A guide for patients and families

How to use your Aspen Vista collar

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Table of contents

Introduction .................................................................................................... Page 4

Clothing ........................................................................................................... Page 6

Diet and eating ............................................................................................... Page 6

Skin care ........................................................................................................... Page 6

Sleeping ........................................................................................................... Page 7

Cleaning your collar ...................................................................................... Page 7

Putting on the collar ..................................................................................... Page 8

Bathing ............................................................................................................. Page 12

Hair washing ................................................................................................... Page 12

Caring for your wound ................................................................................. Page 13

Activity .............................................................................................................. Page 13

Follow-up ......................................................................................................... Page 14

When to call your doctor ............................................................................. Page 14

Special instructions ....................................................................................... Page 15

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Introduction

Your doctor has said that wearing an Aspen Vista collar will help your neck to heal. The Aspen Vista collar will keep your neck straight and will support the bones in your neck. This is a stiff collar that has front and back pieces that fasten together with Velcro.

The collar must be worn at all times unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Front view

Chin piece

Front piece

Height Adjustment Dial

Back piece

Velcro straps

Collar pads

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Side view

Collar padsChin piece

Front piece

Height Adjustment Dots

Velcro straps

Height Adjustment Dial

Back panel

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Clothing

Avoid wearing pullover shirts and sweaters. They are harder to get over your head and around the collar. Button up shirts may be easier for you to wear.

Always wear clothing on the outside of your collar. The pads on the collar should be directly against the skin.

Diet and eating

It is easier to eat soft or smaller pieces of food. If you had surgery it is normal to have a mild sore throat and some problems swallowing solid foods. This discomfort may last for a few days to several weeks. Let your doctor know if you have serious trouble swallowing.

Skin care

Keep your skin clean and dry. The skin should be checked for redness or open areas everyday. You may need someone to help you remove your collar to do this.

• See instructions on page 7 before you remove the collar. Pay close attention to skin under the chin, on the back of the head, shoulders, and collar bones.

• Do not use lotions, powders, or oils on your skin under the collar. These can build up on the pads and cause skin breakdown.

• If skin breakdown occurs call your family doctor.

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Sleeping

Do not sleep on your stomach. You may sleep in any other comfortable position as long as your collar is securely in place. To get out of bed, roll onto one side, bring your legs over the edge of the bed, and then push up with your arms to sit up.

Cleaning your collar

Clean your collar when visibly dirty or if it smells. This will help prevent skin irritation and sores.

How to clean your collar

You will need:

• 2nd set of collar pads

• Warm water

• Mild soap

1. Remove pads from the collar.

2. Attach 2nd set of pads to the collar.

3. Wash dirty pads with mild soap and warm water only.

4. Air dry pads on a flat surface (usually 6 to 8 hours).

If the plastic areas are dirty, wipe with a cloth using mild soap and warm water. Replace the pads if they become frayed or start to separate. An extra set of pads will be given to you upon discharge.

  Collar pads

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Putting on the collar

There are two ways to put on the collar: lying down or sitting up. Your doctor will tell you which way is best for you. The collar has a front panel and a back panel (see page 4 and 5). Make sure you put the collar on as shown in the pictures.

Do not touch the height adjustment dial. The correct position has been chosen for you already.

Lying down method (2 people needed)1. Lie down flat on your back without a pillow.

2. Do not move your head or neck.

3. Have your partner remove the Velcro straps at each side.

4. Have your partner remove the front piece of the collar.

5. Have your partner remove the old pads, one at a time, and replace them with new and dry pads.

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The pads have a white and grey side. The grey side attaches to the Velcro dots on the inside of the plastic part on the collar. Make sure all plastic edges of the collar are covered by a pad. The pads should rest approximately 1 centimetre below all plastic edges.

6. Place the front piece of the collar on your chin so it meets the front edge of the chin rest.

7. Keep your neck still. Have your family or friend slide the back panel from under you neck. Have them remove the old pads and replace them with the extra set of new, dry pads. Have them remove the old pads.

8. Have a family member or friend slide the back piece back under your neck from the side, never from the top of your head down.

9. Bring the back piece forward until the green/grey pads on the back piece overlap the side panels on the front piece.

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10. Attach the straps on the back piece to the Velcro strips on the front piece.

