No, the halo brace should not cause pain. Some kids get headaches, especially while eating, but this usually goes away after the child gets used to the brace. If the pain continues or gets worse, the surgeon may adjust the pins to make the child more comfortable.
How to avoid falling with a Halo brace?
What is a halo brace?
How do I swallow food, liquid, and pills in a halo brace?
How do I sleep in a halo brace?
How long do you wear a Halo brace?
Is it normal to feel tired after wearing a Halo brace?
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About this website
How do you sleep in a halo brace?
It may take some time to get used to sleeping in a halo, and your child will require assistance getting into the bed. Nighttime suggestions include sleeping in a reclining chair and lying on the back with a small pillow or foam wedge. Eventually, sleeping on a side or on the stomach may be possible.
How long does a halo brace stay on?
The ring is attached by four bars to a stiff, lightweight vest that fits around your chest. This keeps your neck and spine moving as one with your body so the spinal injury can heal. Most people wear a halo for 6 to 12 weeks. You can expect your neck and back to feel stiff or sore at first.
Does a halo brace leave scars?
All the pin sites will scab over within 24 to 48 hours. Caring for these pin-site openings is easy because you no longer need to clean the pins. Scars will remain but should fade considerably. Once the halo is removed, your child may need to wear a collar for some time, as recommended by the surgeon.
Why would you need a halo brace?
A halo-vest is a brace that is used to immobilize and protect the cervical spine and neck after surgery or accident. The halo is a ring that surrounds the head and is attached by pins to the outer portion of the skull; however, some Halos are pinless but are only used in certain situations.
How do you wash your hair with a halo brace?
Washing your hair Gently ease your hair through the top of the halo brace. Use a spray attachment from the sink or bathtub, or a pitcher of water to wet your hair. Lean over the sink or bathtub and have someone else wash your hair. Wash your hair and rinse it well.
Can you drive with halo traction?
Do not drive a vehicle or ride a bike while you wear your halo brace. You also may have limits on heavy lifting and exercise.
How much does a halo brace weight?
The halo vest weighs about 5 to 7 pounds (as much as a small bag of flour). It should fit snugly (you should be able to fit one hand between the vest and your abdomen or belly area). Don't loosen or adjust the halo vest by yourself. Talk to your doctor if you think it needs to be adjusted.
What does a halo look like?
Seeing bright circles or rings around a light source, like headlights, are known as halos. Halos around lights are most noticeable at night or when you're in dim or dark areas.
How is halo traction attached?
The lightweight metal ring (halo) is attached to the child's skull with several small pins. These pins are inserted into the bone of the forehead to prevent movement of the child's head. The pulley system has weights attached to the halo which slowly and gradually pulls the head and spine in opposing directions.
What does a halo do for scoliosis?
Halo-gravity traction is a method of gently stretching and straightening a severely compressed or curved spine. The procedure is typically a first step in correcting severe scoliosis, kyphosis, and other spine deformities.
What is the purpose of a halo?
A halo is a medical device used to stabilize the cervical spine after traumatic injuries to the neck, or after spine surgery. The apparatus consists of a halo vest, stabilization bars, and a metal ring encircling the patient's head and fixated to the skull with multiple pins.
What is an orthopedic halo?
A halo brace is an orthotic, or support, that helps immobilize and protect the bones in the neck (cervical spine) following an injury or surgery. The halo brace consists of a halo (ring), a body jacket (vest) and rigid uprights (rods).
When is a halo necessary for neck fractures?
At times a halo is needed to stabilize the cervical spine after surgery. The role of the halo is to hold the spine immobile until the fusion matures. Fixation of the halo to a patient's head relies on a series of four titanium "pins" which are equally spaced around the ring.
What is the purpose of a halo?
A halo is a medical device used to stabilize the cervical spine after traumatic injuries to the neck, or after spine surgery. The apparatus consists of a halo vest, stabilization bars, and a metal ring encircling the patient's head and fixated to the skull with multiple pins.
Can you fully recover from a broken neck?
A broken neck is serious and requires immediate medical attention. If a person injures their spinal cord with the fracture, the injury can cause paralysis or death. In many cases, however, people can recover from a broken neck with a brace, surgery, or other treatment.
