Cervical collars superior in immobilization and reduction of pressure

Ossur, an emerging leader in the non-invasive orthopaedics market following several acquisitions and a period of integration, has announced that the Journal of Trauma has published the long-awaited results of a two year cervical collar study performed by the Mayo Clinic.

The study, “Range-of-Motion Restriction and Craniofacial Tissue – Interface Pressure from Four Cervical Collars,” finds that Ossur's products – the Miami J and Philadelphia collars - are superior in immobilization and the reduction of pressure, the two most critical factors in determining product for successful trauma patient outcomes.

The Study:

The Mayo Clinic study addressed the ongoing concern that occipital pressure ulcers are well-known complications for trauma patients wearing cervical collars, and assessed the effects of four commercial cervical collars: Aspen, Philadelphia, Miami J, and Miami J with Occian back on cervical range motion (CROM) and mandibular and occipital tissue-interface pressure (TIP).

Background:

Cervical spine immobilization in major trauma patients is routinely carried out to minimize the potential of secondary spinal cord injury. Although cervical injury is detected in only 5 to 10% of unconscious blunt trauma patients, the objective of preventing serious neurological injury necessitates the initiation of spinal precautions in all such patients before cervical spine clearance. Failure to achieve early spinal clearance predisposes the patient to increased morbidity secondary to extended immobilization. Trauma represents 11.4% of non-pediatric and non-maternity hospital admissions. Importantly, restrictive collars are the root causes of skin breakdown in the trauma population. As pressure-ulcers are among the most common, yet serious and costly, complications of routine spinal immobilization, these findings are significant, and factors to be considered when determining the appropriate collar for a patient. It is estimated that pressure ulcers cost $20,000US per incident.

Study Findings:

While all collars significantly restricted CROM in all planes, the Philadelphia and the Miami J were found to be the most restrictive. The Aspen collar was the least restrictive for flexion and rotation. The Miami J and the Miami J/Occian back had the lowest levels of mandibular and occipital pressure. The study's conclusions state that Ossur's collars may markedly reduce the risk of occipital pressure ulcers without compromising immobilization.

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