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How effective is the Newport/Aspen collar? A prospective radiographic evaluation in healthy adult volunteers

Hughes, Steven J. (1998) How effective is the Newport/Aspen collar? A prospective radiographic evaluation in healthy adult volunteers. The Journal of Trauma: Injury, Infection, and Critical Care, 45 (2). pp. 374-378. ISSN 1079-6061. (doi:10.1097/00005373-199808000-00030) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:17828)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00005373-199808000-00030

Abstract

Background: Cervical extrication collars are used in the evacuation of the injured to minimize secondary injury. These collars were designed for extrication and evacuation, not for longterm use, and complications have been reported when they have been used in the rehabilitation phase. The Newport/Aspen collar was designed specifically for long-term use.

Methods: Using a radiographic method, the effectiveness of the collar in restricting motion was evaluated for the cervical spine as a whole and for constituent segments, occiput to C7, in 15 normal volunteers.

Results: Combined flexion-extension was reduced from mean 98.8 to 31.1 degrees (31.5% of normal; p = 0.000000002), lateral bending was reduced from mean 31.1 to 15.9 degrees (51.1% of normal; p = 0,0000001), and overhead rotation was reduced from mean 64.6 to 26.8 degrees (41% of normal; p 0,000000002), The cervical spine, however, does not move as one unit; paradoxical motion, the phenomenon of "snaking," occurs. Goniometric techniques do not demonstrate this effect. Data are provided for motion by segmental level.

Conclusion: Full cervical immobilization is a myth. It would seem logical to match the level-specific efficacy of the device to the level of injury. Data are provided for the Aspen collar.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1097/00005373-199808000-00030
Additional information: 11th Annual Meeting of the Eastern-Association-for-the-Surgery-of-Trauma SANIBEL, FLORIDA, JAN 14-17, 1998
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research
Depositing User: R.F. Xu
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2009 20:09 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:56 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/17828 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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