Using Your Cervical Orthosis (Brace) at Home
(Aspen, PMT, Philadelphia, Soft Collar)
Purpose of the Cervical Orthosis
Your cervical orthosis (brace) helps you control your neck posture, reduces pain, prevents further injury, and promotes healing
Philadelphia (Philly) Collar
Wearing your Brace
Your brace should reduce or prevent unwanted motion in your neck. It should be uncomfortable when you begin moving into positions you should avoid. By changing your movements (i.e. turning your head and chest together in the direction you want to look), you should be able to do many normal activities by yourself or with a little help from caregivers or assistive devices. Ask your doctor for exact guidelines or restrictions.
Preparing for your trip home
Arrange for someone to drive you. Bend at your hip and knees to keep your head, neck and back straight when getting into and out of a car.
Taking off and putting on your Brace
You will need help to remove the collar. You must be lying flat. Your helper should undo the Velcro straps and remove the front of the collar. Once the front of the collar is off, you must keep your head and neck still. Your helper should change the front pads before removing the back of collar. Your helper should help you keep your head still while gently sliding the back of the collar out from behind your head. Your helper can then change the back pads and slide collar back into place while holding your head still. Your orthotist and/or therapist will show you how to do this. The back piece overlaps the front of the PMT collar.
Showering/bathing
If your doctor says it is okay to shower, you must wear your collar to shower.
If you were fitted with a collar before you came to the hospital (or in the emergency room) and still have it (a beige-colored collar known as a "Philly Collar"), you can wear it to shower. It is made of closed-cell foam that does not absorb water. Change back to your regular collar after the shower.
You will have two sets of pads. If you shower in the PMT collar, change to a dry set of pads after your shower. Change the pads one at a time to avoid being confused as to which pad goes where.
Sleeping in the Brace
Most patients wear the brace full time, taking it off only at the end of treatment. Your doctor will tell you if you can take off your brace while sleeping (or lying down). Any major changes in your condition may result in your doctor changing his instructions to you during the course of your treatment.
Cleaning the outside of the Brace
Wipe off the outside with a damp or soapy cloth, and then dry. The straps can air dry while the brace is being worn.
Cleaning the inside of the Brace
Remove the pads that are attached by Velcro®. Put in a new or clean set of pads. Wash the soiled pads in mild soap, rinse well and air dry. Do not leave them to soak. Do not use heat to dry them.
Shaving
If you shave your face, it is best to have someone help you to shave. It is a well-trained habit to move your head and neck while shaving. For years, you have tilted your head back to shave your neck. You must not do that now. Remove collar as above and shave while lying flat. If someone else shaves you, you can focus on keeping your head still. Your helper can also help to hold your head still.
Daily Activities
- Eating and drinking will be awkward at first, as you can't look down at your plate or tilt your head back to drink. Use a straw to drink, raise your table or use a low chair to get your plate as high as possible. Tuck a napkin or towel under your chin (between chin and collar) to catch spills.
- Shirts that button are easier to get on and off than t-shirts.
- Use caution when going down stairs, as it is hard to look down. Stand at the top of the stairs, hold the handrail, and bend at the waist to look down the stairs to make sure your path is clear. If you are also wearing a TLSO (“turtle shell” or “clam shell”), you will be more top-heavy than before, so be careful bending. Hold the handrail at all times, above all when going down stairs.
- You also need to be careful when walking on any uneven surface, or sidewalks that may have sudden changes due to roots raising some squares. Be very careful if it may be icy, since you may not be able to see a patch of ice.
- While you are here in the hospital and in bed, ask visitors to come up to the head of the bed to talk to you. They may not know that you can't turn your head to look at them or see them when they are at the foot of the bed.
How long do I need to wear the Brace?
Your doctor will decide how long you need to wear your brace. You must take care to follow your doctor’s advice even if you feel better and would like to stop wearing it sooner. Your doctor will check your progress and will decide what is in your best long-term interest.
What should I do if my neurological symptoms get worse?
If you have more numbness, tingling, pain or are less able to move or do daily activities, call your doctor.
Patients of the neurosurgery clinic: please call (608) 263-1410.
Patients of the orthopedic rehabilitation spine clinic: please call (608) 265-3207.
After hours, nights, weekends, and holidays, this will give you the paging operator. Ask for the resident on call for your clinic. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, please call 1-800-323-8942, ask for your clinic.
The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6714.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 09/01/2011
Copyright © 05/21/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5409
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