Halo-Gravity Traction for Scoliosis
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Severe spinal curvatures in children can turn easy movements into major challenges. To help kids enjoy a more active life, CHOC’s pediatric spine specialists may recommend halo-gravity traction before corrective spinal fusion surgery. Halo-gravity traction can greatly improve results by preparing the spine for surgery.
Halo-gravity traction at CHOC is a part of CHOC’s pediatric Spine Center, which treats more kids with spine conditions than any other Orange County hospital. Your child will receive care from our multidisciplinary team of experts, including many of Southern California’s top spinal physicians, orthopaedists, surgeons, therapists and specialists.
What is Halo-Gravity Traction?
Halo-gravity traction gently stretches the spine by using a metal ring called a halo. The halo fits around the head and connects to a pulley system. In a process called “traction,” doctors gradually add weights to the pulley to carefully lift the head and neck upwards.
Halo-gravity treatment can make spinal fusion surgery more successful by:
- Improving neural pathways, which are important for sending signals from the brain to the body.
- Reducing the curve in the spine to help make the spinal surgery less complicated.
- Helping with breathing problems, which are common in kids with severe spinal curves.
Conditions Treated with Halo-Gravity Traction
Conditions commonly treated with halo-gravity traction include:
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Kyphoscoliosis
- Cervical Instability
- Basilar Invagination
- Congenital Spine Deformities
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis
- Severe Cervical Kyphosis
How Does Halo-Gravity Traction Work?
Treatment with halo-gravity traction consists of a few key parts:
The Halo
The halo is a light, metal ring surgically attached to the skull with small pins to ensure the head stays still during treatment. It’s attached under general anesthesia, so application of the halo is pain-free. The halo acts as the base for the traction system. Although it might look scary, patients rarely feel pain, aside from mild headaches and tenderness just after it’s put on.
The Pulley System
The pulley system keeps the patient’s head, neck and back straight for about 22 hours a day, with some breaks for activities like bathing or changing clothes. It can attach to a bed, wheelchair or walker so kids can stay active and do important spine-related therapies and treatments.
Monitoring and Adjustment
Over four to six weeks, the CHOC spinal team will gradually add weights to the pulley while the child is in the hospital. The exact amount of weight and time between adjustments depends on the child’s size and response to the treatment. Then, the child will be able to have spinal surgery and recover before being discharged home.
Halo-Traction Surgery: What to Expect
The following is what you can expect from your child’s halo-traction attachment surgery and inpatient stay at CHOC:
- Preparing for Surgery: You will meet with your child’s care team to plan and prepare for the procedure and hospital stay. Your team will discuss the surgery, risks, results, inpatient treatment and resources available to you during the process.
- During the Surgery: Under general anesthesia, a surgeon will securely attach the halo to the skull with 6-12 pins, depending on the child’s head size.
- Recovery from Surgery: Some pain and soreness are normal right after the halo is attached. There can also be discomfort whenever more weight is added to the pulley system. However, any pain is usually mild and can be managed with medication.
Once your child’s initial recovery is over, inpatient therapies using the halo-gravity traction system begin.
Before Inpatient Treatment: What to Expect
Our care team will help you and your child get ready for treatment by:
- Explaining what to expect in a way that’s easy for kids to understand.
- Encouraging families to bring their child’s favorite toys and things from home.
- Keeping in touch with friends and family via visits or video calls.
- Decorating your child’s hospital room and halo.
- Providing encouragement and support.
During and After Inpatient Treatment: What to Expect
Kids usually adapt quickly to the halo-gravity system. After getting comfortable, the CHOC staff will help your child stay engaged with regular activities and therapies.
For spine straightening treatments, your child will work with a multidisciplinary team of pediatric spine care experts, including orthopedic surgeons, physicians, nurses and physical therapists. A case manager and social worker will also support your child and family’s emotional and educational needs during hospital admission.
CHOC’s Child Life team will also provide support to help your child adjust to the hospital environment.
Halo-Gravity Traction Procedure Results
Once the team is happy with your child’s progress, they will schedule spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the spine permanently. After the surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for another three to five days before going home for outpatient recovery and rehabilitation.
Children will usually wear the halo ring during initial recovery and then switch to only a brace or vest.
Learn more about scoliosis and spinal fusion surgery at CHOC.
What is halo-gravity traction?
Halo-gravity traction prepares patients for spinal fusion surgery to correct severe spinal deformities of over 90 degrees, like scoliosis and kyphosis
How does halo-gravity traction work?
A light metal ring called a halo attaches to the head with small pins. The halo is then connected to a pulley system, to which doctors gradually add weight to straighten the spine. The treatment is done before spinal fusion surgery.
Does halo-gravity traction hurt?
Children might have mild pain right after the halo is placed and when more weight is added to the pulley. Medicine can help with any pain. While halo-gravity traction can look scary, children usually get comfortable fast. Before long, they can move, play and enjoy an active lifestyle.
Is halo-gravity traction an inpatient treatment?
Yes. Patients will stay in the hospital during the entire treatment. This allows the medical team to carefully follow your child’s progress and make the right adjustments to the pulley system.
How long does halo-gravity traction treatment take?
Inpatient hospital stays for halo-gravity traction at CHOC will last for four to six weeks.
Does halo-gravity traction leave scars?
After the halo is taken off, tiny scars from the pins might remain. However, they are very small and usually fade over time.