How is a halo inserted?
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. 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.
How do you put on a halo brace?
Halo vest size is determined by measuring the circumference of the chest at the xiphoid process. Identify the pin-site locations while holding the ring in place. The ring should be placed one-half centimeters above the eyebrows. Make sure the ring is centered, with equal space from ring to cranium circumferentially.
How is halo traction attached?
How does halo-gravity traction work? A surgeon attaches a lightweight metal ring (halo) to the child's skull with small pins. The number of pins depend on the child's size; more pins are used for larger children. The pins go into the bone of the forehead to keep the child's head from moving.
Do you need a wrench for a halo vest?
The wrench for removing the halo-vest should always be taped to the front of the child's vest in case of emergency. Do not remove it. Your child will have X-rays taken during follow-up appointments to see how his neck is healing. Be sure to keep all follow-up appointments.
Are Halo braces painful?
Is a Halo Brace Painful? 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 do you sleep with a halo vest?
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.
Can you shower with a halo?
You cannot have a shower while in the halo vest. Sponge baths should be done daily while lying flat. The skin under the vest should be looked at daily during bathing for redness, sores or blisters. If redness, sores, or blisters are present, contact your halo nurse or spine surgeon.
How long does Halo surgery take?
Halo laser treatments can take between 30 and 60 minutes. Depending on the type of Halo treatment sought, nonablative or pro-ablative, the appointment time may increase to allow for the application of a topical anesthetic.
How do they remove a halo?
First, the doctor loosens the nuts on the vest and removes the uprights. Then, the nuts on the halo ring are loosened and a screwdriver is used to loosen the pins while someone is holding the ring. Once all the pins are loosened, the ring is lifted from the head. Long hair may complicate halo removal.
Can you drive with a halo vest?
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.
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.
What must the nurse ensure when positioning a patient with a halo vest?
Logroll patient onto their side and place your hands under the vest so the buckles do not catch on the bedding. Assist patient as needed to sitting position. Allow patient time to adjust to altered balance before standing.
How do you mount a halo ring?
How to Mount Halo RingsUse the 3M adhesive tape. 3m tape can found on the backside of your halo ring (available on most kits). Simply peel off the film covering, aim and mount! ... Epoxy. Simply spread epoxy along the backside of the halo and stick onto it's desired location. ... Use the beading wire method.
Can you wash your hair with a halo brace on?
Washing your hair Thread a towel through the bars of the halo brace and tuck it under the vest to keep the liner dry. Plastic wrap may help. 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.
Can you drive with a halo brace?
You cannot drive while your halo is in place. Always wear your seat belt. Bend at your hips, knees, and lower back when getting into and out of a car, and from sitting or standing.
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.
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...
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Do you keep your hair short around the pin sites?
Do keep your hair short around the pin sites.
Do you lie flat on a vest?
Do lie flat if the vest needs to be opened for any reason. Do close and secure the vest after opening it in front before turning over to open the back. Always have someone check the vest and the tightness of the pins before getting out of bed. Do keep your hair short around the pin sites.
What is under a halo vest?
Undergarments may include a stockinette, which is like a T-shirt underneath the vest. It is placed at the time of the vest and halo application. The vest may also be lined with sheepskin. Do not place additional clothing under the vest.
How to get used to halo?
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 to prevent a vest from spilling?
Be conscious of chewing thoroughly before swallowing. Try to avoid dropping food or fluids into the vest while eating or drinking. Crackers, crispy or flaky foods, and potato chips are susceptible to this. To help prevent spilling, place a towel or bib over the vest.
What should not come between the skin and the sheepskin of a vest?
Nothing should come between the skin and the sheepskin of the vest, including powders, talc, perfumes, lotions and ointments.
What are some good activities to do in a Halo?
Some safe play ideas for children include: Filling a large plastic box with dried beans and cups and spoons (no sandboxes) Painting, drawing and coloring. Fingernail painting.
Where do you roll on a bed?
