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A 'cervical collar' is a plastic, foam, or plastazole neck brace that can be rigid or soft and is used to secure the cervical vertebrae in the normal position. The term ''normal anatomical position'', or ''neutral position'' is used to describe the position of the head, neck and spine in the manner in which they appear with a human body lying supine with palms facing upward. With the head, neck and spine aligned in such a manner, the potential for injuries to these organs is decreased.
Cervical collars are used on an emergency or long term basis to prevent cervical flexion, extension, or rotation. They are often used for herniated discs, pinched nerves, fractures, muscle strains and sprains (such as whiplash), or after an invasive procedure or injury.
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 such as the [Philadelphia], Miami J, Atlas, or Patriot collar is much more 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 device or a SOMI (Sterno-Occipital Mandibular Immobilization) device is used to keep the cervical spine in line with the rest of the spine and immobilizes the head, neck, and sternum (breastbone) area. They are used after surgeries and for unstable cervical fractures. These braces are the most restrictive, rigid, and cumbersome of all cervical devices available for patient recovery.
It is especially important to protect the cervical vertebrae as death or paralysis can occur as a result from any injury to those vertebrae.
Care should be taken when applying a hard collar to a patient with ankylosing spondylitis as this has been reported to cause paraesthesia and quadriplegia. Hard collars have been shown to increase cerebrospinal fluid pressure, reduce tidal volume and cause dysphagia. Careful observations must be maintained.