How to choose the right trench collar for newborns. Shants collar for newborns: reasons for prescribing a splint and features of its use Collar for a baby

One of the interesting and simplest inventions is the Shants collar for newborns. The fact is that every mother experiences childbirth differently, sometimes with complications. Due to these complications, a variety of injuries can occur in the baby. One of the most common types of injuries in children is damage to the spine in the neck. It is in such a situation that an orthopedic collar is needed. Thus, the main task of parents is the correct selection of this device, which will help correct the current situation.

Before purchasing a collar for a newborn, you must remember that only the attending physician can prescribe it.

To answer the question of why this device is needed, you must first understand what it is. A collar is a simple neck brace. It to some extent reduces the load on the spine. This promotes faster recovery, helping the newborn to regain the functionality of body parts much faster. All parents, knowing that their child will have to wear a Shants collar, think about the maximum effectiveness of this invention. But there is no doubt, it really helps.

In appearance, the retainer is similar to a tire, which consists of foam rubber. There is Velcro on each end that allows you to adjust the size of the circle. The Shants collar for newborns is called a medical splint in the medical field, and a “collar” in public circles. It plays an irreplaceable role, thereby helping to normalize the working condition of the spine. Thanks to this, blood circulation in the brain will be established, which will have a beneficial effect on the overall development of the body.

Key points to keep in mind

Before purchasing a collar for a newborn, you must remember that only the attending physician can prescribe it. It is needed in cases where the child suffers:

depression of the central nervous system;
hyperexcitability;
motor dysfunctions;
from curvature of the cervical vertebrae;
short neck syndrome.

Since each baby is individual, when choosing such a collar, parameters such as body weight and volume must be taken into account. A good option would be to visit an orthopedic store. Here you can find medical splints of all sizes and colors.

The choice of “collar” should be given maximum attention. If you choose a short one, it will constantly go astray and cause a lot of inconvenience to the little patient. In the case of a long collar, there will be no benefit for infants, because it will not be able to perform its direct duties (restoring the functionality of the cervical vertebrae). An important clarification is the fact that the required size for a child (more precisely, the height of the tire) on average ranges from 3 to 5 cm.

It is best to make a custom-made neck splint, since a standard one may not be suitable for a newborn. After the measurements are taken and the “collar” is made, it is necessary for the specialist to demonstrate how to properly put it on and how to wear it. The doctor will also tell you how much time a day the child should wear the collar without removing it from the neck.

To ensure that the baby does not have a negative emotional state, before putting on the splint, it would be useful to do a short massage or a short warm-up. This will greatly increase the effectiveness of wearing and will not be perceived so critically by newborns.

An important condition is maintaining hygiene, because a baby’s skin is delicate. If cleanliness and order are not maintained, the child will develop redness and quite severe irritation of the surface of the epidermis. All this is necessary in order to create more comfortable conditions for the newborn. If you do not adhere to this rule, long-term wearing of the orthopedic structure will not be possible.

If the parents of a small patient do not understand (or are completely sure) how to wear a child’s collar, they should immediately seek help from a doctor. An incorrectly applied medical splint will not bring the expected result; it will become one of the main factors of harm for the newborn (the neck muscles will be weakened, and because of this, even at two months of age the baby will not be able to hold his head up on his own). That is why maximum attention should be paid to this condition. If you miss even one rule and take the wrong step, the results can be very disastrous.

Orthopedic splint care

The maximum benefit can be obtained if the Shants collar for children is properly cared for. It must be kept clean at all times. This design can be washed by hand and only in cold water. It should be dried flat. Do not wash in washing machines, dry in automatic dryers or use other heating devices. Having lost its shape, the collar will not be able to effectively limit movements and reduce pain in the neck (it may lose its warming effect, and thanks to this property, the muscles relax and recover much more intensely).

Sometimes childbirth occurs with complications, as a result of which children may experience various pathologies, in particular, torticollis. Such a defect can cause various health problems. Painful sensations when tilting the head are far from the only manifestation of pathology.

Without treatment, facial deformation is possible. In this case, the baby will remain disabled for life. The Shants collar for newborns is the ideal solution to the problem. Thanks to this device, you will be able to eliminate congenital pathology in a child.

The Shants collar for infants helps to fix and stabilize the vertebrae of the neck, unload the neck muscles and ligaments, improve the functioning of the neuromuscular system, improve the blood supply to the brain, as well as normalize the basic functions of the affected cervical spine.

What is a Shants collar?

Trauma to the cervical spine during the passage of the birth canal is not just an orthopedic pathology, it is a danger of disrupting the blood supply to the brain and disrupting the nerve impulses coming from it.
The advantage in this situation is the plasticity of all systems of the newborn (including bone and joint), so timely prescribed treatment can completely relieve the child from the consequences of birth trauma.

Doctors call the Shants collar for newborns tire. From the point of view of the functionality of the product, this is correct, because its main purpose is to eliminate an orthopedic defect of the cervical spine.

Visually, the product is perceived precisely as a collar, hence its alternative name.

The tire composition is simple:

base in the form of foam rubber, the structure of which allows you to provide the shape and rigidity of the collar;
Velcro fastener for optimal fixation of the splint;
fabric covering of the collar that protects the newborn's neck from chafing.

Product cost

The material that provides easy maintenance, the long service life of the product and the manufacturer determine how much the structure will cost.

Comparative table of Shants collars for children.

Indications

Indications for using the Shants splint in children are:

orthopedic defects of the neck;
disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.

In the first case we are talking about:

torticollis;
short neck syndrome;
damage to the cervical vertebrae during childbirth.

The second group of reasons includes:

central nervous system depression syndrome (or, on the contrary, hyperexcitability);
movement disorder syndrome.

Shants splint for torticollis

Sometimes the baby holds his head noticeably incorrectly and his neck is bent to one side. This problem can occur in both boys and girls, and is most often congenital. Acquired torticollis occurs due to inflammatory processes.

Signs of torticollis

The first manifestations of impaired development of the cervical muscles will either be noticeable after childbirth or may appear during the first weeks.

The mother's observation and knowledge of the symptoms of torticollis will help identify the pathology. The first thing that begins to catch your eye is that the child’s head will be tilted to the side - this reveals right-sided or left-sided torticollis.

Some babies have a short neck, and torticollis is indicated by a constant tilt of the baby's head to one side; the baby's eyes and the tips of the earlobes are on the same straight line. With age, tension in the facial muscles (one-sided) will be noticeable.

During the massage, the mother or specialist will be able to feel the excessive muscle tension, which feels like a tightness. There are several other types of congenital torticollis:

Sprengel's disease;
a short neck, in which the head rotates heavily; the child only squints his eyes at the sound, unable to turn his head. The chin rests directly on the chest, and the hair grows low on the back of the head.

If short neck syndrome is not diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is not undertaken, the child does not hold his head up for a long time.

Causes of torticollis

The main cause of the condition is considered to be trauma during childbirth and hemorrhage. The connective tissue that has developed in this place tightens the muscle, preventing it from developing properly. As a result, insufficient muscle development (mainly the sternoclavicular muscle) is formed.

A doctor can diagnose positional torticollis in a newborn - the simplest form of pathology, the cause of which is considered to be the incorrect position of the child in the crib.

Shants' orthopedic collar holds the child's head in the correct position and allows the muscle to develop correctly. For treatment, the doctor additionally prescribes physiotherapeutic procedures.

How to choose a cervical collar for a newborn?

The place of purchase of the product is orthopedic salons (depending on the locality, they may be called stores or centers).

If the doctor prescribed a Shants collar for your child, then you need to purchase this particular orthopedic product, and not analogues. We have already provided information about the composition of the Shants tire, so from the models offered to you, immediately cut off analogues:

devices with an inflatable mechanism;
fasteners made of metal or plastic material.

The collar you purchase must be ideally suited to the child’s parameters.

For this purpose you can:

make an individual order for the production of a Shants tire;
buy a finished product according to the measurements of the doctor who determined the size of the collar for the newborn.

Terms of wearing

This issue is very individual and can only be decided by a doctor, depending on the indications and severity of the pathology. If the defect is congenital, the bandage is put on the newborn immediately after birth for a month; it should be removed only during water procedures. In other cases, the collar is used for a certain period of time every day. If a child is prescribed a massage, the splint should be put on just after the procedure to consolidate the effect.

When constantly wearing a bandage, the baby has to sleep in it and walk outside. In this case, parents need to dress the child for sleep or a walk in such a way that the clothes do not put pressure on the splint and cause discomfort.

How to choose the right size

The most obvious impact of the Shants tire occurs when:

eliminating neck pain in babies,
normalization of blood flow through the vessels of the neck,
improving the child's well-being.

An incorrectly selected tire size not only deprives the product of its functionality, this circumstance can aggravate the baby’s illness and cause a number of side effects:

vomiting
dizziness and weakness,
fainting,
pain in the neck.

Having proven the importance of accurately determining the size of the product, we emphasize that the size of the Shants collar is determined by the doctor.
The only thing a mother can do is double-check the doctor’s measurements so that she won’t be plagued by doubts later. We'll tell you how to do this below.

How to correctly take measurements for a collar?

The baby is placed on his back on a flat surface so that the newborn's spinal column is level.
The exact collar size is the distance from the baby's chin to the middle of the collarbone.
Depending on the baby’s height and the length of his neck, the resulting figure can be 3.4 or 5 centimeters.
The length of the collar for children under 1 month of age ranges from 28 to 32 cm, for older newborns - 33 cm.

Mode of application

Trench collars must come with wearing instructions.

The collar should be worn on a bare neck. The degree of tightening should be such that the collar should not interfere with free breathing and swallowing. The freedom of fixation of the collar is determined by the thickness of the adult finger: it must pass freely between the baby’s neck and the retainer. The chin should rest against a special notch for it.

The time to wear the collar should be determined by a doctor. The only inconvenience when wearing a collar is difficulty in feeding, since the collar restricts downward movement of the jaw.

How to properly put a collar on a child?

We will indicate 3 basic principles that will help to properly secure the product on the child’s neck:

Velcro fastener secures the collar strictly behind the neck, in its center;
there is a recess in the splint, this is a place for the newborn’s chin (thus, the lower part of the collar rests on the bones of the collarbone, the upper part supports the chin);
Do not allow the tire to be overtightened(this slows down the blood flow and contributes to suffocation), or weakened (in this case the product loses its medicinal meaning).

Optimal fixation of the splint assumes that the mother’s finger can fit between it and the baby’s neck.

Be that as it may, the first fitting of the splint should be carried out in the presence of a doctor, since even the simple tips given earlier can be understood differently by mothers.

For some, the gap between the tire and the newborn’s neck seems such that a finger can easily “fly” there; for others, it seems that a finger should fit into the gap with some effort.

The mother’s task is to remember the correct position of the splint and subsequently accurately reproduce the correct fixation of the collar, in which the baby does not feel discomfort.

Selection rules

According to the instructions for use, you need to select a collar for children under one year old according to size. At this age, they differ not only in height and weight, but also in neck length. Standard sizes for children. They are determined by measuring the distance between the lower jaw and the middle part of the collarbone.

The child's size must match the measurements taken. A neck brace for a newborn varies between 3-5 cm. If the parameter is larger or smaller than an orthopedic splint, then reliable fixation will not occur.

How to wear a newborn collar?

Let's make a slight digression. Since childhood, we have known a common horror story about certain women who, following the customs of their people, wore metal rings to lengthen their necks. And when someone violated the laws of the tribe, the rings were removed from the unfortunate woman’s neck, and the head of the culprit could not be supported on the neck, which was devoid of muscles.
Some “well-wishers” like to remind this horror story to mothers whose babies are recommended to wear a Shants collar.

Few people believe in these horror stories, realizing that the doctor knows better how to help the child. Indeed, the muscles of a newborn’s neck do not atrophy even after wearing the Shants splint for a long time, and he will learn to hold his head no later than his peers.

There are suspicious mothers who cannot be won over with simple assurances. It is for them that we inform you that even today in Thailand there is a tribe of Padaungs, whose women tourists call giraffes because of their exorbitantly long necks, elongated with metal spirals.

Due to some circumstances, they are forced to remove these spirals, and... nothing bad happens. A year later, the three necks of female giraffes take on their normal appearance, and they are no longer different from ordinary people.

Depending on the reason why the newborn is prescribed a Shants collar, the time of wearing the orthopedic product can range from several minutes a day to constant wearing for a month.

Only a doctor can set this time correctly in each case.

Periods when the collar must be removed:

during water procedures;
during the massage.

Customer Reviews

The Shants collar gives positive results when used regularly and correctly. Buyers leave positive reviews for orthopedic products and advise other parents to purchase them if necessary.

Marina. The child was born quickly and for this reason he developed neurological disorders. The doctor recommended the Shants collar. I used it only as prescribed. After a month, positive results were visible.

Svetlana. The birth was not easy. The child was heavy and managed to be born naturally, but with minor consequences for himself. It was possible to relieve the load on the spine only with the help of the Shants collar, which was put on already in the maternity hospital. They didn't take it off for about 1 month. All consequences of childbirth were resolved. Thanks to the use of such a product, the child was able to hold his head well at 1.5 months.

How to care for Shants collar?

The delicate skin of a newborn requires special attention, so caring for the Shants collar is a solution to the hygiene problem.
Keeping a product clean is caring for it. To avoid deformation of the tire, the product is washed:

manually,
in cool water.

The collar should dry naturally.

Since the device is constantly in close contact with the skin, sometimes you have to use it for up to a year. In order for it to serve you for a long time, you need to properly care for it. Otherwise, it may cause irritation or simply become unusable.

Maintenance must be regular.
The device can only be washed by hand and only in cold water.
Drying the collar on a radiator or other heat source is prohibited.
The product should be dried flat.

Following the above tips will help extend the life of the product.

Reviews about the device

All reviews about the use of the Shants collar can be divided into 3 groups (the number of reviews in each group is approximately the same):

the device causes inconvenience to the child;
the Shants splint helped to completely get rid of orthopedic pathology without causing discomfort to the newborn;
It was possible to heal the baby only thanks to complex treatment: the use of a splint and massage.

Concluding the article, let’s summarize the main results:

You need to purchase a splint only in well-established orthopedic salons;
the device has an effective therapeutic effect only if the size is correctly set and with correct fixation of the product;
in order to achieve the most effective help from the use of a splint, you should strictly follow the recommendations of the orthopedist (neurologist) regarding the time of its use;
using the Shants collar to treat newborns, It is necessary to ensure the cleanliness of the product(a dirty product can cause diaper rash, prickly heat; in advanced cases, infection can get inside, which will aggravate the underlying disease);
the Shants splint for newborns in itself is not a panacea, therefore, to obtain the best result, wearing an orthopedic product must be combined with therapeutic massage.

The instructions for putting on the device are simple. Ideally, a doctor should teach you this.

Install the clamp so that the cutout is clearly under the baby's chin.
The tire is fastened at the back (using Velcro).
After putting it on, check that the fastener is installed correctly. The distance between the tire and the skin should be one centimeter.
The length of time the child needs to wear the collar is determined by the doctor. This could be half an hour, a day or even a year.

The device should not interfere or cause discomfort. It is more correct to wear it after therapeutic exercises. In addition, do not forget to keep it clean. Before putting on the Shants collar, be sure to treat your child's skin.

If irritation, rash and redness appear, the retainer is removed and not put on until the symptoms disappear. Because of this, therapy may be delayed. But this rarely happens. As a rule, it is recommended to wear the product for no more than two months.

The orthopedic product can only be removed while swimming. After a course of therapy, you should not rush to remove the collar. Let your child wear it for several hours over two to three days. This way you will be able to consolidate the result.

You should not use homemade devices, as this will only harm the child and injure fragile vertebrae. In such devices it is almost impossible to calculate the force of impact, which can cause damage to the spinal cord.

Features of the device

The Shants bandage for infants is a kind of retainer. It relieves some stress from the cervical spine and allows it to quickly recover from various injuries, birth injuries, and so on. It is worth noting that you should definitely consult a doctor, since only a specialist can tell whether you need to wear this device or not. Moreover, it is necessary to choose the right size, otherwise there will be no sense in using it.

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Despite choosing the right size, wearing this device can be a problem for children. Therefore, it is best to wear a soft bandage after a massage or therapeutic exercises. Moreover, in this case the effect will be more pronounced.

Often, parents cannot put on a collar themselves, since this requires experience and practice, so they turn to a doctor. It is worth saying that this is the best option, since the specialist knows what and how to do so as not to harm the little patient.

What is it needed for?

During childbirth, the baby may be injured. As already mentioned, the neck suffers most often. Therefore, wearing a bandage helps with various dysfunctions. It relieves some stress from the spine and neck, and helps improve blood circulation in the brain.

The bandage is prescribed for the following injuries, injuries and pathologies:

With torticollis.
To achieve a dry heat effect.
With slight neck extension.
With micromassage effect.

Indications for use

As a rule, the doctor prescribes a bandage immediately after the baby is born if there are any pathologies or abnormalities.

Wearing the device is prescribed in the following cases:

For complications of the central nervous system.
For movement disorders.
For torticollis.
For hyperexcitability.

Only the doctor chooses the device, because it is necessary to take into account the baby’s age, weight and size. Often the device is made to order, this makes it easier to take into account all the necessary factors. If the collar is chosen incorrectly, then not only will it not bring any benefit, but it will also significantly harm the baby. Therefore, you should not treat children yourself; this matter must be entrusted to specialists.

Contraindications

Wearing a collar, if necessary, has a fairly positive effect on the cervical spine and blood circulation in the brain. But there are still some contraindications to wearing it:

Skin diseases. It is especially worth noting that the baby should not have any damage under the collar, the skin must be clean and dry, otherwise dermatological problems may arise. Therefore, if you have such problems, wearing the structure is not recommended.
Instability of the cervical spine. This pathology occurs during rapid labor, when the baby’s umbilical cord is entangled, or during labor that is too long. Wearing a bandage in this case is prohibited.

Types of collars and their features

The purpose of a cervical splint is very clear - to relieve the load on a certain part of the newborn's spine and provide proper support during the healing process. There is a whole line of similar clamps, which differ only in the material of manufacture. At the same time, functionally there is practically no difference between them.

Types of neck splints

Soft tire

It is made of soft porous material, most often foam rubber. Externally, it is a flexible strip that has a notch in the chin area to ensure maximum wearing comfort. There are Velcro strips at both ends of the splint to ensure secure fixation.

Used to correct minor pathologies and neck traction in a newborn. The soft Shants collar helps limit head tilt, supports the neck, helps strengthen weakened vertebrae, and also prevents the development of osteochondrosis in the cervical spine.

In most cases, it is prescribed to patients in childhood, especially for the treatment of torticollis in newborns. Depending on the age and size of the child, the tire is selected purely individually.

Semi-rigid tire

There is no functional difference from the previous type. It performs the same functions, but differs in the material of manufacture. Its use is justified for more serious injuries and pathologies in the cervical spine. It limits not only tilting, but also turning of the head. However, in everyday wear it causes significant discomfort.

The semi-rigid retainer consists of a fairly dense material that provides a tight fit, but at the same time, is equipped with metal inserts. A similar Shants collar provides quite serious traction of the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, it can be used in both children and adults.

Hard tire

This design is used for serious lesions of the spine, as well as for fractures in the cervical spine. The rigid clamp very reliably fixes the neck in a stationary position. This requires very long daily wear.

The rigid collar is made of metal or durable plastic. This provides the necessary fixation, which in some cases is necessary for recovery. If the splint has been applied correctly, it can facilitate a full recovery, even without surgery.

Contraindications for use

There are no special restrictions on the use of the Shants collar for infants. It is not recommended to wear a bandage only in case of damage to the skin on the neck (wounds, scratching, various allergies and eczema). The use of an orthosis in this case will lead to an exacerbation of the pathological condition.

If the baby does not feel very well in the bandage, shows anxiety, cries and is capricious, it is better to remove the device and contact a pediatric neurologist. Perhaps the size is incorrect or the child really cannot wear the collar. The doctor will decide what to do in this case.

Indications and contraindications

It is worth saying right away that This type of neck brace is contraindicated for healthy children, since its unnecessary use can lead to muscle atrophy. When a doctor prescribes this product, you must wear the collar without removing it.

Indications for purchasing a Shants tire:

Inappropriate neck size.
Excessive excitability of the nervous system.
Curvature of the cervical vertebrae in newborns.
Depression of the central nervous system.
Impaired coordination.

If you do not prescribe wearing a collar to your child in time, this can lead to serious consequences, one of which is disturbance of blood flow in the cervical region. The first symptom of the disorder is restless sleep in the child and weak muscle tone. In turn, such changes lead to improper formation of the nervous system.

Even if it is necessary to wear a splint, sometimes this is impossible due to certain circumstances. These include:

There is peeling or irritation on the skin where the collar will be attached. It is also contraindicated in the presence of deep wounds, since air access is important for their healing.
Severe instability requiring complete immobilization of the neck.

The presence of the listed points is considered a reason to reduce the period of wearing the splint or completely abandon its use.

How to put on a Shants collar correctly and how long to wear it?

The neck brace for newborns is placed directly on a clean, dry neck or a soft cotton pad is used.

To do everything correctly, you can use the process description below:

Place the splint on the baby's neck so that the notch is directly under the chin.
Wrap the collar around your neck and secure at the back with a clasp.
Check the tightness of the orthosis.

How long should you wear a Shants collar? It all depends on the complexity of the case - for some, the doctor recommends that the orthosis not be removed for 4-5 hours in a row, while other children spend 24 hours a day in it. The specific period is determined only by the doctor.

Under no circumstances should you limit wearing a collar on your own. If the specialist has not prescribed anything else, the bandage is removed only for the duration of massage, bathing or hygienic treatment of the skin.

Is it possible to sleep in it?

Yes, you are allowed to sleep in Shants' collar. If a newborn is prescribed to wear a bandage around the clock, then it should be removed only when necessary. In addition, it is advisable for your baby to purchase an orthopedic pillow - it will help maintain the anatomically correct position of the vertebrae of the cervical segment during sleep.

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Cost of a bandage for newborns

The price of an orthopedic neck brace depends on the manufacturer’s brand, material and design complexity. The average cost of products in Russia as of the end of 2019 is shown in the table.

Shants collar price table

You should buy an orthosis for children under 1 year of age at an orthopedic store. Only a high-quality product can provide a decent therapeutic effect and will not harm the baby.

The Shants collar is an effective and safe device for the treatment of torticollis and birth injuries in newborns. The bandage is used only as prescribed by a doctor and is worn for the recommended period. You cannot remove it ahead of time or replace it with another model without the permission of a specialist.

Source vertebrolog.pro

Childbirth is a complex and unpredictable process. Even if no abnormalities were detected during pregnancy, the passage of the baby through the birth canal is sometimes accompanied by injuries. One of the most common is damage to the cervical spine. In addition to pain, this phenomenon threatens the baby with serious complications, including disability. To avoid this, an orthopedic doctor usually recommends using a Shants collar for newborns with congenital or acquired pathologies of the cervical vertebrae.

Terms of use

To properly put a collar on a child, you need to contact a specialist who will show you how this process is carried out and do it yourself for the first time. However, if this is not possible, then it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions and observe the following rules for fixing the neck of a newborn with this instrument:

the baby’s chin must be strictly in a special recess on the front side of the collar;
the form's fixing Velcro should be located at the back;
The collar should not be pulled too tight. When fixed, a finger should fit freely between the collar and neck.

In each individual case, only the pediatrician determines how long the product should be worn. Usually the collar is put on the baby immediately after birth, after which the treatment process lasts about one month. In this case, depending on the pathology and its severity, the pad should be worn constantly or for several minutes at a certain time of the day. The greatest effectiveness of the method is achieved when the collar is put on the baby after a session of rehabilitation and therapeutic massage.

It is necessary to understand that there is no relationship between delayed development of the neck muscles and wearing a therapeutic collar. On the contrary, this remedy should not cause any discomfort in the child and in any way harm his current condition and development as a whole.

It is important to follow basic hygiene rules to prevent skin diseases or discomfort in your baby. To do this, you need to carefully ensure that no moisture gets under the pad, and that the skin of the neck under the collar is always clean

This applies to especially hot times of the year, when the child may sweat profusely.

Shants collar for small children, application features

During the delivery process, no one is immune from possible injuries: neither the expectant mother nor the baby himself. If during childbirth a newborn child receives any kind of spinal injury, the neonatologist may decide on the need to prescribe an orthopedic brace to the newborn baby - a Shants collar.

Indications for wearing an orthopedic collar in newborns are movement disorders, torticollis, short neck syndrome, depression of the function of the central nervous system, and hyperexcitability of the baby.

Torticollis is a direct indication for the use of the Shants collar in newborns

The Shants collar must strictly correspond to the age, weight and size of the baby, otherwise it can cause the development of severe complications in the cervical spine and spinal cord. That is why the appointment and selection of such a fixative should be handled exclusively by a competent doctor.

Neck collars for osteochondrosis are currently very effective devices that can significantly facilitate the pathological process.

They are used in various fields of medicine, including traumatology, orthopedics, rheumatology, surgery, neonatology and therapy. The demand for such devices is growing every day, since a cervical collar for cervical osteochondrosis can reduce the duration of the rehabilitation period after injuries, improve blood circulation and create reliable passive support for the cervical spine. In addition, the real price of the Shants cervical collar for osteochondrosis makes it accessible to patients with a wide range of income levels.

Contraindications and alternatives

The advantage of using a splint is that there are practically no contraindications to wearing a collar. Even after surgery on the cervical (and other parts) of the spine or after a stroke, patients are prescribed to wear a collar. However, there are several reasons that exclude the use of a head holder:

Structural anomalies when the neck is either too short or too long.
Severe vertebral instability. In this case, specialists make more radical decisions.
Allergies, itching, rash and other skin reactions.

Patients often wonder what alternative options exist if there are contraindications. You can make a special order taking into account the individual characteristics of the person. Of course, this will affect the cost. In addition, medical equipment stores offer a number of analogues that may be suitable in case of allergies.

You can make a corset with your own hands if you need to relax your neck muscles.

You will need:

a small plastic jar;
natural hypoallergenic fabric;
Velcro fasteners (width - 1 cm, length - 5 cm).

How to make a homemade tire:

Measure the height and circumference of your neck.
Cut a rectangle from the fabric. The width should be 30 cm, the length should be 2 cm greater than the circumference.
Fold the fabric inside. The width should vary from 10 to 12 cm.
Cut a strip from the can. The width of the strip should be 2 cm less than the width of the fabric.
Place the fabric on the side adjacent to the neck, then apply the plastic strip. The outer layer is Velcro that secures the tire. The edges of the plastic strip must be completely covered with cloth, otherwise there is a risk of cutting yourself.

Of course, such a remedy can only be a temporary measure in an emergency. If neck pain constantly bothers you, hurry up and see a specialist. Painful sensations can not only cause discomfort, but also indicate the initial stage of osteochondrosis and other insidious diseases.

There are contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Types of bandages for newborns

The main criterion when prescribing a Shants collar to a newborn is the degree of fixation, which depends on the material and design features of the product. Today, orthopedic companies offer many children's orthoses with different levels of rigidity and indications for use.

Soft Shants collar for children

The most common type of bandage in pediatrics. It is an elastic foam splint covered with fabric with a recess for the chin and a strong clasp. It has a thickness of 2–3 cm.

Prescribed to premature and weak babies immediately after birth to correct minor changes in the cervical spine caused by difficult childbirth.

Elastic and soft Shants splint for newborns:

allows limited movement of the head without disturbing the position of the vertebrae;
corrects mild torticollis;
warms, relaxes muscles and relieves pain.

