Cervical Collar, also known as aneck brace, is amedical deviceused to support a person’s neck. It is also used byemergency personnelfor those who have had traumatic head or neck injuries,^[1]and can be used to treat chronic medical conditions.

每当人们有一个traumatichead or neck injury, they may have acervical fracture. This makes them at high risk forspinal cord injury,这可能加剧了体育运动rson and could lead toparalysisor death. A common scenario for this injury would be a person suspected of havingwhiplashbecause of acar accident.^[2]In order to prevent further injury, such people may have a collar placed by medical professionals untilX-rayscan be taken to determine if acervical spine fractureexists.^[3]The cervical collar only stabilizes the top sevenvertebrae, C1 through C7. (Other immobilizing devices such as aKendrick Extrication Deviceor abackboardcan be used to stabilize the remainder of the spinal column.^[1])

The routine use of a cervical collar by a first aid provider is not recommended.^[4]

Cervical collars are also used therapeutically to help realign the spinal cord and relieve pain,^[5]although they are usually not worn for long periods of time.^[6]Another use of the cervical collar is forstrains,sprainsorwhiplash.^[2][3]If pain is persistent, the collar might be required to remain attached to help in the healing process.^[3][5]A person may also need a cervical collar, or may require ahalo fixation deviceto support the neck duringrecoveryafter surgery such ascervical spinal fusion.