Is Neck Brace Necessary To Wear For Mild Cervical Spine Injury?

Posted on Tue, 19 Apr 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 Answered on

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : 2 1/2 weeks ago i was in an auto accident - t-boned - car spun around and ended up facing oncoming traffic - fortunately I was not hit again - spent 5 days in the hospital - injuries: C6 cervical neck bone has a crack - not a break - spine not compromised at this time - sent home with a neck brace - how important is it to keep the neck brace secure at all times? - could you please provide insight into my injury - potential dangers - prognosis

Answered by Dr. Ishu Bishnoi (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Prognosis and care of cervical injury

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX, thanks for asking from HCM.

I can understand your concern. It is good that your spinal canal was not compromised at all and you had crack only. I need more information about site of crack like whether it is involving cervical body or spinous process or lamina? If you can send me picture of your X ray cervical spine, it would be more helpful.

From your current information, I can understand that you have been prescribed neck brace for

" Management of neck pain and promote healing by immobilising spine".

You had mild cervical spine injury, non dangerous type. It is called so as your spinal canal was spared and crack did not lead to spine instability. Potential danger of cervical crack can be

: Non healing and persistence of pain
: Sudden jerk on neck can cause full blown fracture from crack. It can involve spinal canal and spinal cord or nerve. It can cause spinal instability, weakness of hands and both lower limbs along with bladder and bowel function loss.
: Cervical muscle atrophy due to disuse
: Torticollis due to neck muscle spasm

There is very little chance of above dangers ( <3%).

For healing of crack, immobilization is needed to promote "callus (bone healing) formation". Neck brace helps in it. It should be ideally not used beyond 4 weeks. As after using it more than 4 weeks, it can cause cervical spine muscle atrophy and loss of flexibility. So my advise it to keep it only upto 4 weeks and strict immobilization.

Consult your doctor and get X ray cervical spine after 4 weeks to confirm healing of crack. You have to start neck muscle exercise both stretching and load bearing to regain muscle strength.

Hope it will help you. If still in doubt, kindly let me know .

Thanks. Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee