How a Cervical Collar Works

The Cervical Spine

A portion of the cervical spine
The cervical spine comprises seven vertebrae from the base of the skull to the top of the shoulders that support the skull and brain. The nerves that pass through the cervical spine serve the neck, face, sinuses, throat, arms, hands, shoulders, thyroid gland and other parts of the upper body. Hence, damage to the cervical spine can cause pain and sometimes disability.

Hot/cold gel collar
Cervical collars come in four basic models--gel-filled hot and cold packs, foam immobilization collars, hard plastic or metal support collars and hard plastic immobilization collars. They are fitted snugly around the neck and almost all fasten with Velcro. Cervical collars hold the head and securely and allow the neck to heal, preventing further injury.

Foam immobilization collar
Gel-filled hot and cold packs are used to relieve pain, stiffness and inflammation. They can be warmed in a microwave oven or frozen, then applied to the neck and fastened. The primary advantage over heating pads is their mobility--the wearer is not tethered to an electrical outlet when treating pain, and they can be prepared and worn at work or at home. Because they are fitted, they are less cumbersome than traditional ice packs.

Metal support collar
Foam immobilization collars are prescribed to patients who have soft-tissue injuries, such as whiplash and other kinds of neck sprains, or who need short-term support of the head and neck while regaining physical strength after a long-term illness. They are made of dense foam shaped to rest on the upper shoulders and clavicle while the top of the collar cradles the base of the skull. They are covered with a washable knit fabric and have a Velcro closure. Some doctors say that this type of cervical collar can do more harm than good and that they should not be used long-term. Immobilizing the neck can increase joint pain and stiffness and can make the muscles that support the neck and the spine weaker through disuse. See the Resources section below for a link.

Hard plastic immobilization collar
Hard plastic or metal support collars are prescribed to hold the head and neck of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and other degenerative diseases where the muscles are too weak to support the weight of the skull. They are made of fabric-covered hard plastic or metal tubing and are secured with wide Velcro strips. They are designed to be discrete and low-profile and fit easily inside clothing.

Hard plastic immobilization collars secure the spines and skulls of patients who have broken vertebrae, skull fractures and other trauma that requires complete immobilization during healing. They are also used during emergency rescues of accident victims to prevent additional injuries to the neck and skull during transport. Like the foam collar, they rest on the tops of the shoulders and clavicle, but support the head with shelf-like chin rest. They include a large opening in the front of the collar that can be used to monitor pulse in the carotid artery or for installation and maintenance of tracheotomy openings and respirators.