A collar has been supplied to you in order to support, protect and limit the movement of your neck as you have sustained an injury to it.
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There are multiple different causes of this, but most commonly, it is due to a cervical spine fracture. This is a break to one of the bones in your neck.
Most fractures (or other injuries) of the neck are treated ‘conservatively’ (ie: allowed to heal without the need for an operation), and the hard collar will aid the healing process by:
Occasionally, surgery may be required to manage an injury to your neck, and sometimes the doctors will want you to wear a hard collar after your surgery to promote healing the operation.
It is important that you discuss your specific injury, its severity and what this means for you, with your doctor.
The Vista (Aspen) hard collar is a 2-piece collar, with a separate front and back, which fasten together with Velcro.
The doctor or nurse who is caring for you will have adjusted this to ensure that it correctly fits you – please don’t touch the adjustment dial following your discharge.
It should be tight enough to restrict your movement (for example: you should not be able to nod ‘yes’ or shake your head ‘no’), but must not restrict things such as breathing or swallowing.
It is important that you wear your cervical hard collar at all times so as to ensure maximum effect and minimise further injury (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).
Please seek advice and support from your doctor or nurse if you are not completely comfortable wearing your collar.
Ask the assistant to change the pads of the front piece and clean / check the skin at the front of the neck.
5. Place the front piece back on – scoop upwards from your chest - ensure it fits centrally and snugly, with your chin near the edge of the chin rest
6. The assistant slides back panel of collar sideways from underneath you (extra assistant can support keeping head still, if required)
Ask the assistant to change the pads of the back panel and clean / check the skin at the back of the neck – (use mirror to help, if required).
7. The assistant slides the back panel sideways underneath your neck – ensuring a central position.
8. Bring the velcro straps forward evenly and re-attach in same position noted before removal. The grey pads on the back panel overlap the plastic sides of the front piece. The straps should be the same length on both sides.
9. Ensure collar feels in the same position as it was prior to removal and tighten straps evenly on each side if necessary.
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Yes – unless otherwise instructed by your doctor. If you are finding this particularly difficult, please contact your doctor or specialist nurse for further advice. You may move freely in bed, so long as you are not laying on your stomach. You may use pillows to help with your comfort, but take care that your neck remains in a stable position within the collar, and as flat as you are able to tolerate.
To get out of bed, it is recommended that you roll onto one side, bring your legs to the edge of the bed, and push up with your arms.
It is safe to shower during the time that you are advised to wear the collar, but this should be done with adequate precautions in place to avoid falls, such as:
You must wear the collar whilst in the shower, particularly as there is a high risk of slipping / falling, or of jerking / moving your neck in response to the water. Covering the collar with a thin waterproof material (such as cling film) may help to prevent it getting wet whilst you are washing your hair, or, you can remove, dry, and change the pads (using the methods described above) after you have finished showering.
Remember – it’s important that your collar remains completely dry for continuous wear.
No – as described above, your hard collar is designed to prevent the movements of your head and neck, which are required for safe driving and you will not be covered by the DVLA or your insurance company.
Wear clothing on the outside of your collar – the pads should be directly against your skin. Stretchy, loose clothing is recommended. Button up shirts may be easier for you to wear. Avoid pullover shirts and jumpers, as they are more difficult to get over your collar.
This will depend largely upon you and what sort of work you do.
It is usually safe to resume working at a desk as soon as you feel ready to do so, but please discuss with the clinician at your follow up appointment before resuming any manual work. We can provide an initial 'fitness to work' note, and further notes can be obtained from your GP if required.
Physiotherapy is not recommended until after your neck has healed. A clinician will review your condition at your follow up appointment, and recommendations or referrals can be made at this point. Most people do not routinely require physiotherapy. The neck muscles may initially feel weak or stiff after the doctor tells you that you can stop wearing the collar, but this usually recovers naturally.
If you experience any continuing weakness or a limited ability to move your neck, a physiotherapy review might be of benefit. Please contact your GP to arrange this.
Any wounds should be checked as part of your your daily skin checks. Recommendations for caring for this wound or stitch removal will have been given to you separately when you were discharged.
However, if you see any new discharge, redness or swelling from the wound, or find that the collar is causing irritation to the wound, please contact your doctor or specialist nurse for further advice.
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