The foam collar is comfortable to wear, does not cause discomfort and does not interfere with the newborn’s exploration of the world. The baby gets used to the orthosis and stops noticing it.

Excellent soft bandages for children under 1 year of age are offered by Russian manufacturers. All of them are made of hypoallergenic material, have a convenient clasp and differ only in height: model ORTO TB-000 - 3.5 cm, ORTO TV-001 - 5 cm.

Shants collar for newborns of medium hardness

Photo from festima.ru

For more serious injuries to the cervical spine - dislocations, cracks or small fractures, the baby requires fixation of medium rigidity. This can be provided by a Shants collar made of polyurethane foam with a plastic insert. This brace gives a stable position to the head and stretches the spine well.

St. Petersburg produces comfortable and inexpensive medical splints for newborns with medium fixation. The size of the device can be changed using a textile fastener; the height is selected according to the age of the baby.

In addition, on sale you can find a Shants collar model F-300 for moderate fixation of the cervical region, made of foam rubber. Thanks to its original design, the splint improves blood circulation in the affected area, relieves stress on the vertebrae and muscular system, and consolidates the results of manual correction.

The Shants collar of the German brand Orlett BN6-53 is recognized as the most convenient and effective of the medium-fixation bandages. Made from high-strength polyurethane, the orthosis helps to correct serious disorders after birth trauma, vacuum extraction, and rotational subluxation.

Shants collar for newborns with rigid fixation

Rigid structures for newborns are made of soft plastic or thermoplastic polyethylene foam. Collars have a submandibular notch and posterior support, and can be equipped with an opening for a tracheostomy.

An orthopedic bandage with strong fixation limits head movements, holds the cervical spine in a given position, and improves muscle tone. Used for torticollis, vertebral instability, scoliosis, after fractures or surgery.

Childbirth, both easy and complicated, is a colossal burden on the child’s body. It happens that a baby is born with injuries. The most common of them is damage to the cervical spine. The causes of injury may be the structural features of the mother's pelvis, the weight and size of the fetus, prematurity, prolonged or very rapid labor, as well as incorrect behavior of the woman in labor at the time of birth of the head.

In this case, the neonatologist prescribes a Shants collar to the newborn (the device was named after its inventor, Alfred Shants). This orthopedic collar, also called a splint, looks like a collar - a soft, wave-shaped circle, elastic. It is based on medical foam rubber or porous-synthetic material, which is covered with a permanent cotton cover. The top of the collar is covered with washable fabric.

Indications for use of the Shants collar for newborns

The Shants collar effectively relieves torticollis

When the cervical spine is injured, many health problems arise for the baby. The child is lethargic, weak, and has almost no reflexes. The limbs and chin often tremble. The baby lets out a piercing cry, throws his head back - he is in pain. An orthopedic product is prescribed if the doctor observes:

short neck syndrome;
torticollis;
hyperexcitability;
neurological disorders due to trauma to the cervical spine;
movement disorders;
depressed central nervous system.

Wearing a collar without indication has a negative impact on the functioning of the child’s muscular corset: when receiving support, the muscles relax and atrophy.

Why wear a neck orthopedic brace?

When a neonatologist prescribes wearing a splint for a newborn, a young mother often has doubts: she is afraid that the child will be scared or uncomfortable, that the collar will harm him. Probably, excessive anxiety is explained by the condition of a woman who has just given birth. In fact, the Shants collar has a number of positive effects on the newborn’s body. As a result of wearing a splint, the following occurs:

The vertebrae of the cervical area acquire a normal position.
Blood circulation to the brain improves.
Proper development of the baby is ensured.
The neuromuscular system is normalized. The affected muscles relax and recover.
The warming effect reduces pain.
The tire has micromassage properties.
Healthy sleep is ensured, so the child can sleep without removing the collar.

Types of collars

The Shants collar is worn by children aged from 1 day to 1 year. The dysfunctions based on which a doctor prescribes wearing a splint also vary. It is quite expected that there is no universal type of tire. Three types of Shants collar are made:

rigid fixation;
medium hardness;
soft.

A correctly selected collar will create a minimum of discomfort for the baby

The Shants collar is purchased taking into account the age, weight and size of the baby. Although the collar is labeled “for newborns,” it is used up to 6 months of age, and in some cases up to a year. It is obvious that the above indicators are different in children. The main thing is that the collar should be the right size for the baby.

Check with your doctor about the specifics of wearing a collar when feeding, water procedures and bathing.

The required collar size is determined based on the distance between the chin and collarbone. You should entrust this to your doctor; do not try to select the size of the device yourself. A splint that is too short will slide on your neck, and a splint that is too long will put pressure on your chin. Neither in the first nor in the second case the functions of the collar will be implemented.

Approximate collar sizes for children are presented in the table:

How to wear it correctly for torticollis + video

It is advisable that a doctor put the splint on for the first time. He will also instruct parents on how to properly apply the splint. There should be a collar dimple under the baby's chin. The splint is fastened at the back with Velcro: it is important that the fit is not tight - 1–1.5 cm. To make sure that the collar is fastened correctly, place your finger between the splint and your neck: it should fit freely into this gap. The splint should completely cover the neck, with the cheeks and chin positioned above it.

Note! The device will be more effective if you wear it after a massage or physical therapy session.

How long should you wear it?

How long should the product be worn? In case of congenital injuries, the Shants collar is put on immediately; the wearing period is usually 1 month. Your doctor will recommend the optimal amount of time to wear the collar each day, which can range from a few minutes to 24 hours. His decision depends on the severity of the injury, age and other individual characteristics of the small patient.

