Are you feeling pain in your neck? You could be wondering how to get relief from it. One tried and true method is a cervical collar. It gives support to the neck and back. If you are recovering from a neck injury or surgery, you may need to wear a cervical collar. In this article, we’ll talk about the Miami J Cervical Collar, its features and functionality, and how you use it.
Basically, it’s a neck brace that keeps the neck still while healing, allowing it to heal correctly. Cervical collars, also known as neck collars, are commonly used to stabilize the neck and prevent it from undergoing surgery. Although they look similar to other braces, cervical collars stand out for their horseshoe shape. Let’s get into the details about Miami J Cervical Collars.
Ossur Miami J Cervical Neck Collar
Miami J cervical collar is a medical device designed to limit the range of motion of the head and neck. When someone gets a head injury, they need a cervical collar so their neck stays straight. It’s also used in treating certain types of spinal injuries. The interior usually have padding, while the exterior is usually nylon, polyester, or a different fabric.
It’s supposed to fit around your neck and support your head with a strap behind your ears. It is suitable for use in either the supine or seated position. Cervical Collar is designed with both the patient and the practitioner in mind. You get the best and most comfortable fit with it. It’s so easy to customize and adjust to your needs.
Feature
Here are the main features that you will get from Miami J Cervical Collar.
- SorbatexTM padding restrains microbial growth and is clinically proven to improve comfort, so patients are more likely to be compliant.
- A bioengineered design minimizes pressure points near the chin, occiput, trapezius, and clavicle.
- The angle buttons for the occiput and sternal pad can be removed while supine, lying, or swallowing.
- MRI, CT and X-ray lucent, MR safe
- It comes in XS, Stout, Bariatric, Tall, Short, Super Short, Regular sizes.
Indication
A Cervical collar isn’t just something to put on whenever you want. Let’s look at what conditions to use it in.
- Post-trauma
- Stable cervical fractures
- Cervical spondylitis
- Cervical spondylosis
- RA and OA cervical spine
- Herniated cervical disc
- Post-operative
- Motor Neurone Disease
How to Use A Miami J Cervical Collar
It’s easy to put on a Miami J Cervical collar. But there’s a procedure to follow if you put it in the wrong way, it could mess things up even more.
Let’s look at the procedures.
Size
- Specific anatomical indicators can categorize different collar types.
- Sizing is crucial for comfort and proper fit and immobilization. Let’s see which size works best for which patients.
| Super Short | : If your patient has a kyphotic (chin-on-chest) neck. |
| Stout | : If your patient has a very large neck circumference. |
| Xs | : If your patient has a very short, thin neck. |
| Tall | : If your patient has a long tall neck |
| Regular | : If your patient is female |
| Short | : For all other adults. |
Size IT UP
Sizes of Miami J collars are determined by phenotype. Collar size is best determined when the head is in the desired alignment when the highest point of the trapezius is at the top of the chin. If it seems confusing to you, we are explaining it for your convenience.
- Measure the vertical chin-to-shoulder distance with your fingers.
- This measurement matches the distance from the top of the hook and loop strap to the bottom edge of the collar plastic on the collar.
A Few Sizing Tips
- When you’re deciding between two consecutive sizes, go for the smaller size first.
- Choose the largest size that allows you to maintain the desired treatment position while it fits comfortably.
- During surgery, it is important to fit operative patients to ensure proper sizing.
- When there is swollen skin and dressings after surgery, collar sizes may not be correctly identified.
- The Miami J’s front and backs are interchangeable. However, this is rarely necessary.
Usage Instructions (Supine/lying down)
- The collar needs to be placed by at least two individuals. The first to maintain the patient’s head and neck in proper alignment, the second to fit the collar.
- Get all of the pillows off the patient’s head. Ensure that the patient is correctly aligned with arms and shoulders to the side.
- The Back Piece should be positioned behind the patient’s neck and centered.
- Ensure that the blue SorbatexTM padding extends beyond the plastic edge.
