A halo brace immobilizes the head and neck to allow spinal injuries in the cervical spine to heal. It is fitted by screwing a metal ring into the skull and requires extra care to avoid discomfort, infection, and loosening. The brace allows patients to move and reduces the risk of complications associated with bed rest.
A halo brace is a special brace that is worn to immobilize the head and neck. These braces are classically used after people have sustained spinal injuries in the cervical spine, to allow the spine to heal, much like a plaster cast keeps the bones in a broken arm as still as possible while they heal. Wearing a halo brace can be uncomfortable and requires some lifestyle adjustments, but the alternative is to stay in bed while the injuries heal, which in addition to being extremely boring can also be dangerous, as prolonged bed rest contributes to the formation blood clots, pressure sores and other problems.
Halo braces are fitted by screwing a metal ring into the skull, attaching the rods to the ring, and fitting the rods to a specialized plastic liner. The design of the brace keeps the head and neck as still as possible. A liner is used under the jacket to reduce sores and skin irritation, and the liners can be changed periodically with extended use of the halo brace.
While in a halo brace, a patient needs to take extra care. The halo cannot be bumped against anything or grabbed, and patients should sleep on their backs, having the brace checked to make sure it is still tight before getting up in the morning. At any sign of discomfort or unusual loosening, the patient should roll back onto their back to have the halo brace checked, and it may be necessary to go to the doctor for an adjustment.
Patients also need to take care of the pin sites to reduce the risk of infection and cannot engage in strenuous activity. Because it is difficult to bathe in a halo brace, patients are usually told to stay cool and dry and to avoid dirt. Powders like cornstarch can be used to absorb moisture around the jacket so the skin doesn’t get irritated.
Halo braces may require periodic checkups and adjustments, which should only be performed by a trained physician. Spine damage severe enough to require the use of a halo is also severe enough that any disruption to the healing process could be a problem. Even with a halo, success rates range from 15 to 85%, depending on the nature of the injury, the treatment plan, and the patient’s ability to comply with the plan of care.
The big advantage of a halo brace is that it allows the patient to move. In addition to improving the patient’s quality of life, this reduces the risk of complications associated with bed rest.
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