Schanz collar: application, indications and contraindications
The Schanz orthopaedic collar is an orthosis that stabilises the cervical spine. It is mainly used after injuries or accidents to prevent more serious degenerative damage to the cervical regions and spinal cord and to reduce pain resulting from potential damage to the joints and muscles in the neck
Why is the Schanz collar so called?
In the 19th century, German physician Alfred Schanz created an elementary structure to fix the cervical spine in an anatomically correct position.
For this purpose, he took a piece of twisted medical cotton and wrapped it in a cloth, after which a simple device was tied around the neck to support the head and help relax the neck muscles.
Nowadays, this design is called the ‘collar (or bus) of Schanz’.
Its purpose is to secure the cervical vertebrae and prevent further deformation.
Features of the Schanz orthopaedic collar
The Schanz collar is anatomically designed so that the emphasis on the lower jaw is uniform.
Its edges are soft and meticulously finished so as not to crush or cause discomfort during use.
The brace closes with Velcro at the back.
It can be easily adjusted, as the fastener has a wide range of adjustment for the flange circumference.
The fabric covering the polyurethane foam, which fills the product, feels pleasant against the skin and is breathable.
Schanz Collar – indications for use
There are several indications for wearing a bandage of this type.
The use of an orthopaedic collar is especially recommended for:
- Spinal injuries or suspected injuries.
- Contusions and dislocations of the intervertebral joints.
- Need for post-operative fixation – for rehabilitation purposes.
- Surgical treatment of injuries to the jaw.
- Acute or chronic pain syndrome of the neck.
- Curvature of the cervical vertebrae.
- Vertigo, persistent headache, migraine.
- Myositis (idiopathic inflammatory myopathies).
- Neck and shoulder neuralgia, rheumatic pain or stiffness of the neck muscles.
- Diseases of the cervical spine (degenerative changes due to discopathy, scoliosis or mechanical injuries).
- Risk of posture deformation due to chronic diseases of the cervical spine.
The orthopaedic collar stabilises the neck joints and reduces sudden head movements that can aggravate the injury.
In this way, the head is stabilised and adequately strengthened on both sides.
The orthopaedic doctor decides on the necessity of its use.
Contraindications to the use of the Schanz collar
There are groups of patients who should avoid any traction of the cervical spine, including the use of an orthopaedic brace.
These are persons suffering from the following diseases
- osteoporosis
- instability or excessive mobility of the spine;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- recent injuries to the neck or surrounding area
- implants in the neck (e.g. screws screwed in during surgery)
- stenosis or atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries;
- infections of the bone tissue of the vertebrae;
- tumours in the neck.
Furthermore, a Schanz collar cannot be worn in the case of carotid sinus syndrome (hypersensitivity of the receptors of the carotid arteries).
People with this condition may even faint when shaving or pressing lightly on certain areas of the neck.
Duration of cervical collar
The orthopaedic collar must be worn for the period indicated by the treating physician.
The duration depends on the condition of the spinal column and the reason why a cervical brace is needed.
However, the average application time is approximately 6 weeks.
This time also takes into account fractures that allow the cervical spine to gradually free itself from support, which, in turn, allows the vertebrae and neck muscles to function correctly and, above all, independently.
At first, wear the collar once or twice a day for 10-15 minutes and do not exert excessive pressure.
Only after getting used to it, you can apply it 2-3 times a day for 30-40 minutes.
Then you can also increase the pressure a little, but without tightening it too much.
The collar is primarily designed to improve comfort.
The collar can be left on when going to bed.
However, while sleeping with an orthopaedic neck brace, it is worth considering the purchase of a medical orthopaedic pillow, which ensures a correct and optimal position of the spine.
The Schanz collar should not be used for too long (more than 4 hours a day), as it can cause reduced blood supply to the brain and atrophy of the neck muscles (muscle weakness)
Therapy must be discontinued if significant discomfort, increasing pain in the neck and occiput, nausea, severe dizziness or other alarming symptoms occur.
However, some discomfort resulting from pressure of the splint on the lower jaw should not lead to discontinuation of therapy if it is mild and well tolerated by the patient.
How to choose the size of the Schanz orthopaedic collar?
The size of the Schanz collar must be chosen on a purely individual basis, depending on the anatomical structure of the neck.
To correctly choose the size of the collar, simply measure the circumference of the neck and its height from the protruding clavicle bone (in an adult it is usually 10-12 cm).
Based on this, it will be possible to choose an ideal product version in both width and height, because the collar should not lift the chin, but only act as a support.
The sizes of the collars are indicated in the same way as the clothes: XS, S, M, L, XL, where XS is the smallest collar and XL is the largest.
It is not advisable to choose an orthopaedic corset yourself, so as not to make mistakes.
When purchasing, you should consult a specialist who will help you choose the correct size of splint for best treatment results.
At what age can the Schanz splint be used?
The soft fixation splint made of hypoallergenic material is very often prescribed as a treatment or prophylaxis even for new-born babies – after a difficult birth, with muscular torticollis syndrome and other conditions.
The size range for smaller patients depends on the length of the neck (mostly 3-7 cm).
The duration of use is approximately 2 months.
How to keep the Schanz Collar clean?
For patients using long-acting products that come into direct contact with the skin, such as neck collars, it is very important to keep them properly clean.
If necessary, they can be washed by hand in water at a temperature not exceeding 30 ᵒC.
The bandage should not be wrung out or dried in a washing machine.
Squeezing it lightly with water is best left unwrapped to allow it to dry freely.
The product must be completely dry before use.
The orthosis may not be ironed.
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