Selecting a cervical brace is not an exact process. When selecting a brace, a few points are important to consider. One is the size of the brace, because a cervical collar of the wrong size does not provide any medical benefit. The style of the brace also is important because different injuries require specific types of braces. Finally, the comfort level of the patient is vital because patients need to comply with orders to wear the brace.
Cervical collars come in basic sizes: small, medium and large. This simple sizing system means that patients do not get an exact fit with a cervical brace. Instead, the patient needs someone to do a basic measurement. Doctors and physical therapists, as well as nurses, are able to help with cervical brace fittings.
The length from the top of the collarbone midway to the shoulder to the jaw line determines the size collar that a patient will need. The selected cervical collar should be the same width as this distance on the patient’s body. Even after using this sort of “eyeballing” approach to sizing the brace, trying the choices on for fit will make sure the patient chooses the best one.
The style of brace matters because the patient needs to be able to get in and out of the brace appropriately to ensure immobilization of the area. If a patient is not sleeping in a brace, for instance, the patient needs a brace that has an opening on the front. The patient’s chin should rest on the cervical brace and not protrude over it. Some braces will be easier to open and close for some patients. Not being properly immobilized in the brace can cause problems, including exacerbating the injury if the patient moves his or her neck too much.
Another consideration is the effort that it will take to wash the chosen cervical collar. A patient must wash the collar to prevent bacterial buildup and odor. Some patients will be able to spend more time and energy on the upkeep for their brace, making the style decision important.
Most cervical braces come with padding. This padding will keep the brace from causing discomfort for the patient. The padding on a cervical collar comes in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, and patients need to try on the collar with the padding in place before making a decision on the collar. The wrong padding could be uncomfortable.
