Guidelines For Wearing Your Halo Brace
Your Halo Brace
Purpose
The halo brace is a rigid frame that holds your head, neck, and spine
in a fixed position, which reduces undesired motion in your neck.
Parts
Your halo brace consists of three parts:
- Vest: The plastic jacket
that covers the chest and acts as the foundation for the
brace; is lined with material that will let
your skin breathe.
- Halo Ring: The rigid part that surrounds your
head and is held in place by pins that attach to the outer
layer of the skull.
- Frame: The structure that is made up of four upright
bars and two headlocks, which connect the halo ring to the
vest; provides
positioning
and traction for your neck.
Halo Maintenance
Halo check-ups are very important and should be done every
3-4 weeks.
- Pins/Frames: If you notice that a pin, nut, or
bolt is loose, or hear clicking sounds, your halo may need
to be
adjusted.
Avoid excessive
movement until the halo can be checked out properly.
- Vest:
If you gain or lose a considerable amount of weight, or if
you feel any uncomfortable pressure in
a particular
area, your
vest
will need to be adjusted.
Pin Site Care
Proper cleaning and caring for
the pin sites will decrease the risk of infection. Be sure to follow
instructions carefully:
- Pins and skin sites should be cared for
twice a day using cotton swabs soaked in peroxide. It is very
important to use a new clean
cotton swab for each pin site. This decreases the chance
of any contamination transferring from one pin site to another.
- Watch
for signs of infections such as bleeding, oozing, or scabbing.
Report these conditions to your physician immediately.
- Be sure to
keep the pin site clean and dry at all times.
Shampooing the Hair
Careful and thorough cleaning of your hair will reduce the risk
of infection around the pin sites, and can be done at least
once a week.
To do so:
- Have patient lie on edge of a flat surface with
his or her head extended over the edge. Place a catch basin
under the
head.
- Protect the halo liner with a towel and gently
ease hair
through the halo.
- Wash hair normally, being careful
not to bump or jar the pins.
- Use a pitcher to rinse the hair, and
then hand dry the hair carefully. A dryer on cool may be used
after hand
drying the
hair.
- Be sure to clean the pin sites after each washing.
Skin Care Information
Skin Care/Personal Hygiene
Showers are not permitted because the liner will absorb water and
can cause skin problems. Daily washing under your vest can be accomplished
using a damp cloth. Be sure to follow instructions carefully:
- Have
patient lie on their back and pass the cloth under the
vest from one side to another, and move it back and forth, across
all
areas of the front. Then turn over and do the same for the
back.
- To
remove excess oil and keep the skin dry, occasional use of
rubbing alcohol in place of water is permitted.
- Never use lotion, powder,
or soap under your vest, as this can cause the liner to become
matted and can lead to skin irritations.
- Be sure to keep your skin
under the vest and liner clean and dry as possible.
- Once a day,
without removing your vest, check your skin under the vest
for signs of skin breakdown, as well as
for reddened
areas and
pressure sores. To do this, have someone use a flashlight
to view the skin under the vest and liner. Pay careful
attention to the
areas around the shoulder blades, spine, ribs, and
chest bone.
- If you develop an irritation under the liner,
consult your doctor or orthotist immediately.
Helpful Hints
Below are helpful hints to help make you as comfortable
as possible during your treatment:
- Balance: You will need to overcome
the top heavy effect experienced
with the use of a halo brace. Use caution and steady yourself
when standing from sitting position or performing your daily activities.
- Sleeping:
To reduce the possibility of a pin loosening, do not rest the
back of your ring on anything. Use pillows or foam wedges
behind your back and a pillow behind your knees for support
and comfort while you sleep. Use a rolled towel behind your head
and neck to
lessen the feeling of being suspended in space.
- Exercise: Only
exercise approved by your doctor should be done. Avoid doing
anything that requires lifting heavy objects as this
will cause strain on your neck.
- Clothing: Your clothes should
be loose and baggy, with ample room to allow shirts to go over
your head and neck.
- Traveling: Due to your limited range of vision,
you should not drive while wearing your halo brace. Consult
your doctor
on the
most safe and practical way to enter and exit a vehicle.
- Emergency Procedure: Halos come with a red sticker describing
Emergency Access Procedures.
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