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What Is Halo-Gravity Traction?

Halo-gravity traction is a manner to pull the head and spine upward carefully, applying a tedious stretch to the spine. Doctors do this by attaching a halo (a metal ring that surrounds the head) to a pulley system. Over several weeks, weights are added to the caster system to slowly pull the caput upward. This pulling is chosen "traction." Kids stay in the infirmary during halo-gravity traction.

Doctors use halo-gravity traction to treat different conditions, including:

• scoliosis and kyphosis (curvature of the spine)
• basilar invagination (where the acme of the spine pushes into the skull, pinching the brain and spinal string)

Why Is Halo-Gravity Traction Done?

For kids with scoliosis or kyphosis, halo-gravity traction is a way to stretch the spine slowly into a straighter position. Doctors usually do it to assist a kid become ready for a second, bigger surgery, called spinal fusion. This surgery fuses the bones together to hold them in their new, straighter position.

Some children tin have spinal fusion surgery without halo traction. Merely others need it to get set for surgery because:

• The spine is too potent or crooked to straighten safely all at once.
• The bones of the spine are too weak to straighten it safely all at one time.
• The nerves around the brain and spinal cord require that the spine be straightened slowly, so they're non damaged or irritated.

How Is the Halo Put On?

A surgeon puts the halo on in a procedure washed while a child is nether general anesthesia. This means the child sleeps through the surgery. The surgeon attaches the halo with 6–10 small pins. These pins get into the bone and continue the halo from moving.

What Happens Later on the Halo Is On?

After the halo is on the head, it's attached to a pulley system with weights. Over several weeks, more weights are added. This slowly pulls the head and spine up and stretches the muscles and ligaments (bands that hold bones together) around the spine.

During this time, special equipment will assist a child slumber, sit down, walk around, go to the bathroom, and shower.

Is Halo-Gravity Traction Painful?

Kids may take some pain for the first few days of halo-gravity traction or when more weights are added. Medicine tin can help relax the muscles and control pain.

Although halo-gravity traction can expect a little scary, most kids get used to it quickly. They before long realize they can walk, play, and practice many of the aforementioned things they did before the halo-gravity traction.

Who Is on the Hospital Team for Children With Halo-Gravity Traction?

A care team works together to intendance for kids with halo-gravity traction. The team will prepare the child and family for the hospital stay, take care of them while in the infirmary, and follow upward with them subsequently they exit.

The care squad tin can include:

• an orthopedic surgeon (os doctor)
• a neurosurgeon (encephalon and spinal string doctor)
• and physician assistants
• nurses
• an occupational therapist to assist with everyday activities like brushing teeth
• a physical therapist to help with moving around, musculus forcefulness, and flexibility
• child life staff trained to work with children and their families to make the hospital stay meliorate

What Happens During the Hospital Stay for Halo-Gravity Traction?

Kids stay in the hospital during halo-gravity traction so that:

• The doctors tin can cheque their progress.
• Weights can be added as needed.
• They can go physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).

The intendance team can show them how to:

• Use a special walker and/or a special wheelchair so they can keep the weights attached while moving effectually.
• Use special equipment to continue the weights attached while going to the bathroom and sleeping.

Kids with halo-gravity traction are upwardly and moving around nigh of the day. The care squad helps kids go into a regular schedule of concrete therapy, going for walks, activities, schoolwork, and games. This helps kids stay active and busy while in the infirmary.

While in the infirmary, kids will need:

• regular X-rays to guide how much weight to add
• nerve checks (done by checking motility and strength)
• regular cleaning of the pins to prevent skin infections
• PT and OT to assistance them strengthen their muscles and better their centre and lung function

Are There Any Risks From Halo-Gravity Traction?

There are risks to any surgery. The care team reviews the risks with families and tin reply any questions.

Risks from halo-gravity traction include:

• skin infection around pins (treated with antibiotics)
• pain from pins (treated by pain medicines and, if needed, moving pins)
• nerve injury (normally temporary and treated by removing some of the weights)

What Can Parents Do?

Staying in the hospital for weeks tin can be tough for kids. If your child is going to have halo-gravity traction, it volition help to:

• Talk to your child before you come to the hospital almost what volition happen. Permit your child know that after the halo-gravity traction is on, he or she volition be up and moving around and can stay busy with lots of activities.
• Bring activities that your child enjoys, such as favorite games, crafts, music, or movies.
• Bring something comforting from habitation like a special pillow, stuffed animal, or toy.
• Decorate the infirmary room in a fun style.
• Aid your child keep up with schoolwork so he or she feels ready to go back to school.
• Schedule visitors (if possible), video chatting, and phone calls with friends and family to assistance your child experience connected.
• Piece of work with the kid life section to find activities to keep your kid busy and pass the fourth dimension.

To help your child go along to heal well at home:

• Take your kid to all follow-upwardly appointments.
• Take your kid to PT and OT every bit recommended.
• Help your child get back to the routines of dwelling house, school, and activities.

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Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/halo-gravity-traction.html

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