Topphil Cervical Immobiliser: a Rigid Collar With a Tracheostomy Opening at the Front
This Topphil cervical immobiliser stops the neck bending, nodding and turning, so an injured or recently operated neck is held in one position while it settles, and it has an opening at the front of the shell. That opening is what separates it from an ordinary hard collar: it gives access to the windpipe without taking the collar off, and it lets air move against the skin under the chin, which is where a rigid collar causes most of its trouble.
It is made by Dynamic Techno Medical and sized rather than one-size. It is the collar for somebody who will be in a rigid collar for a while, for anybody with a tracheostomy, and for anybody whose skin has already started to object to a closed shell. Our pharmacist sizes it from two measurements and fits it at the counter, because on a rigid collar the fit decides whether it helps the neck or marks the skin under the chin by the end of the week.
What the Front Opening Is For
Access to the windpipe. Where there is a tracheostomy, or where there is any prospect of needing one, a collar that stays on while the front of the neck is reached is the only sensible choice.
Air against the skin. A closed shell traps sweat under the chin all day. That is where pressure sores form, and a review pooling 25 studies found a 7% rate of pressure sores with prolonged hard collar use, with difficulty swallowing among the other common problems.
Somewhere for the chin to breathe in Nairobi heat, which sounds minor and is the reason people stop wearing collars they have been told to keep on.
And a window on the skin. You can see and feel the skin under the chin through the opening without unfastening anything, which makes the daily check something that actually happens.
Fitting It
Sit down, head facing straight forward and level, chin neither tucked into the chest nor lifted. The position the collar is fitted in is the position it holds for as long as it is worn.
Seat the chin in the rest first, then bring the shell round and fasten at the back. Even pressure, firm enough to keep the collar from riding up or sliding round, loose enough to get a finger under the edge.
Check the ears sit level and the head is not tipped to one side, and check the opening is centred on the front of the neck rather than off to one side.
If swallowing becomes difficult the chin piece is usually too high. Tell our pharmacist rather than persevering with it.
The Daily Checks
Four places, every day: under the chin, the back of the head, both shoulders where the shell rests, and the collar bones. A red mark that stays red when you press it is the early sign of a pressure sore, and it needs the fit adjusted and our doctor told that day.
Through the front opening, look and feel as well. The skin at the front of the neck is the part a closed collar hides, and this one leaves it in plain view.
Keep the pads dry and wipe the shell rather than soaking it, and let it dry fully before it goes back on. Where our doctor has approved taking it off to wash, do it at the same time each day so the skin gets a predictable break.
Where It Sits Among Our Six Collars
Below it: the Dyna hard cervical collar, a closed one-piece shell and the least expensive rigid collar we keep. For most people who need a rigid collar for a short, defined period that is the right buy.
Alongside it: the two-piece cervical immobilizer, which holds more firmly because the front and back shells strap to each other, and holds less air against the skin.
And well below both: a soft neck collar, for mild neck pain and stiffness. For an ordinary stiff neck, and for everyday whiplash, current guidance is to keep moving rather than wear a collar at all, so please ask our pharmacist before buying any of the rigid three.
Tell our doctor what happened, what they have been told to wear and for how long, and we will match it rather than guess.
Is a Topphil Cervical Immobiliser Right for You?
This collar suits injured and post-operative necks, under instruction. Please speak to our doctor before buying one if any of these apply:
- Nobody has examined the neck. Please see our doctor or go to a hospital first. Whether anything is injured comes before which collar to buy.
- There is numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or a hand, or trouble with the legs or with passing water. Go to a hospital today rather than buying a collar.
- The neck was hurt in a fall from height, a dive, a high-speed crash or a heavy impact, or the person is over 65. Those need assessing rather than supporting.
- There is a tracheostomy, or one is planned. Tell our doctor and the nursing team, because the collar has to be matched to the tube and the dressings.
- It is for an ordinary stiff or aching neck. Ring us. Keeping the neck moving is the better answer and our pharmacist will say so.
Our pharmacists will size it, fit it and show you the checks through the opening, and our doctor will say whether a rigid collar is needed and for how long.
Where to Buy a Cervical Immobiliser in Kenya
Order online and we deliver countrywide, or collect from our pharmacy at Kahawa Sukari Shopping Center, Nairobi. We send orders to Nairobi and every neighbourhood around it — the CBD, Westlands, Parklands, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Runda, Rosslyn, Kitisuru, Lower Kabete, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Karen, Langata, South B, South C, Eastleigh, Buruburu, Donholm, Embakasi, Ngong Road, Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman, Githurai, Ruaka, Banana Hill, Two Rivers, Village Market and Pride Lands — and across Kiambu, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Limuru and Ngong.
