Halo brace - child
Description
A halo brace holds your child's head and neck still so that bones and ligaments in the neck can heal. Your child's head and torso will move as one when your child is moving around. Your child can still do many activities when wearing the halo brace.
There are two parts to a halo brace:
- The halo ring that goes around the head. The ring is attached to the head with 4 or more small pins that anchor it into the bone of your child's head.
- A stiff vest that is worn under clothes. Four rods go down from the halo ring and connect to the shoulders of the vest.
Talk to your health care provider about how long your child will wear the halo brace. Children usually wear the brace for 2 to 4 months, depending on the injury and how fast it heals. The halo brace stays on at all times, day and night. Only the provider will take it off. Your provider will do x-rays to see if your child's neck has healed. The halo brace can be removed in the office.
Alternative Names
Halo orthosis - child, Halo ring - child, Halo vest - child
Putting On the Halo Brace
It takes about 1 to 2 hours to put on the halo.
Your provider will numb the skin where the pins will be put in. Your child will feel pressure when the pins go in. X-rays are taken to make sure the brace is keeping your child's neck straight. Your provider may have to readjust it to get the best alignment of your child's neck.
Help keep your child comfortable and calm so that the provider can make a good fit.
Wearing the halo brace should not be painful for your child. When they first start wearing the brace, some children complain of the pin sites hurting, their forehead hurting, or having a headache. The pain may be worse when your child chews or yawns. Most children get used to the brace, and the pain goes away. If the pain does not go away or gets worse, the pins may need to be adjusted. DO NOT do this yourself. Contact your provider.
If the vest is not fitted well, your child might complain because of pressure points over their shoulder or back, especially during the first few days. You should report this to your provider. The vest can be adjusted, and pads can be put in place to avoid pressure points and skin damage.
Taking Care of Your Child's Skin
While your child is wearing the halo brace, you will need to learn to care for your child's skin.
PIN CARE
Clean the pin sites once or twice a day, as directed by your provider. Sometimes, a crust forms around the pins. Clean the area this way to prevent infection:
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Dip a cotton swab into a skin-cleaning solution, such as hydrogen peroxide, povidone iodine, or another antiseptic your provider recommends. Use the cotton swab to wipe and scrub around one pin site. Make sure to remove any crust.
- Use a new cotton swab with each pin.
- You can apply antibiotic ointment daily at the point where the pin enters into the skin.
Check the pin sites for infection. Call your provider if your child has any of these signs of infection at a pin site:
- Redness or swelling
- Pus
- Open or infected wounds
- Increased pain
WASHING YOUR CHILD
Do not put your child in the shower or bath. The halo brace should not get wet. Wash your child by hand following these steps:
- Cover the edges of the vest with a dry towel. Cut holes in a plastic bag for your child's head and arms and put it over the vest.
- Have your child sit in a chair.
- Wash your child with a damp washcloth and mild soap. Wipe off soap with a damp towel. Do not use sponges that can leak water onto the brace and vest.
- Check for redness or irritation, especially where the vest touches the skin.
- Shampoo your child's hair over a sink or tub. If your child is small, they can lie on the kitchen counter with their head over the sink.
- If the vest and skin under the vest ever get wet, dry the area with a hairdryer set on COOL.
CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE VEST
- You cannot remove the vest to wash it.
- Dip a long strip of surgical gauze in witch hazel and wring it out, so it is just a little damp.
- Put the gauze through from top to the bottom of the vest and slide it back and forth. This cleans the vest liner. You can also do this if your child's skin is itchy.
- Use cornstarch baby powder around the edges of the vest to make it feel smoother next to your child's skin.
Activities
Your child can do their usual activities like school, schoolwork, and nonathletic club activities.
Your child cannot look down when they walk. Keep areas clear of things that can trip your child. Some children may use a cane or walker to help keep steady when walking.
Do not let your child do activities like sports, running, or bike riding.
Help your child find a comfortable way to sleep. Your child can sleep the way they usually do, such as on their back, side, or stomach. Try a pillow or a rolled towel under their neck to give support. Use pillows to support the halo.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your provider if:
- Pin sites are red, swollen, or have pus or pain
- Your child can nod their head
- Any parts of the brace or vest become loose
- Your child complains of numbness, changes in feeling in their arms, hands, or legs
- Your child complains of new neck pain
- Your child cannot do their usual non-sports activities
- Your child has new difficulty walking
- Your child has a fever
- Your child has pain where the vest might be putting too much pressure on their body, such as at the top of the shoulders
References
Niu T, Holly LT. Principles of orthotic management. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 37.
Warner WC. Pediatric cervical spine. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 43.
Reviewed By: Luc Jasmin, MD, Ph.D., FRCS (C), FACS, Department of Neuroscience, Guam Regional Medical City, Guam; Department of Surgery, Johnson City Medical Center, TN; Department of Maxillofacial Surgery at UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
