Vertebral compression fracture
Depending on the location of the injury, spinal fractures can be cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal. For neck fractures, special orthopedic collars are used as fixators. Due to the anatomical features of the structure, compression fractures of the coccygeal and sacral regions are practically never encountered in practice. For the most clinically common compression fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine, orthopedic corsets are used.
Advice from a medical expert on choosing neck braces
The cervical spine is characterized by both greater mobility and increased vulnerability.
This is explained by the fact that the cervical spine holds the head in its natural position, as well as the specific anatomical structure of the section. In this area of the spinal column, injuries and pathologies are diagnosed much more often than in all others. Complex therapy usually includes wearing a fixing bandage or bandage (orthosis, cervical collar, splint). With the help of a neck brace, the joint structures are securely fixed, which guarantees immobility of the cervical spine. However, in order for the bandage to truly justify its purpose, it is necessary to initially select the optimal product model. Otherwise, instead of benefit, this device will only cause harm.
The effect of wearing spinal corsets
A corset allows a person with a spinal fracture to move independently. It also provides stabilization and decompression effects:
- performs support functions;
- keeps the spine in a physiological position;
- eliminates axial load on damaged elements of the spinal column, back muscles, intervertebral discs and nerves;
- helps relieve pain, spasms and numbness of the limbs;
- promotes bone tissue restoration.
In addition, the device prevents the progression of pathology and improper fusion.
What are the indications for wearing a bandage?
The bandage is in demand for the following diagnoses:
- cervical spine injury;
- narrowing of the intervertebral canal;
- intervertebral hernia;
- osteochondrosis.
Visually, a neck brace resembles a collar, providing static fixation to the cervical region. It relieves excess stress from the vertebrae, maintains them in an optimal position and stimulates the strengthening of the muscles that are located around this area of the spine. Thanks to the bandage, muscle tone gradually decreases, blood flow is activated, and pain becomes less.
How to wear and choose a Shants collar?
The method and mode of wearing is determined by the doctor. Usually, outside of an exacerbation, it is recommended to wear a collar only while working or reading. The duration of harmless wearing is about 2 hours a day. This is enough to “warm up” and relieve the neck. The effect of the collar is complemented by sleeping on orthopedic pillows. They also relieve stress on the neck during sleep and, in combination with collars, give quick and noticeable results. In case of exacerbations of the disease, longer neck fixation is prescribed for several days - up to 12 hours a day.
A good Shants collar must meet a number of requirements. First, it must be certified. This guarantees its safety when worn and in contact with the skin (poor collars can cause allergies and release harmful substances). Secondly, it must be suitable in size and purpose. All products at Medtechnika Ortosalon undergo strict testing and certification. We have a wide selection of high-quality and effective soft, semi-rigid and rigid neck braces. Experienced consultants are ready to help with choosing the appropriate type and size of collar for osteochondrosis.
What types of neck braces are there?
On sale: in pharmacies, online stores, and orthopedic goods stores there are several types of neck braces. They differ in materials of manufacture, dimensions (for an adult or for a child), level of rigidity and design features.
Each individual case has a specific type of neck brace. The prescription is issued by the attending physician. An incorrectly chosen model can cause harm to health.
One of the common types of neck brace is the Shantsa Splint. Depending on the type of fixation, it is:
| Neck bandage ORTO ShVN | Neck bandage ORTO ShVV | Bandage for the cervical spine ORLETT BN6-53 |
- Soft and semi-hard. Such bandages easily take the shape of the curves of the neck. Foamed hypoallergenic polyurethane is used to make the base.
- Tough. This is a plastic tire, covered with a fabric that is pleasant to the touch and equipped with a recess for the larynx in the front.
- Most models of bandages are fastened with Velcro, which makes it easy to remove and put on the product.
The size range of the Shantz splint will allow you to choose a retainer for both an adult and a child. The product firmly fixes the vertebrae and normalizes blood flow in the neck, brain and head tissues. Thanks to this, unpleasant symptoms gradually decrease.
Elimination of pathologies of the neck and cervical spine is far from the only area of application for Shants collars. This type of bandage is often useful for older people and for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle - in such cases, the bandage prevents problems with the spine.
The Shantz splint does not always guarantee the desired result, and then the doctor may prescribe a Philadelphia bandage.
The Philadelphia bandage is prescribed for the following pathologies:
| ORLETT orthosis for the cervical spine with a strong degree of fixation |
- displacement of the cervical vertebrae;
- excessive mobility of the cervical spine;
- cervical radiculopathy;
- stable cervical fractures.
The Philadelphia bandage is also worn during the recovery period after cervical surgery.
According to its design features, the Philadelphia bandage is a splint that rests on the patient’s shoulders. Its upper part is responsible for supporting the lower jaw and the back of the head. Such clamps do not allow the neck to bend and unbend, and the vertebrae cannot move under any circumstances.
In Philadelphia bandages, there are back and front halves, which are connected to each other with fasteners (usually Velcro).
