How Do You Fit and Care for a Cervical Collar?
The neck, or cervical spine, is made up of seven cervical vertebrae. The vertebrae are the bones that 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, sports or car accidents. This may cause fractures of the vertebrae, tearing 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. A cervical collar can be part of the treatment.
How Often Should a Cervical Collar Be Worn?
Children must wear their cervical collar for 24 hours a day to keep their head and neck stabilized in proper alignment . It is important to keep the collar on and properly tightened at all times. Your child should only remove the collar—while lying flat, and with the help of an adult—to wash their neck.
With the assistance of an adult, your child should:
- Shower or bathe with the collar on, then change the pads when they are finished, 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 the trauma surgery provider
- Contact your trauma surgery provider immediately if symptoms develop or worsen
- Take medications as instructed by your trauma surgery provider
What Supplies Are Needed to Care for a Cervical Collar?
Soap, water, washcloth, towel and clean pads.
How Do You Change the Cervical Collar Pads and Care for the Skin?
- Before taking off your child's collar, gather your supplies.
- Have your child take a shower or bathe before changing the collar pads.
- Look at the collar and be familiar with where the Velcro straps end on the front of the collar. Some people find it helpful to take a picture of the collar with their cell phone before the collar is removed for the first time. This will help when reapplying the pads and tightening the collar to ensure a proper fit and pad placement.
To Change the Front of the Collar:
- Have your child lie down flat, with arms at their sides, without a pillow under their head. Your child should lie still and not move their head or neck while the collar is changed. If they cannot lie still, have a second person hold your child's head.
- Release the Velcro straps and remove the front panel of collar.
Clean the Skin
- Clean your child's neck with mild soap and water, gently wiping under the face, chin and neck.
- Rinse away the soap and gently dry skin.
- Check the skin for redness or sores.
- Do not place powder or gauze padding under the collar.
To Change the Pad
- Remove the pads from the front panel.
- If the plastic is dirty, clean it with soap and water or alcohol and dry it thoroughly before applying a clean pad.
- Reapply a new clean pad with the white side to your child’s skin. Center the pad on the plastic panel and adjust it so the gray side grips the Velcro dots.
- The pads must cover all the edges of the plastic, so the plastic does not touch the skin. If it doesn't, move the pad until it covers all the plastic.
Reapply the Front of the Collar
- Tuck the collar under your child's chin; the chin should come to the end of the chin piece for a good fit.
To Change the Back Panel of the Collar:
- Slide the back piece out from under your child’s neck, keeping your child flat on their back (no pillows) with their neck straight. They should not lift or move their head to help.
Clean the Skin
- Clean your child's neck with mild soap and water.
- Rinse away the soap and gently dry the skin.
- Check the skin for redness or breakdown.
- Do not place powder, lotion or gauze under the collar.
To Change the Pad
- Remove the pad from the back panel.
- If the plastic is dirty, clean it with soap and water or alcohol and dry it thoroughly before applying a clean pad.
- Reapply the new, clean pads with the gray side facing out and the white side to your child’s skin.
- The pads must cover all the edges of the plastic, so the plastic does not touch the skin.
Reapply the Back of the Collar
- Slide the back piece under the child’s neck to center along their neck.
- Your child should remain flat on their back with their neck in a straight position when reapplying. They should not lift or move their head to help.
Re-secure the Collar
- Secure the Velcro straps on both sides of the collar.
- Tighten each strap one at a time to remove any slack or looseness.
Check for Proper Fit
- Your child's head is centered with the rest of the body and not tilted or turned to the side.
- The chin comes to the end of the plastic chin piece.
- The Velcro straps end at the same place on both sides of the front of the collar.
- No plastic is touching your child's skin.
Cleaning the Pads
- Clean the dirty pads with mild soap and water. Allow them to air dry completely before reusing them. Do not put them in the washer or dryer.
