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Kinematic evaluation of 4 pediatric collars and distribution of cervical movement between primary and coupled angles
Ayman Assi1, Paul Yazbeck, Abir Massaad
1*Laboratory of Biomechanics, School of Medicine, PTS Campus of Innovation and Sport †Gait and Motion Analysis Laboratory, SESOBEL §Hôtel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, Lebanon ‡Laboratoire de Biomécanique, Arts et Métiers ParisTech, Paris, France.
Insights
Pediatric cervical collars effectively limit cervical range of motion (ROM) in children. The Necloc and Miami Jr collars demonstrated superior restriction compared to others, impacting movement planes differently when braced.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric orthopedics
- Biomechanics
- Motion analysis
Background:
- Cervical collars are used to restrict neck movement.
- Previous research on cervical collar effectiveness has primarily focused on adults.
- Limited data exists on pediatric cervical collar efficacy in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess how four pediatric cervical collars affect cervical range of motion (ROM).
- To evaluate the reduction in primary and coupled ROM in children using different collars.
- To compare the effectiveness of four specific pediatric collar designs.
Main Methods:
- Thirty asymptomatic children (aged 6-12 years) participated.
- A motion analysis system measured cervical spine ROM (flexion/extension, lateral bending, axial rotation).
- Four collars (Philadelphia, Miami Jr, Necloc, Hard Collar) were tested in braced and unbraced conditions, with normalized ROM analysis.
Main Results:
- All tested collars significantly reduced cervical ROM compared to the unbraced state.
- Necloc and Miami Jr collars showed significantly greater ROM restriction than Philadelphia and Hard Collar.
- Significant differences in normalized ROM were observed between braced/unbraced conditions and among the different collars.
Conclusions:
- Necloc and Miami Jr collars provide the most significant limitation of cervical motion in children.
- The way movement is distributed between primary and coupled planes changes when using cervical collars.
- Pediatric cervical collar choice impacts the degree and pattern of cervical ROM restriction.
Background:
Primary and coupled angle restrictions, when neck collars are used, have been investigated mainly in adults and not yet in children.
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficiency of 4 pediatric collars in reducing cervical range of motion (ROM) in primary and coupled planes.
Methods:
Thirty asymptomatic children (16 boys and 14 girls) aged 6 to 12 years participated in the study. A motion analysis system was used to evaluate the ROM of the cervical spine during flexion/extension, left and right lateral bending, and left and right axial rotation. Primary and coupled ROM were evaluated in unbraced and braced conditions. Four cervical collars were tested: Philadelphia, Miami Jr, Necloc, and the conventional Hard Collar. Thirteen subjects were tested 2 times to evaluate the repeatability of the parameters. The ROM in each plane was normalized to the sum of the ROM in the 3 planes, for each movement, to estimate the percentage of the movement in each plane (normalized ROM), in braced and unbraced conditions. The analysis of variance and post hoc Benferroni tests were applied on raw and normalized ROM.
Results:
ROM collected in collars showed a significant difference compared with the unbraced condition. ROM obtained in Necloc and Miami Jr showed a significant difference compared with Philadelphia and conventional Hard Collar. The primary plane is activated at 80% during flexion-extension and left-right axial rotation; however, 55% of the total movement was completed in the frontal plane during left-right lateral bending in unbraced condition. Statistical differences in the normalized ROM were found between the braced and unbraced conditions and among collars.
Conclusions:
Necloc and Miami Jr presented the highest limitation of movement in the primary and secondary planes. The distribution strategy of a movement, between primary and coupled angles, is different between the braced and unbraced conditions.
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