HALO; HALO TRACTION; HALO VEST

A Halo is a special type of frame that is used to hold the bones of the neck (called vertebrae) in position. It is used to stabilize the cervical spine (the portion of the spine within the neck) after a cervical spine fracture or surgery.

The frame is held firmly in place by screws that are temporarily bolted into the bones at the side of the head. Weights can be added to the top of the frame to pull the vertebrae apart and keep the vertebrae aligned (Image 1). The addition of weights is called traction.

When a patient is ready to begin to mobilize (start moving about), the Halo frame can be given additional security by attaching it to special vest. This is called a Halo vest (Image 2).

Traction

Image 1: Halo traction.

Halo Vest

Image 2: Halo vest.