An orthopedic device, in the form of a cervical collar having reduced vascular obstruction, has less contact with, and produces less pressure on, the sternocleidomasteoidus area of the neck, thus transferring pressure away from the veins of the neck (vena jugularis externa and interna) to other portions of the neck. Specifically, the shape of the cervical collar at the anterior portion thereof, when applied to the neck of a patient, leaves a clearance of the neck veins by way of fold lines or recessed surfaces provided along a posterior surface of the anterior portion of the collar. The fold lines or recessed surfaces are generally arranged perpendicularly on either side of an open access area defined in the anterior cervical collar portion. Fold lines allow the generally rigid plastic of a cervical collar to naturally curve into a shape that provides the appropriate clearance for the neck veins.