Product care

The collar inevitably gets dirty, especially in babies older than 6 months. The creators have provided a removable cover that can be washed by hand in cold water. It is dried flat to retain its shape. It is not recommended to machine dry the cover or dry it near heat sources - this may cause deformation.

Possible complications

An incorrectly selected collar or deviations from the rules for its use will only cause harm. Do not make mistakes when using the tire, they can lead to serious consequences:

If you violate the rules of wearing a collar or use it for other purposes, muscle tissue may atrophy. For example, a two-month-old child is usually already able to hold his head up, but due to improper use of the collar, the muscles weaken and the child lags behind in physical development.
Treatment should not be delayed in order to avoid irreversible consequences for the baby’s facial muscles. They can become distorted and become asymmetrical, which will affect the child’s appearance. It is necessary to purchase the collar on the same day that the doctor prescribed treatment.
The tight fit of the collar prevents normal breathing, destabilizes blood circulation, and causes irritation and prickly heat. Adjust the degree of fit using the Velcro fastener.
The use of homemade collars is strictly prohibited. They can injure the child’s fragile vertebrae, moreover, they will harm the spinal cord.

The Shants collar for newborns allows you to stop and correct developmental features in a short time.

After a difficult birth, newborns may experience birth trauma, which is characterized by persistently incorrect head position, curvature of the neck muscles, and disorders of the central nervous system. The same disorders can be caused by pathologies of pregnancy.

To correct the disorder in infants, a special soft splint is used, which was invented by a doctor from Germany, Schantz. Such a device, but of a slightly different design, is now widely used to fix the neck for injuries of the upper spine in people of all ages.

A natural question that arises among the parents of a child is what is the Shants collar for and how to wear it.

Indications for wearing a Shants collar

Various pathologies of intrauterine development, manifested in the formation of the skeleton, are diagnosed in the first weeks of life. If the pediatrician notices certain disturbances in the development of the child, he prescribes the newborn to wear a Shants collar. What is it and why is it needed?

Technically, this is a simple fixation that allows you to relieve the sore spot, relieve tension from the muscles and vertebrae, transferring the weight of the head to an artificial structure.

The purpose of such a device is to correct the condition of the cervical vertebrae, which allows blood circulation to return to the physiological norm and creates conditions for the proper development of the child.

The collar (collar, as mothers often call it) fixes the child’s head and neck in the correct position, and constant warmth eliminates discomfort from muscle tension.

The doctor prescribes the use of the Shants collar to correct the following conditions:
Diagnosed postpartum cranial injury, which arose as a result of rapid labor, high weight of the baby, as a result of injuries received during too fast or too long labor. In these cases, the orthopedic collar is immediately put on by neonatologists present at the birth;
Manifestations of brain dysfunction as a consequence of birth trauma. The pediatrician notes excessive lethargy, weak muscle tone, and immature reflexes. Diagnosis of the condition is noted by a pediatric neurologist in the first weeks of life, the collar is prescribed and put on by the doctor;
Excessive excitability after birth trauma or due to developmental disorders. It manifests itself in excessive excitability, the child screams sharply, arches, his face turns red, his hands and chin tremble;
In case of congenital pathology of the development of the cervical spine or injury to this department during obstetrics (short neck condition).

The use of a Shants splint relieves the spine and restores normal cerebral blood flow. Only a specialized doctor can prescribe a Shants collar for correction. You need to wear it as long as necessary to treat the pathology, as prescribed - otherwise the neck muscles will become too weak and will not correspond to the physiological norm for development - the child will not hold his head up in a timely manner.

Putting on a Shants splint on your own without consulting a doctor is prohibited.

Shants splint for torticollis

Signs of torticollis

The first manifestations of impaired development of the cervical muscles will either be noticeable after childbirth or may appear during the first weeks.

During the massage, the mother or specialist will be able to feel the excessive muscle tension, which feels like a tightness. There are several other types of congenital torticollis:

Sprengel's disease;
a short neck, in which the head rotates heavily; the child only squints his eyes at the sound, unable to turn his head. The chin rests directly on the chest, and the hair grows low on the back of the head.

If short neck syndrome is not diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is not undertaken, the child does not hold his head up for a long time.

Causes of torticollis

A doctor can diagnose positional torticollis in a newborn - the simplest form of pathology, the cause of which is considered to be the incorrect position of the child in the crib.

Shants' orthopedic collar holds the child's head in the correct position and allows the muscle to develop correctly. For treatment, the doctor additionally prescribes.

Rules for selecting a Shants collar

Only a doctor can prescribe wearing a splint; he will also tell you how to choose the size of the splint you need and how to put it on.

Shants collars are bought in orthopedic salons; in difficult cases, craftsmen make the required collar according to the child’s measurements according to the doctor’s instructions, using the sizes selected by him (with a versatile splint for torticollis).

The main dimensions for choosing an orthopedic collar are the distance from the baby’s collarbone to the angle of the lower jaw and the volume of the neck.

A mismatched splint size for a newborn is unacceptable - a splint that is too large will not give the desired effect, and a splint that is too small will not allow the child to breathe properly.

Typically, the width of the splint ranges from 30 to 50 mm; with severe torticollis, one side of the collar will be wider than the other. An orthopedic collar is not selected according to age - children are all different, and for a therapeutic effect, strict compliance with the individual sizes of the child and the selected design must be achieved.

The price at which you can buy a collar starts at 500 rubles; a made-to-measure collar will cost more. You can choose from a large assortment of different manufacturers, good reviews about the products

What is the tire made of?

The cervical collar consists of an elastic base (special medical polyurethane sewn into a non-removable cover) and a washable fabric on top. The cover is made of cotton, it is easy to wash and does not act as an allergen.

