Study on Orthosis in Cervical Spine Fracture Treatment

Background and Purpose: Neck fractures affect over 1,100 people in Sweden each year, with the majority being frail older adults. Most neck fractures are stable and therefore treated without surgery, typically using a rigid collar. However, the collar only limits neck movement by 40-50% and can cause pressure sores, as well as difficulties with swallowing and breathing. Because of these issues, the latest Swedish national guidelines for pre-hospital and hospital spinal motion restriction have replaced the rigid collar with other methods. This raises the question of whether the rigid collar still has a role in the modern treatment of stable neck fractures. The aim of this study is to determine whether treatment with or without a rigid collar leads to equally good healing outcomes. Method: All adults diagnosed with a stable neck fracture deemed suitable for non-surgical treatment will b