Which brace is the Sterno-OCCIPITO-MANDIBULAR Immobilizer?

• A. SOMI Brace
• B. Philadelphia Collar Brace
• C. Forester Brace
• D. Milwaukee Brace

Answer: (A)

Think of the Sterno-Occipito-Mandibular Immobilizer as a rigid neck support that anchors at the sternum, the occipital bone, and around the mandible to lock the head and neck in place. This tri-point construction limits all neck motions—flexion, extension, and rotation—by tying the head to the upper chest and skull, providing the most secure immobilization for the cervical spine. That specific design is what defines this brace, so it’s the one used when this level of head-and-neck stabilization is required. The Philadelphia collar offers lighter neck support without sternum anchoring, and Milwaukee and Forester braces are generally used for other conditions such as scoliosis or different spinal immobilization needs, not the sterno-occipito-mandibular setup.