Cervical collars

A cervical collar is a plastic or foam neck brace that can be rigid and hard or firm but soft and is used to secure the cervical vertebrae in the normal position. It is use to align head, neck and spine to lessen the potential damage that injuries to these areas of the body can cause.

Cervical collars are used on an emergency and on a long-term basis to prevent cervical movement. They are often used for herniated discs, pinched nerves, fractures, muscle strains and sprains, like whiplash.

There are many types of cervical collars. The least restrictive, a soft collar is often used in transition from a more rigid brace to none at all. A rigid collar, or hard collar like the Philadelphia, Miami J, Atlas, or Patriot collar is very restrictive and is usually worn 24 hours a day until the injury has healed. A supportive collar such as the Headmaster Collar offers general head support but is not as restrictive as rigid braces. A Halo cervical collar, otherwise known as a SOMI (Sterno-Occipital Mandibular Immobilization) device, is used to keep the cervical spine in line with the rest of the spine and keeps the head, neck, and breastbone areas immobile. They are used after surgeries and for unstable cervical fractures. These braces are the most restrictive and cumbersome of all cervical collars used for injury recovery. It is especially used to protect the cervical vertebrae because death or paralysis can happen as a result from any injuries to those particular vertebrae.

The Aspen Cervical collars are made for optimal support and comfort. The structure of the collar was designed to provide major restriction of neck movement without producing the painful pressure points that can lead to skin sores which inturn causes the patient to be less likely to keep the collar on as prescribed. All skin contact surfaces of the collar are cushioned with cotton-lined, breathable foam padding. You can also purchase the replacement pads for the Aspen cervical collars.

The Sam Splint brand is a type of splint that can be fashioned into an emergency cervical collar. Giving you a custom moulded cervical collar.

The Frank Stubbs Company sells the Universal cervical collar. A Universal cervical collar is used for immobilization of the neck-cervial region. This collar is made of contoured firm and dense foam with a stockinette cover. It also has a woven reinforcement strap with Velcro closure. Collar measures around 19" in length and is available in 2", 3" or 4"widths. Each collar can be ordered with an additional 7" in length if necessary. You can also obtain pediatric cervical collars and twin city spinal cervical collars from most any medical supply store.