Halo Traction

[Elisa]

So as some of you know, my 14 y/o son's spine has progressed to a curve of 110* in a relatively short time and b/c he we were not able to have him seen by a spine specialist until the other day, the surgeon feels he needs to do halo traction before he can even attempt to surgically correct his spine. I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through halo-traction, what their experience was as well as what we should/could do to keep him occupied while he's confined to this contraption. Appreciate all input. Thanks so much.

[mariaf]

Hi Elisa,

I have been following your posts all along and cannot put into words how inspired I have been by your strength and positive attitude. That goes for your amazing son as well.

I am a big supporter and fan of Shriners also. But the reason I am posting is really to share this link with you - don't let the name fool you, it is a group called the Halo Club - so you should be able to find many parents to chat with. I also have a few other contacts and will reach out to see if I can get you the contact of other parents who have experience with this.

Best of luck and please continue to keep us posted.

www.cervicalfusionfamilynetwork.org

p.s. Elisa - If you can e-mail me at mariaf305@yahoo.com that would be great - this way if I get any contact information for you of other parents I can share it with you privately since I would not post their information publicly, of course :-)

[Elisa]

Thanks a lot Maria, I will look into that link and will email you later on today; appreciate it.

I have to stay strong and positive b/c life goes on and you never know what's around the corner that you might have to deal with. My son's scoliosis is not the worst thing that could happen to him/us and there are so many other people out their including children that are dealing with much much more serious and life threatening issues. Just spending a day at three different hospitals the other day and seeing all the adults and kids with health issues does make one much more appreciative of their own relatively good health. The worst part of this whole thing is that my son has slipped through the cracks and the frustration and worry seeing him get worse and worse and NO ONE was even looking at him. That's taking this 'watch and wait' thing to the extreme. Yeah, let's watch this kid's spine collapse until his lungs and heart get crushed. That helpless feeling a parent has is so sickening. Definitely the worst feeling ever.

[Elisa]

This is very similar to the halo that was shown to us at Shriners. At least he won't have to wear the type with the vest and four poles and if I remember right, the nurse said it's open at the back so it is more comfortable to sleep with.

http://www.methodisthealth.org/lebon...+Jasmine+Brown

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Elisa,

here is a write-up with a link to the article I mentioned to you, which is written by the Shriners Portland nurses. It is mostly geared toward nurses, but it has a section about halo traction as it is done in Portland. http://support.shrinershospitals.org..._Article_Oct09

When we were at Shriners St Louis for Leah's surgery they had about half a dozen young children in portable halos. There was also an older boy who was perhaps 13. These kids were in longer-term traction (over 6 months), so they lived at Shriners, where they had daily school and a recreation therapy program that the halo kids participated in. It was shocking at first to see all these kids zipping around in halos, but they all seemed to be coping well, and the nursing staff was superlative with them.

Take care,

Gayle

[Elisa]

Gayle, I'd love to read the article but I can't seem to access it.

http://www.aornjournal.org/%20articl...05511/fulltext

The video below made me laugh. I honestly could see myself wanting to hang and spin around like this little girl; she seems weightless. Actually a nurse was joking with me and said some of the little kids get so weightless that they have to tie them down to their chair, lol.

http://eightisenoughfornow.blogspot....otobucket.html

I hope someone calls me today with the results of the MRI b/c I really am anxious to find out what they're seeing or not seeing and until I hear from them, I'm going to keep thinking he's got a tumour or something even more serious than what he already has. How long do you guys think I should wait before I call them? We didn't get done with the MRI until about 8:30 pm last Friday night.

[hdugger]

How long do you guys think I should wait before I call them? We didn't get done with the MRI until about 8:30 pm last Friday night.

They can read the MRI immediately - we had ours done right before our doctor's appointment, and he was looking at it when we got to his office.

So, it's just a matter of how much other stuff they have to do, and whether they want to consult with someone else about it.

[Elisa]

They can read the MRI immediately - we had ours done right before our doctor's appointment, and he was looking at it when we got to his office.

So, it's just a matter of how much other stuff they have to do, and whether they want to consult with someone else about it.

The MRI tech told me that the radiologist would probably look at the images over the weekend and give his report to Dr. K on Monday. It's Tuesday! He also had a pulmonary test done as well on Friday but I'm not as anxious about the results from that one b/c his breathing seems to be okay. At least he hasn't complained about any breathing issues. Actually, for a 110* curve, he's doing remarkably well and looking at him with his clothes on, it isn't obvious that he has severe scoliosis. Well, maybe you guys would notice b/c you're experienced with it. I've seen pics of people/kids who had a much smaller curve but their deformity looked a lot more extreme. Weird.

Oh also, the MRI wasn't done at Shriners, it was done at OSHU. Would that make a difference?

[Pooka1]

Oh also, the MRI wasn't done at Shriners, it was done at OSHU. Would that make a difference?

If Dr. K doesn't get back to you soon you might try requesting the report from OSHU.

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Elisa,

I would call Kelly Alexander and ask. I don't think it is too soon at all, she just may not have had time to call you yet.

I would suggest leaving her a message and tell her you're worried. I bet you will hear back soon.

I know how hard it is to wait. When Leah had her MRI I went in the next day to request the study on disc with the report. I fibbed and told them I needed the info right away because our specialist appointment was "soon." Shame on me!

Hang in there,

Gayle

p.s. sorry about the link, I am trying to get you a full-text of the article. I will post a link when I can get it.

[Pooka1]

Here's the article...

http://download.journals.elsevierhea...9209005511.pdf

[tonibunny]

Hi Elisa,

I has three weeks of halo traction in between the two stages of my first surgery when I was 10, back in 1986. This was halo-tibial traction, with weights at either end, so it was different to most of the halo set-ups that you see scoli kids in today (we had to stay lying completely flat and were nursed in a rotatable frame). The actual halo itself hasn't really changed though, so if I can help answer any questions do let me know.

Toni xx

[Elisa]

Okay, thanks for the input guys and I'll read that article either later on tonight or tomorrow b/c I have a headache right now and I'm tired.

I go back to work tomorrow and I have my cell phone with me so hopefully I'll get a call tomorrow and if not I'll call them.

Hey, I'm used to waiting after all. I must have a sign on my forehead that says that. *sigh*

[mariaf]

Thanks for posting that most interesting and comprehensive article, Sharon.

Elisa - I have more contact info for you which I will e-mail. One mom who has experience with halo traction gave me her cell number as well as e-mail address and is happy to chat with you.

[Pooka1]

Thanks for posting that most interesting and comprehensive article, Sharon.

Gayle mentioned the article. I simply found the .pdf.