These models look like neck corsets. However, they are also equipped with holes for installing tracheostomies - after all, cervical spine operations often involve the installation of tubes inside the trachea.
Philadelphia products do not interfere with examinations such as MRI or X-ray. They are made from low-weight wear-resistant materials - foamed hypoallergenic polyurethanes. They do not contain latex. Due to the use of polyurethane, the mass of the bandages is 120 grams maximum, and the surface of the skin under them does not fog up. It is comfortable to sleep and take water procedures in such orthopedic products.
What kind of corset is needed for a compression fracture of the spine?
Immediately after the injury, the patient is given a fixing plaster bandage. A week after a spinal fracture, it can be replaced with a rigid fixation corset. Reinforced bandages made of elastic medical textiles perform the same functions as plaster, but are much lighter, more mobile and more comfortable to wear. They do not restrict movement, do not interfere with breathing and are invisible under clothing.
Thoracolumbar corset with stiffeners
Metal or polyurethane stiffeners stably fix the spine. The degree of fixation and the number of stiffeners are different; these parameters of the product are selected by the doctor depending on the nature of the injury. For complex fractures, plastic models are used.
Plastic corset
Rigid fixing corsets eliminate muscle hypertonicity and provide conditions for normal blood circulation and tissue metabolism. They are made to individual measurements in specialized workshops or sold ready-made.
What nuances matter when choosing a product?
First of all, when choosing a product, you need to rely on your doctor’s recommendations.
The Philadelphia bandage is worn strictly as prescribed by a medical specialist. We do not recommend taking measurements yourself to select such a bandage.
If we are talking about a Shants tire, then taking measurements on your own is quite acceptable, but to do this you must strictly follow the rules.
When purchasing an orthopedic product, you must make sure that the material it is made of is hypoallergenic and washable. This must be stated in plain text on the packaging. You also need to make sure that the fasteners of the product are in working order.
How to recognize
Arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae is accompanied by dull, aching pain, usually one-sided, which intensifies with movement. Patients complain of morning pain. Unpleasant sensations originate in the neck area, and then move to the shoulder blades and arms, the syndrome intensifies with palpation.
Other characteristic symptoms of the disease are:
- paroxysmal dizziness or migraine;
- decreased range of head movement due to pain (for example, a person can tilt their head 45-50°);
- crunching when moving the neck;
- specific sounds in the ears;
- visual impairment;
- pain in the chest area;
- numbness in the lower part of the face.
At later stages, against the background of a total lack of synovial fluid in the joints, deformities of the spinal column appear, and systemic hypertension can also develop - an unexplained increase in blood pressure. If the disease is complicated by radicular symptoms, such as a pinched nerve, its form is diagnosed - uncovertebral arthrosis. It is not easy to recognize the disease on your own: based on its symptoms, it can easily be confused with a pathology of the cardiovascular system or brain.
Symptoms of arthrosis of the cervical vertebrae are not at all typical for diseases of the musculoskeletal system
How not to make a mistake with the dimensions of the bandage?
The Shants splint is selected by measuring the patient’s neck with a regular measuring tape. You only need to find out two parameters:
- Neck height. It is defined as the distance from the extreme point of the lower jaw to the middle of the collarbone.
- Neck circumference. It is equal to the circumference of the patient's neck.
| Neck circumference, cm | 20-32 | 20-32 | 20-32 | 20-32 | 30-35 | 35-45 | 30-35 | 35-45 | 30-35 | 35-45 | 30-35 | 35-45 |
| Neck height, cm | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Both of these values are compared with those indicated in the table developed by the bandage manufacturer.
Shantsa splint - support in the treatment and prevention of cervical diseases
The Shantz splint is an orthopedic cervical collar-bandage used for prevention purposes, as well as for the treatment of muscles and ligaments of the upper spine, in the presence of acute and chronic diseases. The uniqueness of this orthosis is that it is able to fix the neck in its normal physiological position, taking into account the anatomical structure.
Possibilities of Shants orthopedic collars.
1. Improve blood circulation in joints, muscles, and brain.
2. Completely relieve or significantly reduce muscle tension.
3. Reduce skull pressure on the upper spine.
4. Limit rotation, flexion-extension of the neck, thereby unloading the muscles of the cervical spine.
5. They have warming and massage effects.
6. Fixation, stabilization and support of the cervical spine.
7. Relieving muscle spasm.
When to use the Shin Shants cervical orthosis in adults.
1. Post-traumatic or postoperative rehabilitation of the cervical spine.
2. Deforming arthrosis of the upper spinal column.
3. Headaches and dizziness caused by spasms of the neck muscles.
4. Cervical osteochondrosis and arthrosis, problems of cervical intervertebral discs (hernias, protrusions, instability), scoliosis.
5. Myositis with various causes, neurological pain.
6. Humeroscapular periarthritis.
7. Spinal cord compression syndrome.
8. Poor posture.
9. Chin fat deposits.
Indications for the use of a soft head holder (Schanz collar) in children.