There is an adjustable fastener at the back that allows you to adjust the size when putting on the collar; if worn for a long time, the splint will definitely need to be changed as the child grows.

Children's and adult collars serve similar purposes (unloading and fixation), but are made of different materials; the collar for adults is stiffer.

The children's collar is elastic and soft in the hands, when compressed it restores its shape, there is Velcro at the end of the collar, which makes it quick and easy to put on the Shants collar.

Putting on an orthopedic collar

As the instructions prescribe, the design should be worn directly on the body; the collar should not interfere with breathing or, conversely, be pulled to one side. It may be intended for continuous use; it may be prescribed to be worn at night, or for several hours during the day. A properly dressed cover should fasten loosely at the back, with the chin resting on a special recess on the collar. The mother's finger should fit between the baby's neck and the cover.

A doctor should show parents how to properly put on a splint for the first time.

Problems that may arise for parents after putting it on for constant wearing are difficulties with feeding (the child will have difficulty opening his mouth).

Tire care

The orthopedic collar should always be clean; this is important for infants who do not yet know how to eat carefully, and saliva may flow onto the collar.

Throughout the day, the fabric of the cover can be cleaned with damp sanitary napkins, hand washed in warm water using a neutral detergent, and dried flat.

The use of automatic washing machines and dryers is not recommended for caring for orthopedic structures.

The appearance of a baby is a sacrament that the expectant mother awaits with trepidation. Modern medicine, long before the baby is born, determines exactly how he will enter this life: through normal childbirth or through surgery (Caesarean section).

Unfortunately, doctors are sometimes powerless to foresee all the nuances of the upcoming birth, and then the child receives.

The main thing in this situation is not to despair, soberly assess the danger and take the necessary measures.

What is a Shants collar?

The advantage in this situation is the plasticity of all systems of the newborn (including bone and joint), so timely prescribed treatment can completely relieve the child from the consequences of birth trauma.

Visually, the product is perceived precisely as a collar, hence its alternative name.

The tire composition is simple:

base in the form of foam rubber, the structure of which allows you to provide the shape and rigidity of the collar;
Velcro fastener for optimal fixation of the splint;
fabric covering of the collar that protects the newborn's neck from chafing.

Indications

Indications for using the Shants splint in children are:

orthopedic defects of the neck;
disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system.

In the first case we are talking about:

torticollis;
short neck syndrome;
damage to the cervical vertebrae during childbirth.

The second group of reasons includes:

central nervous system depression syndrome (or, on the contrary, hyperexcitability);
movement disorder syndrome.

How to choose a cervical collar for a newborn?

The place of purchase of the product is orthopedic salons (depending on the locality, they may be called stores or centers).

devices with an inflatable mechanism;
fasteners made of metal or plastic material.

The collar you purchase must be ideally suited to the child’s parameters.

For this purpose you can:

make an individual order for the production of a Shants tire;
buy a finished product according to the measurements of the doctor who determined the size of the collar for the newborn.

How to choose the right size

The most obvious impact of the Shants tire occurs when:

eliminating neck pain in babies,
normalization of blood flow through the vessels of the neck,
improving the child's well-being.

An incorrectly selected tire size not only deprives the product of its functionality, this circumstance can aggravate the baby’s illness and cause a number of side effects:

vomiting
dizziness and weakness,
fainting,
pain in the neck.

Having proven the importance of accurately determining the size of the product, we emphasize that the size of the Shants collar is determined by the doctor.

The only thing a mother can do is double-check the doctor’s measurements so that she won’t be plagued by doubts later. We'll tell you how to do this below.

How to correctly take measurements for a collar?

The baby is placed on his back on a flat surface so that the newborn's spinal column is level.
The exact collar size is the distance from the baby's chin to the middle of the collarbone.
Depending on the baby’s height and the length of his neck, the resulting figure can be 3.4 or 5 centimeters.
The length of the collar for children under 1 month of age ranges from 28 to 32 cm, for older newborns - 33 cm.

How to properly put a collar on a child?

We will indicate 3 basic principles that will help to properly secure the product on the child’s neck:

Velcro fastener secures the collar strictly behind the neck, in its center;
there is a recess in the splint, this is a place for the newborn’s chin (thus, the lower part of the collar rests on the bones of the collarbone, the upper part supports the chin);
Do not allow the tire to be overtightened(this slows down the blood flow and contributes to suffocation), or weakened (in this case the product loses its medicinal meaning).

Optimal fixation of the splint assumes that the mother’s finger can fit between it and the baby’s neck.

Be that as it may, the first fitting of the splint should be carried out in the presence of a doctor, since even the simple tips given earlier can be understood differently by mothers.

For some, the gap between the tire and the newborn’s neck seems such that a finger can easily “fly” there; for others, it seems that a finger should fit into the gap with some effort.

The mother’s task is to remember the correct position of the splint and subsequently accurately reproduce the correct fixation of the collar, in which the baby does not feel discomfort.

How to wear a newborn collar?

Some “well-wishers” like to remind this horror story to mothers whose babies are recommended to wear a Shants collar.

Due to some circumstances, they are forced to remove these spirals, and... nothing bad happens. After a year, the three necks of female giraffes take on their normal appearance, and they are no longer different from ordinary people.

Depending on the reason why the newborn is prescribed a Shants collar, the time of wearing the orthopedic product can range from several minutes a day to constant wearing for a month.

Only a doctor can set this time correctly in each case.

Periods when the collar must be removed:

during water procedures;
during the massage.

How to care for Shants collar?

The delicate skin of a newborn requires special attention, so caring for the Shants collar is a solution to the hygiene problem.

Keeping the product clean is caring for it. To avoid deformation of the tire, the product is washed:

manually,
in cool water.

The collar should dry naturally.