck pain and bilateral hand numbness following a work-related incident in which a dog she was grooming pulled her forward, causing a popping sensation in her neck. Imaging revealed destructive changes at C6-C7, concerning for osteomyelitis, with resulting cervical kyphosis and severe spinal cord compression. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics were started, and she underwent neurosurgical intervention, which revealed a phlegmon and small abscess intraoperatively. Although bone biopsy and blood cultures were negative, likely due to prior initiation of antibiotics, empiric antibiotic therapy was continued for six weeks based on clinical suspicion and surgical findings. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a broad differential when evaluating persistent neck pain, particularly after minor trauma. Increased awareness of these atypical presentations may facilitate earlier diagnosis and improve outcomes in otherwise low-risk individuals.