Halo

• Halo ring
• Distraction rods
• Thermoplastic vest

• Greatest control of all cervical orthoses
• Rigid fixation of head to thorax
• Provides distraction force that aides spinal stabilization and reduces load of the head on the cervical spine

• Gross instability and post-op stabilization of cervical vertebrae
• Unstable cervical fracture

Motion Limited:

• All cervical ROM

Nursing interventions:

• Manually raise patient to a sitting position then adjust head of bed up or down-do not have patient laying on bed while raising or lowier the head (could cause HALO to move from pressue of bed)
• Check for skin break down:
  • under vest
    • Do not undo both the waist belt  and the shoulder strap at the same time
  • on coccyx from sitting in chair
    • always use a seat cusion while in chair due to the added weight pressing down on coccxy
• Pin Care
  • 1/2 strength peroxide and saline QD and PRN
    • document pin care completed
• Wrench should always be attached to front of vest in case of emergency
  • document with assessment wrench availability

Halo Demonstration

Changing a Gown