Eastbourne Miami-J Protocol: a Pilot Study for the Care of Cervical Injuries in the Community.

UNLABELLED: PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The aim of this pilot study was to develop The Eastbourne Miami-J Protocol for care of cervical injuries within the community. Led by orthopaedic senior practitioners, a multidisciplinary approach was developed to provide education and collar care for patients on a weekly basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 51 patients (17 male and 33 female), mean age 74 years (21 to 95) with CT confirmed cervical injuries during November 2010 and May 2014 followed the Eastbourne Miami-J Protocol. RESULTS Patients required collar care on average for 7.25 weeks. Thirty-two patients had single level cervical injuries with C2 the commonest. Complications included: 6 patients with psychosocial issues; 10 patients with skin erythema due to ill-fitting collars and 2 patients with skin breakdown requiring dressings. CONCLUSION The Eastbourne Miami-J protocol demonstrates that a multidisciplinary approach, championed by the casting department, can provide care for patients with cervical injuries within the community.

KEY WORDS: cervical spine, C-spine, cervical collar, community, rehabilitation.