1. Birth cranial-spinal injury and cerebrovascular accident in newborns.
2. Congenital deformity of the neck (muscular torticollis). Rehabilitation after surgery to correct torticollis.
3. Moderate disorders of the ligamentous apparatus and muscle function of the cervical spine. Myositis, bruises, rotational subluxations of the 1st and 2nd vertebrae.
4. Incorrect head position in mild forms of cerebral palsy.
5. Preservation of correction results after procedures: physiotherapy, exercise therapy, massage.
6. Pain and radicular syndromes in osteochondrosis and spondyloarthrosis.
In newborns, the Shants soft bandage should be used only as prescribed by a doctor! Its improper use can lead to atrophy of the neck muscles. In addition to the above indications, its wearing is prescribed (wearing time is determined by the doctor) for such complex conditions as:
- hyperexcitability;
- depression of the central nervous system;
- movement disorders;
- short neck syndrome.
The use of a children's cervical orthosis provides:
— restrained fixation of the cervical spine and head;
— unloading of the muscular-ligamentous apparatus of the neck and cervical vertebrae;
- protection of the neck from overexertion;
- rest and warming mode.
Shants collar release forms.
The correct selection of an orthopedic collar promotes rapid recovery and helps to quickly restore normal muscle tone.
Categories (sizes) of Shantsa tires are: classic and universal for adults, children and children under one year old.
For adults, orthopedic collars are produced with hard, medium and soft fixation of the cervical spine. They are selected according to the circumference of the necks (from 30 to 46 cm) and height (from 8 to 12 cm).
Children's cervical orthoses are selected taking into account the size, weight and age of the child. Before buying a splint, you should measure the circumference of your neck and the height from the lower jaw to the middle part of the collarbone.
For newborns, the collar height should be 3-5 cm.
It is important to remember that the time to wear the collar is determined by an orthopedic doctor, and for the correct selection of this device, it is best to contact a specialized orthopedic store.
How to put on and how long to wear the Shants orthopedic collar.
Step 1
. Sizing.
To do this, measure the distance from the angle of the lower jaw to the middle of the collarbone and the circumference of the neck. The height of the collar should match the length of the neck.
Step 2.
Putting on an orthopedic splint.
The skin of the neck should be dry and clean. The chin is placed in the notch on the upper edge of the splint. Using a clasp located at the back, it is secured to the neck, then check how well it is secured. The orthosis should only be worn on the naked body, and not on clothing.
When putting on the Shants collar, there should not be strong pressure and a feeling of compression, pinching of blood vessels, or dizziness. To check that it is put on correctly, place a finger under the fixed collar. If the finger passes, then the tire is put on correctly. An orthopedic specialist will tell you how to maintain an optimal balance of fixation and circulation of blood vessels.
A well-chosen collar in height should: in the back - at the bottom touch the collar area, and at the top reach the base of the skull; in the front - the bottom rests on the clavicle bone, and the top supports the lower jaw. When the collar is put on correctly, there should be no possibility of tilting the head or throwing it back. The effect of wearing may be enhanced if you perform a light massage of the neck area before attaching it.
Recommendations from orthopedists regarding the time of wearing the Shants collar - therapy should last no > 3 - 4 hours in a row. When going to bed with such a medical device, it is better to use a special orthopedic pillow. If the splint is not used constantly, it is preferable to wear it during various loads (for example, cleaning up the house). Depending on the severity of the patient’s condition, treatment with a neck brace can last from 1 month to six months.
You should follow the rules for caring for your tire: if necessary, wash with detergents in cold water, rinse thoroughly, dry flat, away from thermal appliances.
The Shants collar is a noteworthy invention that allows one to resist many diseases. Wearing such an orthopedic device brings tangible help to diseased blood vessels, joints, and muscles.
Treatment of arthrosis of the cervical spine
As a rule, people turn to a rheumatologist with an acute form of the disease, so the primary goals of therapy are as follows:
- eliminate pain syndrome;
- stop inflammation;
- eliminate pinching of the nerve endings of the spinal trunk.
In addition, for the normal functioning of the vertebrae, it is necessary to restore the destroyed cartilage fibers of the discs, and for this, increase blood circulation in the damaged tissues.
Therapeutic methods
1. Medication.
NSAIDs are used to relieve pain and inflammation, and chondroprotectors are used to regenerate cartilage tissue. Blood circulation and nutrition of affected tissues can be normalized with the help of vasodilator drugs. Muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms.
2. Physiotherapeutic.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is auxiliary in nature and is aimed at accelerating metabolism in tissues. Most often, with this diagnosis, manual therapy, magnetic and acupuncture therapy, phonophoresis, and infrared radiation are prescribed.
Without exercise therapy or yoga, treatment for neck arthrosis will not be complete
If medications do not help and there is a possibility of vertebral artery syndrome, surgery is prescribed for uncoarthrosis of the cervical vertebrae. It involves removing and replacing the damaged joint with an endoprosthesis.
In order not to harm your neck with arthrosis and help it, practice, for example, the following morning exercises:
