A cervical collar (also neck brace) is an orthopeic piece of medical equipment used to support a patient's spinal cord and head. A cervical collar can help realign one's spinal cord and relieve pain, although it should only be worn for as long as the doctor states, since collars are usually not worn for long periods of time. After cervical spinal fusion, which can include joining metal plates or removing spinal disc from the vertebrae, a patient might need a cervical collar to support their neck during recovery.