Cervical Collars

If you are told you need to wear a cervical collar, what should you expect? A cervical collar doesn’t look much like a normal collar at all. It is actually a prosthesis created from plastic moldings that conform from the back of the skull to beneath the neck in the back. The patient’s chin normally rests on a chin rest in the front that then contours down the throat slightly past the collar bones along the chest area. The sides are contoured in an arch over the shoulders, and it rests slightly above the shoulder bones in the back. These collars normally coming in 2 separate pieces. Velcro straps are utilized to hold them in place at a comfortable angle. In most cases, they are also adjustable in the front via a button that turns to raise and lower the chin rest. 

A plastic collar probably doesn’t sound like the most comfortable of apparatuses to wear, but provisions were made in the design to combat that. Most cervical collar designs also require, and come with padding. The padding provides the utmost in comfort, as compared to the hard plastic shell of the collar. The pads are washable, but should be hung to dry, as they are made of foam covered by a thin gauzy material, in most cases. The most common pad designs come in 3 segments that fit snugly against the brace via Velcro tape pre-attached, permanently to the plastic mold of the cervical collar. 

Why does one need to wear a cervical collar? This type of prosthesis is necessary after any type of trauma to the neck itself. They are most commonly known for use when a patient suffers from whiplash, primarily occurring in auto accidents. The cervical collar is always used after any type of cervical spine surgery, usually involving C-1 through C8. This includes the Anterior Cervical Discetomy and the Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, aka Cervical Disc Replacement. 

What exactly does the cervical collar do? The entire purpose of the cervical collar is to actually provide additional support to the cervical spine. When the collar is placed properly, that is exactly what it does. Different surgeries and accidents can weaken the muscles surrounding the spine, irritate the nerves, and actually cause all the bones and the surrounding tissues to be contused and sore. The collar helps to keep the head within a specified range of motion, relieving any pressure that may be on the nerves. It gives the head and neck areas additional support, as holding one’s head in a normal position after trauma can be a challenge. The collar also provides extra protection around the damaged areas, in case of a fall or bump as well. 

A cervical collar can seem bulky and very uncomfortable, but the therapeutic results cannot be questioned. The stability provided makes a remarkable difference in the comfort and healing of most patients. The preformed moldings hold things exactly where they need to be in order to begin and succeed in the healing process.