A halo brace holds the head and neck in place so that the bones of the spine (vertebrae) can heal from an injury or surgery. Kids who have a halo brace can move around and do many of their regular activities while healing.
The parts of a halo brace include:
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. Don't try to adjust the halo brace at home.
To decide how long someone needs to wear the halo brace, the medical care team considers:
Typically, kids wear a halo brace for a couple of months.
Many kids with a halo brace can continue their everyday activities — like walking, going to school, studying, and spending time with friends — as long as they feel up to it and the care team says it's OK. Encourage gentle activities like drawing, puzzles, and board games.
Kids who wear a halo brace must avoid activities that could lead to bumping the halo, pulling on the rods, falling, or getting the vest or vest liner wet. These include:
Your care team will go over in detail what activities your child should avoid.
Your child will need your help at home. Here are some tips to help.
Kids with a halo can't look down while walking, so make sure floors are clear of anything that might cause a trip or fall. Your child may want to use a cane or walker to get around without your help.
Let your child sleep in whatever position feels most comfortable. Kids with halo braces can sleep on their backs, stomachs, or sides. Some prefer to sleep with their head slightly raised with pillows under the brace. Help your child try different positions and use pillows for support to find a comfortable sleeping position.
The most important thing to remember when your child bathes is that the vest and liner can't get wet. Your child should not take a shower.
Your child can:
Or use a damp washcloth to get clean:
To wash your child's hair:
Your child also can use a dry or powder shampoo that doesn't need water to clean the hair.
If a little of the vest or liner gets a damp, use a hair dryer set on cool to dry it. If a large part of the vest gets wet, call your care team to see if your child needs a new one.
Clean the pins regularly to help prevent infection. Clean them once a day unless your care team gives you other instructions. Your care team will teach you how to clean the pins.
Clean your child's vest as your care team showed you:
If your child has a vest with a removable liner, take it out and wash it. You will need two liners so that your child has one to wear while the other is being washed. Your care team will explain how to take out the liner and put it back on. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to wash the liner.
To clean a liner that is not removable:
Some other tips:
Call your care team right away if:
Wearing a halo brace can be tough for kids and their families. Your child may feel sad, frustrated, or angry that life has to change, even if it is only for a few months. To support your child:
Reviewed by: Colleen P. Ditro, RN, DNP
Date Reviewed: May 1, 2023
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