The neck, or cervical spine, is made up of seven vertebrae called C1 to C7. The vertebrae, the bones felt in your neck and back, are the bony building blocks for your spinal column and protect the spinal cord. The spinal cord, a thick bundle of nerve cells, carry messages for movement and feeling to all parts of the body. Muscles and ligaments attach to the vertebrae and help stabilize the spine.
Though the neck is very flexible, the structures of the neck are at risk for injury due to strong sudden movements or force that may happen in accidents, such as falls or car accidents. This may cause fractures of the vertebrae, tears or stretching of the ligaments or strain of the muscles.
It is important to evaluate and treat these injuries due to the risk of damage to the spinal cord.
Your child should wear the collar 24 hours a day
Some children must wear the Aspen Collar for 24 hours a day to keep their heads and necks as still as possible, or immobilized, as part of the healing process. It is important to keep the collar on and properly tightened at all times. Your child should only remove the collar -- with the help of an adult -- to wash his / her face and neck.
With the assistance of an adult, your child should:
- Wear the collar 24 hours a day
- Shower or bathe with the collar on, then change the pad as instructed below
- Lie down when changing the collar and pads
- Follow the skin care instructions, as noted below, every day
- Continue activity restrictions until follow-up with your health care provider
- Contact your health care provider immediately if symptoms worsen or progress
- Take medications as instructed by your health care provider
