What Is Orthopedic Neck Brace?

Orthopedic neck braces or cervical collars are essential orthopedic medical equipment that is utilized on the cervical part of an individual's spinal cord and also their head. It is often used by emergency medical personnel on people who have just undergone traumatic head and neck injuries. Apart from emergency circumstances, an orthopedic neck brace may also be employed therapeutically on chronic medical diseases, as well as a protective gear in high-risk motorsports such as go-kart racing, speedboat racing, and Motocross.

The main function of an orthopedic neck brace is to help people who have been through a serious neck injury. It functions as a stabilizer to the neck that lessens the chance of further spinal damage.

This is critical as spinal damage can lead to paralysis or even death. The brace stabilizes the first seven bones of the spine and it is typically kept until an appropriate medical diagnosis resolved the next step to take.

Another use of an orthopedic neck brace is for recovering from a serious neck injury or surgery. Stabilizing the spine is critical when recuperating as it lets the body heal itself in a correct manner. Unnecessary movements will not encourage such healing and therefore the neck brace restricts the neck for this purpose.

People with certain chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis may also need an orthopedic neck brace especially when walking to prevent migraine headaches. A few neck braces can even help regulate extreme temperatures by absorbing the excess energy when the temperature becomes hotter and releasing it once it becomes colder. This in turn can help prevent muscle spasms that cause pain and prolong healing.

Furthermore, there are several types of orthopedic neck braces that may be prescribed to a patient.  The most ordinary ones are hard and soft collars. The former is prescribed for people who have just been on a serious injury while the latter is used for individuals who are already recuperating. Another form is the Philadelpia collar which is utilized by people who have just been through a cervical spine surgery to encourage a healthy recuperation. The most inflexible type of neck brace is the halo which has metal rings and attached by metal pins. This is given to people that have the most fragile neck conditions that needs complete immobilization.