Using Your Halo Orthosis at Home

 

Your halo orthosis controls and supports your neck posture, lessens pain, prevents further injury, and promotes healing.

 

Wearing a Halo

 

A halo should prevent motion in your neck.  When you want to look in another direction, your head and trunk will turn together.  You should be able to do many normal activities by yourself or with a little help from others or with assistive devices.  Ask your doctor about guidelines for you.

 

 

Preparing for your trip home

 

Arrange for someone to drive you home because the halo will restrict your movement and vision very much.  Bend at your hips and knees, but not at your back or neck when getting into and out of a vehicle, sitting, or standing.  Be very careful to allow extra space for the halo structure when you move near other people or objects.  During cold weather, you may want to limit your time outside and wrap your head and halo with a small blanket or large towel for warmth.

 

 

You cannot take off your halo.  You must wear your halo as ordered by your doctor.  Your halo system should be removed, adjusted, changed, or opened only by your doctor or his assistants.  If you have any problems or concerns, contact your doctor right away.

 

 

Showering or bathing

 

During the course of halo treatment, avoid taking showers or getting your halo vest wet.  Sponge bathe during this time.  Clean your skin under the halo vest by carefully reaching under the vest with a lightly dampened cloth.  Do not attempt to loosen, change, or remove the halo vest.  If your doctor permits you to wash your hair, you will need someone to help you.  First, protect the sheepskin by placing plastic around the sheepskin that is at the top of the halo.  Next, lean over a sink or side of a tub that has a flexible spray nozzle.  Often, a kitchen sink works best. The person helping should gently spray to wet your hair, gently wash it with a small amount of shampoo, then rinse.  It might be easier to wash your hair with a foam product like the ones used in the hospital.  Ask your nurse or occupational therapist about it.  Clean around your pin sites after you finish washing your hair.

 

Cleaning pin sites

 

Nursing staff will teach you how to keep the pin sites clean.

 

You will need to clean the pin sites twice a day.  Often, a crust will form around each site.  This crust must be cleaned off to prevent infection.  Your nurse will show you or a helper how to clean the pin sites before you leave the hospital.

 

Supplies needed

 

• small sterile containers
• 1 bottle of sterile normal saline
• sterile cotton swab
• latex or vinyl gloves (non-sterile)
• small paper or plastic bag for waste disposal

 

What to do

 

• Wash your hands well with soap and water.

 

• Pour normal saline in the small sterile container.  Ask your nurse how much normal saline you should use for one cleaning.  Pour only enough for one cleaning.  Once the saline is poured, it cannot be poured back into the bottle.

 

Note:  You may want to wear non-sterile gloves for the rest of the procedure.

 

• Dip a sterile cotton swab into the saline.  Using a brisk motion, clean one pin site.  Be sure to remove any crust.  Then, repeat for each pin site.  Always use a new clean swab for each pin site.  Start next to the pin and work away from it in a circular motion.

 

• Check the pin sites for signs of infection.  Call your doctor right away if you notice
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Tenderness
  • Increased drainage

 

To get more supplies

 

You can get more supplies on your return visits to the Neurosurgery Clinic.  If you need more supplies but do not have a scheduled clinic visit, call the clinic at (608) 263-7502.

 

Cleaning your Halo

 

Wipe off the structure using a cloth dampened with alcohol or water.

 

Daily Activities

 

• Eating and drinking will be awkward at first, as you can’t look down at your plate or tilt your head back to drink.  Use a straw to drink, raise your table, or use a low chair to get your plate as high as you can.  Tuck a napkin or towel under your chin (between chin and vest) to catch spills.

 

• You will not be able to wear shirts that pull on over your head with your halo.  Shirts that button may need to be a bigger size.

 

• Don’t bend over to put on shoes and socks.  The halo will make you top-heavy and you could fall over.  Cross one foot over the other knee or ask your Occupational Therapist about tools to help you dress.

 

• Use caution when going down stairs, as it is hard to look down.  Stand at the top of the stairs, hold the handrail, and bend at the waist to look down the stairs to make sure your path is clear.  You will be more top-heavy than normal, so be very careful bending.  Hold the handrail at all times, most of all when going down the stairs.

 

• You also need to be careful when walking on any uneven surface or sidewalks that may have sudden changes due to roots raising some squares.  Be very careful if it may be icy, since you may not be able to see a patch of ice.

 

• Be careful going through doorways or any small spaces.  Look at yourself in a mirror to see how high and wide the halo is.  For some people, it will extend above your head.

 

How long do I need to wear the halo?

 

Your doctor will decide how long you need to wear your halo.  Follow your doctor’s advice even if you “feel better” and would like to change your activities or care requirements.  Your doctor will check your progress and make decisions that are best for you.

 

What should I do if my neurological symptoms get worse?

 

If you have more numbness, tingling, and pain or are less able to move or do your daily routines, please call:

 

Neurosurgery office (608) 263-1410 or (608) 263-1411

 

After hours, nights, weekends and holidays, this number will reach the paging operator.  Ask for the neurosurgery resident on call.  Give your name and phone number with the area code.  The doctor will call you back.

 

Toll-free, call 1-800-323-8942.

 

The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6649.

The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 05/25/2010

Copyright © 05/25/2010 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #5398

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