Roll onto your side at the edge of the bed.
Can you wear a straw while wearing a Halo?
A straw may also be useful for young children who tend to tilt their head back while drinking liquids. They will not be able to do this while wearing a halo. Visiting restaurants during the postoperative period is allowed. However, for both children and adults, give special consideration to the possibility of choking.
How to keep a vest dry?
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 dry your vest if it gets wet. Use soap and water to clean your skin under the vest. Wipe the skin inside your vest with a damp cloth.
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 to keep a vest from itching?
Wipe the skin inside your vest with a damp cloth. Clean the skin under your vest as needed to prevent itching, rashes, and skin sores. Use a sprayer to wet and rinse your hair. Use the sprayer while you bend over a sink or bathtub. Cover your neck with a plastic bag to keep the vest liner dry. Check your skin each day.
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.
How long should you wear a Halo Vest?
Accepted conservative management of cervical spine instability requires the use of a halo vest for a period of three months. Studies have shown that only a small minority of patients (~2%) find this three-month period to be too long and will not tolerate the halo vest. During these three months, the physician will want to see ...
When was the Halo Vest invented?
In the late 1950s , the concept of the "halo vest" was first described. This technique is based on the attachment of the halo to a device worn around the patient's torso, rather than equipment attached to a hospital bed, to provide the needed force to immobilize the cervical spine.
What are the advantages of a Halo Vest?
The advantages of the halo vest include precise positional control and solid external stabilization of the cervical spine, ease of application, a low complication rate, minimal patient discomfort, and early patient mobilization . The halo vest has been shown to be extremely effective at preventing further neurological injury for patients who have sustained cervical spinal injuries. Studies have demonstrated excellent rates of healing after three months of halo vest use; however, in some cases there may be persistent instability from bony or ligamentous damage to the cervical spine and surgery could be necessary to ensure proper stabilization.
How long does it take for a Halo vest to heal?
Studies have demonstrated excellent rates of healing after three months of halo vest use; however, in some cases there may be persistent instability from bony or ligamentous damage to the cervical spine and surgery could be necessary to ensure proper stabilization.
Why do we need a Halo?
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 a halo bra?
A halo, also known as a "halo ring" or "halo crown," is a piece of equipment that encircles and is fixed to the head of a patient. This device is crucial for the management of a variety of conditions that destabilize the cervical spine. Halo traction brace. Used by permission.
Why does my head feel heavy after wearing a Halo vest?
After the vest is removed, some patients feel that their heads are heavy or wobbly due to weakening of neck muscles , which have not been used for some time. This resolves over the next few weeks.
How to wash a vest?
Washing under your vest can be accomplished with a damp washcloth or towel. Attach a string to the opposite corners of the wash cloth and pass under the vest, pull back and forth in a sawing motion in the chest area as well as your back. Occasionally, alcohol may be used to dampen the cloth in place of water. This will remove excess oil and keep the skin dry. Never use lotion, powder or soap under your vest. This may cause the liner to become matted and uncomfortable and may lead to skin problems. There may be days during which a helper is not available. On these days, it is important for you to continue your personal hygiene on your own.
How often should you adjust your Halo?
Halo adjustments are an essential and normal procedure. The initial adjustments usually take place in the hos-pital within the first 48 hours after the application. Thereafter, adjustments should be made on an “as needed” basis at regular intervals. It is recommended that you see your doctor at least once every two weeks for the duration of your treatment period, unless otherwise indicated. It is also recommended that you take with you all of the tools provided with your halo to the doctor’s oce for each visit.
What is a Halo Brace?
halo brace is used to immobilize your neck. Designed to be an external fixation device for the cervical and upper thoracic spine, the halo brace serves as a rigid frame that holds the head in a fixed position. It also alleviates much of the burden of supporting the head from the neck.
Can you be mobile on Halo?
Although the halo device allows you the opportunity to be mobile during your recovery, it may at times be dicult to adapt to the device, especially during the first few days.
