Miami J Collar General Guidelines How to Put On Your Miami J Collar Safe Exercises to Do While in The Collar www.neurosurgery.med.miami.edu
General Guidelines Wear the Miami J Collar at all times. Do not stop wearing your collar until your physician instructs you to do so. Keep two collars on hand. Shower in your collar, then remove and replace with a dry collar. Hold head and neck straight up when changing collar or shaving. Check the skin under your collar daily for redness, tenderness or drainage from your incision site. Use chairs with armrests to make it easier to stand up and sit down. Remove things that may cause you to fall in your home or office such as throw rugs and electrical cords. Use non-slip bath mats, grab bars, and a shower chair in your bathroom for safety. When seated, make sure feet are flat on the floor, lower back is well supported and your shoulders are not rounded. When laying down in a face-up position, use a thin pillow under your head and shoulders. Do not use a very thick pillow to avoid bending forward too much. Arrange your household to keep the items you need close at hand. Keep your hands free by using a fanny pack or your pockets to carry things. Do not hang handbags, lap top bags, or any straps over your shoulders. Do not bend or twist excessively. Do not move your head up, down, or side-to-side against collar; but do not fear slight inadvertent movements. You are safe in the collar. Do not lift anything heavier than 5 lbs. until your physician clears you to do so. Do not stay in bed or sit excessively. Being up, active and walking is important. Daily aerobic exercise on a treadmill or a stationary or recumbent bicycle is essential. Do not drive until your physician clears you to do so or while you are taking narcotic pain medications. A balanced diet with protein and a daily multivitamin enhances healing. If you have not been given instructions about beginning physical therapy, refer to your physician
Putting on the Collar Face the mirror. Gently slide the front piece of your brace up your chest and into place beneath your chin. Make sure the front piece rests on top of your shoulders and your chest. Rest your chin comfortably on the chin support. Place the back piece directly behind your head. Center the back piece. Bring both Velcro straps around to the front Attach them to the front of the collar. Hold the front piece with one hand while tightening the back piece with your other hand. Make sure the sides of the collar overlap each other for proper side support. Make sure the collar fits closely against your neck.
Exercises Postural Scapular Depression With both arms straight at sides, reach hands towards floor. Hold 3 seconds. Repeat 10 times per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Scapular Retraction With both arms straight at sides, pinch shoulder blades down and together. Repeat 10 times per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Do not raise your shoulders. Backwards Shoulder Rolls Seated in a well supported chair or standing with knees slightly bent, both arms straight at sides, roll shoulders backwards gently. Complete 10 shoulder rolls per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day.
Exercises Gentle Stretches Chest/Bicep Stretch Lace fingers behind back and squeeze shoulder blades together. Slowly raise and straighten arms. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times per session, at least once per day. Upper Back Stretch Clasp hands together in front with arms extended. Gently pull shoulder blades apart, reaching forward with arms. Hold 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times per session, at least once per day.
Exercises Gentle Isometrics Flexion Using light pressure from fingertips at forehead, resist bending head forward. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Extension Using light pressure from fingertips at back of head, resist bending head backward. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Side-bending Using light pressure from fingertips on temple, resist bending head to the Right side. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times per set. Repeat on Left side. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Rotation Using light pressure from fingertips on Right temple, resist turning head to the Right. Hold 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times per set. Repeat on Left side. Do 3 sets per session, once per day.
Exercises Stabilization Alternating Arm and Leg Raises in Supine Tighten stomach and flatten back. Slowly raise Right leg with knee bent and opposite arm. Right arm should be perpendicular to the body (as shown in picture). Do not swing arms completely overhead. Keep trunk rigid. Lower Right leg and Left arm. Slowly raise Left leg and Right arm in the same manner. Repeat 10 times per set. Do 3 sets per session, once per day. Courtesy of: www.neurosurgery.med.miami.edu