How Do I Care For My Halo Brace?
1. Clean your pins each day. Clean around your pins 2 times each day to prevent infection. Use a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water...
How Do I Care For My Skin and hair?
1. Take sponge baths. To help keep your vest dry, take sponge baths or sit in a tub of shallow water. You can use a hair dryer on a cool setting to...
How Do I Eat and Drink in A Halo Brace?
1. Carry a cup and straws with you. This may make it easier for you to drink without bending your neck. 2. Cut food into small pieces. Take small b...
What Do I Need to Know About Doing My Daily Activities?
1. Move slowly and carefully to avoid falls. The size and bulk of the halo brace will affect your balance. You will feel clumsy and awkward for a f...
How Do I Sleep in A Halo Brace?
1. Try naps in a reclining chair. You may be able to sleep only on your back at first. In time you will learn to sleep on your side or stomach. 2....
When Should I Seek Immediate Care?
1. The skin on your scalp or around your pins is swollen, red, or leaking fluid. 2. You have new or worsening pain. 3. You have fallen, and your br...
When Should I Contact My Healthcare Provider?
1. Your vest feels too tight or too loose or causes pain. 2. Your vision is blurry, or you are seeing double. 3. You have trouble swallowing. 4. Yo...
What Does A Halo Brace Look like?
The halo brace is made up of: 1. A metal ring that circles your head without touching your skull. 2. Pins that go through the metal ring and are sc...
Do's and Do Nots of Having A Halo Brace
1. Do lie flat if the vest needs to be opened for any reason. 2. Do close and secure the vest after opening it in front before turning over to open...
How Do I Care For My Halo Brace?
Taking care of your halo brace includes cleaning and checking the pin sites, and the skin under the vest. It also includes checking the pin and bol...
Where Can I Go For Support?
1. Having a spinal cord injury is life changing for you and your family. Accepting that you have a spinal cord injury is hard. You and those close...
Using a Halo Brace after Spinal Cord Injury - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 12 Oct 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 25 Oct 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Oct 2022 ...
Halo Brace: What to Expect at Home - Alberta
Your Recovery. Your halo brace is keeping your neck and spine from moving while your spine heals. You will wear the halo brace all the time. The ring (or halo) around your head is held in place by four screws (or pins) in your skull.
Halo Brace (Discharge Care) - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 1 Nov 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 25 Oct 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Oct 2022 ...
Welcome to the University Health Network
Welcome to the University Health Network
Why do you need a Halo brace?
Staying in bed may cause many pressure sores, blood clots, and other health problems. The halo brace lets you get out of bed and start moving sooner after your injury.
How do I care for my halo brace?
Taking care of your halo brace includes cleaning and checking the pin sites, and the skin under the vest. It also includes checking the pin and bolt adjustments.
How to help someone with spinal cord injury?
Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. Let them help you. Your caregiver can help your family better understand how to support a person with a spinal cord injury. You may want to join a support group. This is a group of people who also have spinal cord injuries. Ask your caregiver for the names and numbers ...
What Does a Halo Brace Look Like?
At first sight, a halo vest looks like quite an unwieldy contraption. It consists of a metal ring that goes around the upper skull without touching it. At various points around this ring are holes to insert pins which are used to fasten the halo brace to the skull.
How long does a Halo brace last?
It is designed to hold the neck still and give time for the injured area to heal and is normally worn for between six and twelve weeks.
How is a Halo Brace Attached?
The pins are the vital part of the halo brace and these keep the contraption in place and prevent the patient from moving their neck. This can be quite uncomfortable and some patients experience pain in the area where the pins are attached to the skull.
What is the best medical equipment for spinal cord injury?
If the spinal cord injury is high up around the cervical/neck region, one of the most important pieces of medical equipment that is commonly used is a halo brace or halo vest. This is designed to make sure that the patient cannot move their neck after an accident or surgery.
Why do you clean your skin under a Halo brace?
It’s important to clean the skin under the vest to prevent sores and irritation. The patient should avoid strenuous exercise whilst wearing the halo brace but that doesn’t mean exercise in all forms needs to be avoided. Physicians may advise to patient to try and walk a little each day.