Beyond the capital we deliver to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Athi River, Kitengela, Kajiado, Naivasha, Narok, Kericho, Bomet, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Webuye, Kitale, Nandi Hills, Iten, Kapenguria, Embu, Meru, Chuka, Kerugoya, Murang’a, Othaya, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Maralal, Isiolo, Marsabit, Moyale, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Lodwar, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Emali, Kibwezi, Voi, Taveta, Wundanyi, Mariakani, Diani, Ukunda, Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi, Lamu and Hola. Send us the neck and chin measurements, and tell us whether there is a tracheostomy, and we will match the collar to it.
Across Africa, ask us before you order. We have sent orders to Uganda, Tanzania, Somaliland and as far as Malawi, and we will quote for Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and the rest of the continent. Tell us the destination and we will confirm any import paperwork before the parcel leaves us.
Living abroad? Order from wherever you are and we deliver here in Kenya. Kenyans in the UK, the United States, Canada, South Africa and the Gulf order from us regularly for a parent or relative at home, and this is one of the things they order most. Tell us the address and we will deliver and set it up.
Why Buy Your a Cervical Immobiliser from HealthAlone Kenya?
HealthAlone is a pharmacist-led health ecosystem licensed by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, and our stock is original, sealed and correctly stored. Kahawa Sukari is a real counter with real pharmacists behind it.
A rigid collar is only as good as its fit and the skin underneath it. Our pharmacists size it, fit it and show you the checks through the opening, and our doctor will say whether a rigid collar is needed at all.
It is one more step in our vision: building Africa’s most trusted health ecosystem, accessible to everyone, everywhere.
FAQs
What is the opening at the front for?
Access to the windpipe without removing the collar, which matters where there is a tracheostomy or the prospect of one. It also lets air reach the skin under the chin, and it lets you see and feel that skin for the daily check without unfastening anything.
Do I need the opening if there is no tracheostomy?
Many people choose it anyway for the airflow. A closed shell traps sweat under the chin, which is where pressure sores form, and in Nairobi heat that is the commonest reason somebody stops wearing a collar they have been told to keep on.
How does it compare with the plain hard collar?
The Dyna hard collar is a closed one-piece shell and the least expensive rigid collar we keep, and for most people needing a rigid collar for a short defined period it is the right buy. This one adds the front opening. The two-piece immobilizer holds more firmly than either, and holds less air against the skin.
How do I fit it?
Sit down with the head facing straight forward and level, chin neither tucked nor lifted. Seat the chin in the rest, bring the shell round, fasten at the back with even pressure, firm enough to keep it from riding up and loose enough to get a finger under the edge. Then check the ears are level and the opening is centred on the front of the neck.
Why does the head position matter when fitting it?
Because the position the collar is fitted in is the position it holds for as long as it is worn. A collar fastened with the chin lifted holds the neck extended all day, which is uncomfortable within an hour and unhelpful for longer.
Where do I check the skin?
Four places every day: under the chin, the back of the head, both shoulders where the shell rests, and the collar bones. A red mark that stays red when pressed is the early sign of a pressure sore. Through the front opening you can look and feel at the front of the neck as well.
How common are pressure sores with a rigid collar?
A review pooling 25 studies found a 7% rate with prolonged hard collar use, with difficulty swallowing among the other common problems, and concluded there is real harm from prolonged hard collar immobilisation even in younger patients. A daily check and a correct fit prevent most of it.
It is hard to swallow. What should I do?
That usually means the chin piece is set too high. Tell our pharmacist rather than persevering and we will reset it or change the size.
How long should it be worn?
As long as our doctor says and no longer. A neck held still for weeks stiffens and the muscles that hold the head up weaken, so the end date is part of the instruction.
Should I wear a rigid collar for an ordinary stiff neck?
Please ask our pharmacist first, because the answer is usually no. For everyday neck pain and ordinary whiplash, current guidance is to keep moving and carry on as usual rather than wear a collar.
What size do I need?
Tell our pharmacist the measurement round the neck and the distance from the point of the chin to the top of the breastbone with the head level. Too tall forces the chin up; too short leaves the head unsupported.
Can it be cleaned?
Keep the pads dry, wipe the shell rather than soaking it, and let it dry fully before it goes back on. Where our doctor has approved removing it to wash, do it at the same time each day so the skin gets a predictable break.
Where can I buy a Topphil cervical immobiliser in Kenya?
Order from HealthAlone online and we deliver countrywide, or collect from our pharmacy at Kahawa Sukari Shopping Center, Nairobi. We deliver across Nairobi — the CBD, Westlands, Parklands, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Karen, Langata, South B, South C, Eastleigh, Buruburu, Donholm, Embakasi, Kasarani, Roysambu, Zimmerman, Githurai and Ruaka — and across Kiambu, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Kikuyu, Limuru and Ngong, as well as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Machakos, Kitengela, Naivasha, Narok, Kericho, Kisii, Bungoma, Kakamega, Kitale, Embu, Meru, Chuka, Murang’a, Nyahururu, Nanyuki, Isiolo, Garissa, Lodwar, Kitui, Voi, Kilifi, Malindi and Diani. Send us the neck and chin measurements with the order.