11. Have your family or friend tighten the straps, one at a time until they are the same length on both sides. The collar should fit tightly. You should be able to fit two fingers between your collar and your neck.

12. Check in the mirror to make sure the collar is even. A properly fitting collar should look like the picture below.

The grey pads on back panel overlap the plastic sides of the front panel

Space for two fingers between collar and neck

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Sitting up/mirror method

** Only use this method if your surgeon allows it **

1. Sit in front of a mirror.

2. Do not move your head and neck.

3. Undo one side of the Velcro to remove the collar.

4. Remove one piece of old padding at a time. Wipe the plastic clean and dry.

5. Replace each with a dry pad.

6. Put on the front of the collar first so that your chin comes to rest on the chin rest. Use one hand to hold the front of the collar in place.

7. Use your free hand to bring the back of piece of the collar around to the front until the pad overlaps the side panel (see page 10).

8. Adjust and tighten the straps, one at a time until they are the same length on both sides. The collar should fit tightly. You should be able to fit two fingers between the collar and your neck.

9. Check in the mirror to make sure the collar is even on both sides. Please refer to the picture below.

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Bathing

Use non-slip bath mats, grab bars, and/or a shower chair in your bathroom to help you keep your balance.

You must shower with your collar in place unless your doctor tells you that you can remove it. After you shower, keep your collar on tightly and towel dry as normal.

Washing under the collar1. After your shower or bath, lie flat on your back.

2. Have a friend or family member undo the Velcro straps on the wet collar and remove the front of the collar. Keep your head and neck still.

3. Have someone wash your neck with mild soap and water and dry it well while you are lying on your back. You can also have someone help you shave in this position. You may find an electric razor helpful during this time.

4. Replace the front of the wet collar with new, dry padding.

5. While you hold the front of the collar firmly with one hand, roll like a log onto your side. Keep your neck still, and remove the back part of the wet collar. Have someone help you wash the back of your neck and then dry the area while you are lying on your side.

6. Replace the back portion of the collar with dry padding. Roll like a log onto your back, and attach the Velcro straps in place.

Hair washing

You may shampoo your hair while in the shower, as long as your collar is tightly in place. If you have long hair it should be worn outside of the collar.

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Caring for your wound

If you had surgery, you may get the wound wet starting 48 hours afterward. If you have stitches or staples that can be seen, avoid soaking the incision. You may shower but change the dressing after your shower.

Activity

You must wear your collar at all times unless your doctor tells you that you can remove it.

Slowly increase your activities and let your comfort level be your guide:

• Continue to move your arms so they do not become stiff

• Walking is good exercise. Walk more often and further each day, as you are able

• It is important to do exercises with your arms and legs to increase blood flow and prevent blood clots

Do not: • Bend, twist, or reach above your head until your doctor tells you

this is okay

• Move your head up, down, or side-to-side

• Lift more than 2 kilograms (5 pounds)

• Push or pull

• Perform activities above shoulder level for long periods of time (such as lifting dishes up into high cupboards, or painting)

• Perform any heavy housework, heavy exercise or contact sports (For example: mowing the lawn, running, laundry, shoveling or vacuuming)

• Drive until your doctor says it is okay

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Follow up

You will get an appointment or be told when to see your doctor for follow-up. This should be written on your Discharge Summary.

When to call your doctor

Call your doctor or go to your local Emergency Department if you have any of these symptoms:

• Redness around your incision site that does not go away

• More or new drainage from the incision site (for example: pus, blood)

• Drainage from the incision that smells bad

• More tenderness, pain or discomfort

• New numbness, weakness, tingling, or loss of feeling in your arms or legs

• Trouble breathing

• Chest pain

• Trouble swallowing

• Loss of either bowel or bladder control

• Chills, shaking, fever or sweats

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Special instructions_________________________________________________________________________________

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For questions, please call: _____________________________________

Phone number: _____________________________________

To see the Aspen Vista Collar patient care video please digit in the URL:

https://vimeo.com/195507580 Password: Aspen

Or for quick access scan the QR code beside

72901 Rev. July05 2017 V2

30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8 Canada416.864.6060 stmichaelshospital.com

St. Michael’s cares about your health. For reliable health information, visit our Patient and Family Learning Centre, or find us online at www.stmichaelshospital.com/learn

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care.  Ask your healthcare provider about this information if you have questions.