How long does it take to wear a Halo brace?
The halo brace is meant to keep the patient from being able to move their neck back and forth or from side to side. It is usually worn from between 6 and 12 weeks depending on the extent of the injury.
What happens when the spinal cord is damaged?
When the spinal cord is damaged, it can have a profound impact on the individual and their ability to function. Any serious spinal injury requires immediate medical intervention to ensure the best outcome.
How is a Halo brace applied?
A halo brace is applied in a controlled setting, such as an operating room. Your child will be given an anesthetic for the procedure so that he/she won’t feel pain. The X-rays used to determine the child’s need for a halo are reviewed in the operating room. They will be available to the doctor during the halo placement.
How long does a child stay in a Halo brace?
Your surgeon will determine the amount of time your child will be in the halo based on X-rays. This can range from several weeks to several months. The type of surgery, individual health considerations and postoperative course all play a part in the length of time spent in a halo brace.
How does a halo stay steady?
They will be available to the doctor during the halo placement. The halo stays steady with pins that are threaded through the ring and anchored to the head (unless the physician is using a pinless halo). The halo and its jacket and rods hold the head still, so that the bones can heal.
How are pins in a halo secured?
The pins in the halo are secured to the skull, which prevents any motion in the neck. The pins are inserted using a special tool and then tightened securely. The vest is fitted based on body size and attached to the halo with the supporting bars.
What to do after halo surgery?
If this occurs, contact your health provider. After surgery, you will be given a special screwdriver and wrench. They must be attached to the halo uprights at all times, as they will be used when removing the halo. In case of emergency, it is essential that these tools be available for prompt removal of the halo.
Can a child have pain after waking up with a Halo brace?
Your child may have pain at the pin sites or at the surgical incisions after waking up in the recovery room with the halo brace. Pain medication will be dispensed while your child is still in the hospital, based on the doctor’s orders and individual needs.
What is a Halo brace?
Your halo brace is keeping your neck and spine from moving while your spine heals. You will wear the halo brace all the time. The ring (or halo) around your head is held in place by four screws (or pins) in your skull. The ring is attached by four bars to a stiff, lightweight vest that fits around your chest.
How to clean halo brace pins?
Gently rinse the pin sites daily with warm, soapy water and pat them dry. Make sure you understand how to care for your halo brace and the pin sites before you leave the hospital.
What to avoid lifting when you have a neck strain?
This may include a child, heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, or a vacuum cleaner.
Can you drive with a Halo brace?
You will not be able to drive while you are wearing the halo brace. Avoid riding in a car for long periods of time. If you must ride in a car for a long distance, stop often to get out and walk. You may need to learn how to safely get in and out of cars.
How to avoid falling with a Halo brace?
Move slowly and carefully to avoid falls. The size and bulk of the halo brace will affect your balance. You will feel clumsy and awkward for a few weeks as you get used to moving with the halo brace. Rest when needed. It is normal to feel more tired than usual.
What is a halo brace?
A halo brace is a metal brace that circles and attaches to your skull. It is used to keep the bones in your cervical spine (neck) from moving. Pins screwed into the skin above your eyebrows keep the halo in place. Metal rods connect the halo to a plastic vest worn over your chest and back. Halo braces are commonly used after a neck fracture or dislocation. Most people wear a halo brace for 8 to 12 weeks. Choose a family member or friend to be trained to remove your vest. Only trained caregivers may remove your vest.
How do I swallow food, liquid, and pills in a halo brace?
Carry a cup and straws with you. This may make it easier for you to drink without bending your neck.
How do I sleep in a halo brace?
Try naps in a reclining chair. You may be able to sleep only on your back at first. In time you will learn to sleep on your side or stomach.
How long do you wear a Halo brace?
Most people wear a halo brace for 8 to 12 weeks. Choose a family member or friend to be trained to remove your vest. Only trained caregivers may remove your vest.
Is it normal to feel tired after wearing a Halo brace?
It is normal to feel more tired than usual. Ask your healthcare provider when you can return to work or school. Do not drive a vehicle or ride a bike while you wear your halo brace. You also may have limits on heavy lifting and exercise. Ask your healthcare provider about other limits on daily activities.