- Make the sides of the Front flared, slide it across the chest wall, and scoop it up under the chin.
- The collar’s sides should be oriented toward the ears, off the shoulders.
- Hold the Front tightly while twisting it close to the patient’s neck. Attach the loop strap and hook to the opposite side of the collar in the same way. Tighten the straps alternately, one at a time, until the length is the same on both sides.
- Make sure the front and back part of the collars are aligned.
- Straps should be oriented “blue-on-blue” to the Front adhesive sections and aligned symmetrically. The Front blue adhesive areas should have equal amounts of extra hook and loop overhanging each other when the patient’s brace is fitted correctly. These may be trimmed.
- A proper collar application ensures proper fit, maintains alignment and prevents the chin from slipping in. If the person can slip their chin within the collar, it’s clear it’s not snug enough. It is almost impossible to wear a collar that’s too small.
Usage Instructions (While seated)
- Put your head in a neutral position (not looking up or down).
- Put the front portion of the collar under your chin.
- With the back panel on the head/neck, align the front panel with the centerline of the head/neck.
- Velcro needs to be fastened from the back panel to the front panel.
- The collar should be placed on a sitting or standing patient whenever possible.
Final Adjustment
Chin Support Positioning Guidelines
- Slide up to relieve chin tip pressure or discomfort.
- Slide down to relieve jaw/mandibular pressure or discomfort.
- For a patient with a heart-shaped face, set the Chin Support buttons to the top position.
- For a square face, put the Chin Support Buttons to the bottom position.
FINAL CHECKLIST
- Chin is centered comfortably in Chin Support. Chin should not extend over the edge of the Sorbatex™ pad nor fall inside the collar.
- Collar hook and loop straps turned blue-on-blue; both tabs are of the same length.
- Sides of the Back should be in line with the sides of the Front.
- The front of the collar is angled towards the ear. The lower edge of the plastic should not rest on the patient’s clavicles and not dig into his trapezius.
- There are no plastic touches on your skin with the SorbatexTM pads edges.
- The straps need to be snug so that there are no gaps or slack.
- If the collar is too close or too tight to the neck and doesn’t fit comfortably, choose a smaller size.
Cleaning and Maintenance
If the pads get dirty or damp, you should clean them. Make sure to note where each pad is found on the frame as you remove each pad. Take the pads out and wash them with mild detergent and warm water. Let it dry on a flat surface. Please make sure the pads are dry before reattaching them to the frame. You should never wash pads in the washing machine or dryer because they usually get damaged. Use rubbing alcohol or a damp cloth to clean up the plastic frame. That’s it for the cleaning process.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Should I drive wearing a Cervical Collar?
We strongly advise that you do not drive while wearing a Miami J collar since it is extremely dangerous. The Miami J collar, combined with stiffness and injury to the neck, makes driving unsafe because you’re restricted in movement and the scope of your vision is lowered. Driving while wearing a neck collar is not covered by any insurance company.
Should I sleep wearing a Cervical Collar?
When considering sleeping with a cervical collar on, the position of the neck is the most important part. One supportive pillow is recommended for sleeping. Wearing the collar, it’s important to watch out for changes in the skin on the back of the head and chin. Doing it the wrong way will do more harm; you will end up waking up with a sore neck.
Can I take a shower wearing a Cervical Collar?
Yes, you can. You’ll get one collar and two liners. Change the liners after you’re done with the shower and wear the collar. The best way to change collar-liners is to look into a mirror while standing up or sitting flat on the floor. After you shower, make sure you keep your head still while removing the wet collar. Apply the dry collar after drying your neck.
Is it safe to change the collar without assistance?
You need to keep your head still if you’re changing the collar on your own. An unexpected strain can result in substantial damage. However, you have to remember to hold the back piece while fitting the front piece and center both pieces, and secure them with the Velcro straps. In case there are any difficulties, you can seek further guidance from a nurse.
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