Cervical collars and braces in athletic brachial plexus injury and excessive cervical motion prevention: a review of the literature.

A review of the literature was conducted to find publications relating to neck collars / rolls and prevention of sports injury, particularly burners and other cervical spine injuries, as well as in preventing excessive motion of the cervical spine. MEDLINE (1970-2005), Cinahl (1982-2005), Alt Health Watch (1990-2005), AMED (1995-2005), and the Index to Chiropractic Literature (1985-2005) databases were searched. To date there has been very little documented study into the ability of cervical collars/neck rolls to prevent excessive motion of the cervical spine or to prevent injury. Neck rolls/braces are capable of limiting cervical hyperextension under laboratory conditions, but the same can not be said for their ability to limit lateral flexion. Only one empirical study could be identified that looked at the ability of a collar to prevent burners and other neck injuries in athletes. Further laboratory and on-field studies are clearly needed.