HALO

[janie7850]

We have recently learned that a 2 year old fusion at C1-C2 is not "fused" at all and must be totally redone. My companion will be going to Craig in two weeks to have this repair done by Dr. Scott Falci. He will be placed in a halo for three months, and as his primary caregiver, I have some questions..... 1) Will he be able to continue with physical therapy and occupation therapy 3x/week as he is doing now? 2) How much will his mobility be restricted? He currently walks with a walker (though not very smoothly or quickly) 3) Will he be able to shower? 4) Will he be able to get in and out of a sedan vechicle or will he need to be transported in his chair in a van? 5) Any special precautions about pressure points? He now sleeps on his back on a regular mattress. I guess there will be no turning...

Anything else I haven't yet thought of??

[SCI-Nurse]

1) Will he be able to continue with physical therapy and occupation therapy 3x/week as he is doing now?

Yes, but he will need to work on a different gait as the rigidity of the halo can sometimes cause problems with balance. He will need to take extra precautions to avoid falling as well.

2) How much will his mobility be restricted? He currently walks with a walker (though not very smoothly or quickly)

Most people who walk can do so in a halo. They should work with a therapist to find ways to adapted their gait and be sure that falling is prevented. In my area I see neurologically intact people riding bikes and in-line skating on the boardwalk in halos!!!! (not recommended!)

3) Will he be able to shower?

While some people do this, we do not recommend this as removal of the entire liner for this makes the halo unstable enough to be unsafe. We allow shampoos after the first week though. The skin under the halo should be cleaned daily with a wash cloth that is wrung out well (1/2 alcohol, 1/2 water) and pulled back and forth under the vest. The nurses at Craig should show him and you how to do the shampoos without getting the vest all wet, and also how to care for and inspect the skin. He will need help to do this.

4) Will he be able to get in and out of a sedan vechicle or will he need to be transported in his chair in a van?

Unless he is extremely tall this should be possible. While he is at Craig have the therapists check him out on the safest way to do this.

5) Any special precautions about pressure points? He now sleeps on his back on a regular mattress. I guess there will be no turning...

Most people can turn about 30-45 degrees to either side and sleep fine. It helps to put a pillow under the trunk and roll on to this to prevent a lot of shoulder pressure while side lying. The halo ring itself should not rest on the bed in back while lying on the back. Place pillows under the shoulders to prevent this.

Dr. Falci has an excellent reputation as a surgeon and Craig has a lot of halo experience, so I think you should be in good hands. (KLD)

[Scorpion]

I wore a HALO brace for 3 months, and I was able to do my therapy. I took showers as well, and I was turned in bed every 2-3 hours. Showering was done with the sheepskin padding of the brace removed, at which time they washed the padding (though I was on a shower stretcher and not sitting up moving all over the place). I was able to get into a car (I didn't transfer myself) but it was a very slow and careful transfer. A convertible was easier. I've seen guys in HALO braces walking with walkers. It all depends on the individual. Therapists should be able to determine what he can and can't do.

Make sure that when the padding is put back into the brace, it is positioned properly. I got a sore on my shoulder blade because the padding wasn't in place correctly, and It was bothering me all day. It wasn't until the evening that the nurse noticed the padding was out of wack and I had a sore there. But when the padding is in place, everything's cool. The tightening of the brace's pins that go into the skull was sometimes uncomfortable but not really painful.

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo

[Clipper]

I'd recommend requesting a second set of sheepskin padding for the halo brace. Keep one set on while showering so it stays in position, then swap that padding out with the dry set once back in bed. Clean, safe, dry.

[This message was edited by Clipper on September 25, 2001 at 01:47 AM.]

[Scorpion]

Good idea, Clipper! I don't care how much you try and keep clean, that sheepskin will get RANK. http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

~Rus

"Because you're not promised tomorrow." ~ Stuck Mojo