[Neck Circumference]What is the neck circumference and neck collar? What is the function of the neck collar? How to use the neck collar?
The function of the cervical spine traction device
The first purpose of the cervical retractor is to rest the neck muscles. Second, after the cervical vertebra is properly fixed and braked, it can limit the excessive movement of the neck, reduce the degeneration of the cervical vertebra, the relative friction between the compressed object and the nerve root, sympathetic nerve, vertebral artery and cervical spinal cord, and reduce the intervertebral joints. It can relieve and improve the pressure state of the intervertebral space, increase the support function of the neck, reduce the continuous injury and strain, which is conducive to the regression of tissue edema and the repair of damage, and can also play a role in consolidating the curative effect and preventing recurrence.
The cervical retractor mainly uses various neck braces, such as neck collar and neck brace, etc. It is suitable for patients with various types of cervical spondylosis.
All patients with cervical spondylosis should stick to the use of cervical braces during treatment, especially for patients after cervical spine surgery. After cervical spine surgery, they generally need to wear a neck brace for 2-3 months. collar. The neck brace can be worn during the day and removed during bed rest. The neck collar and neck brace combined with bed rest can replace part of the role of bed rest. It is suitable for some patients who cannot insist on bed rest. When wearing the neck collar, reading and newspapers will not be affected, and the neck can still be in a state of rest.
For patients with cervical spondylosis, in addition to bed rest, the immobilization of the neck is the second basic conservative treatment measure during the patient’s non-surgical conservative treatment, which is very important. Some patients can improve their symptoms with collar protection alone, but we still advocate that neck collar protection should be combined with bed rest, physiotherapy, traction, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs, traditional Chinese medicines such as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, reducing swelling and pain relief, and topical drugs. , in order to achieve better results.
What is a neck collar?
The plaster collar used in the past has been basically eliminated due to the troublesome production and inconvenient wearing and disassembly. Now there are many medical device manufacturers that have made various neck collars and collars for patients with different body types and different requirements. The patient can choose the appropriate neck collar and neck brace according to the thickness and length of the neck, as well as their different requirements. These neck supports are light, strong, easy to wear and disassemble, and can be customized according to the requirements of different patients.
There are a variety of commercial cervical external fixation braces suitable for patients with different types of cervical spondylosis. After years of use at home and abroad, it has been shown that most of the cervical braces are firmly fixed, and they are not suitable for the patient’s jaw and jaw. The pressure on the occipital area is moderate, there is no obvious irritation to the skin, most patients feel comfortable, easy to use, and the price is moderate, which can meet the needs of cervical external fixation for most cervical vertebra patients. And for patients with special fixation requirements and special body shape, some companies can also tailor-made.
Among these neck braces, the relatively simple one is the neck collar, which is suitable for the vast majority of cervical spondylosis patients and the use after cervical spine surgery. Disassembly is relatively easy. The disadvantage is that the fixation is not as reliable as the cervical brace, and it is not suitable for some patients who have higher requirements for external fixation after cervical spine surgery.
The other type of cervical collar is more reliable than the neck collar, and is mainly suitable for certain cervical spine operations that require higher external fixation, such as the stability of the cervical spine after surgery is still relatively poor, and anterior cervical spine surgery implantation. The bone block is larger and no internal fixation is used, but the price is more expensive.
UsePros and Cons of Neck Braces
There are pros and cons to using a neck brace. The advantage is that the fixation is more reliable, but the disadvantage is that it weakens the opportunity to exercise the neck muscles. Long-term use can cause neck muscle atrophy and joint stiffness. Therefore, the wearing time should not be too long. When the symptoms are severe, it may be applied for a short time. It should be removed in time after the symptoms are gradually relieved. If there is no discomfort at other times, it is not necessary to wear it often, and it is appropriate to allow the neck muscles to have appropriate opportunities to exercise. During the application of the neck brace, some medical physical exercises should be performed regularly to restore the strength of the neck muscles.
There is one more problem to be aware of when wearing a neck brace. Usually when we speak and eat, the head is not moving, relying on the up and down movement of the mandible to complete the function of speaking and chewing. The neck brace is to fix the head and neck by fixing the mandible. Therefore, after wearing the neck brace, when talking and eating, the mandible is fixed, resulting in frequent flexion and extension of the head, which increases instead. The flexion and extension of the cervical spine is unfavorable for the rest and protection of the neck. Therefore, you should take off the neck support when you eat, and try not to have a big mouth when speaking. Especially, you should pay attention to the kind of cervicothoracic support that is more firmly fixed.
How to use a cervical collar
After placing the patient Place its neck in the “median position”, that is, the line from the head to the corner of the mouth and the earlobe is perpendicular to the ground, and the tip of the nose is in a straight line with the navel;
Bystanders use their fingers to measure the distance from the lower part of the mandible to the clavicle, and then choose a height suitable for the injured person and adjust it; note that the patient should not adjust the height by himself, so as to avoid vertebral instability;
Carefully thread the collar through the back of your neck, then. Slowly align the small dots of the jaw pad with the injured person’s jaw;
Carefully attach the neck brace, taking care to avoid moving the injured person’s head, neck and spine.
Precautions
Move the injured head to the “center” If you encounter resistance or the injured person feels pain, they should stop moving immediately;
After fixing, when carrying out other actions such as carrying Always pay attention to whether the posture of the injured person’s neck is “neutral”.
