Halo Traction

[tonibunny]

That's interesting Rohrer, it's different to the Stryker Frame that I'm talking about (which rotates around its long axis, ie you're flipped over sideways so you either lie on your front or on your back) but I guess it's possible that this may be what Elisa's son's nurses are referring to.

[rohrer01]

I'm not sure if it is, but I Googled "circle bed with halo traction" and looked under images.

[Elisa]

Yeah, Dr. K's assistant definitely mentioned "circle bed" so I'm thinking that it more like the one that roher01 posted. I'll find out more soon and will post. I get a feeling that since they only have two of these special beds that it is something they use for a short duration, perhaps just immediately following surgery? No one mentioned anything to me about putting pins anywhere in his legs so I tend to think he's having halo-gravity traction. I came across some papers today that said that the average time in halo-traction was 23 days so I guess March 22nd to April 19th. isn't all that far off and he does indeed have a "nasty curve" according to Dr. K.

Now that we have 'a date' time is dragging.

When I talked to Marina (Shriners' BC coordinator) the other day she mentioned getting paperwork on my son's pre-op. I read a lot about pre-op on the forum but since I've never had any surgery nor has anyone else in my immediate family, I have no idea what is involved. What exactly is pre-op? If his first surgery is March 22nd. how many days before that do you guys think we'll have to be there?

[leahdragonfly]

Hi Elisa,

I am chiming in late here...hard transition back to work...anyway, I am SO glad you have your son's dates, and that you are getting more info now.

I saw a photo of the circle traction bed in that article written by the Shriners Portland nurses---did you see it in there?

Thanks for keeping us updated. I don't always have time to post these days, but I am always thinking of you and your son.

Take care,

Gayle

[Elisa]

That's where I've seen the pic of the circle bed Gayle! And thanks for thinking about us; that's nice.

The patient sleeps in a circle electric bed
(Figure 11) with the head of the bed elevated
and weights applied for the duration of their
traction treatment. As time progresses, the
weight amount is increased as the surgeon
deems necessary. The child usually remains in
traction for four to eight weeks. Circle electric
beds are considered antiquated and are difficult
to obtain. Shriners Hospital, Portland, has
two circle-electric beds but has been unable to

Members of the physical therapy department
at Shriners Hospital, Portland, have been extremely
creative in developing modified wheelchairs,
walking frames, tricycles, and suspension
frames for shower stalls that allow the patients
some degree of mobility while continuing traction
therapy (Figures 12, 13, and 14). Regular radiographs
are taken to monitor spinal correction
in traction. The degree of correction obtained
can speed up or delay the impending surgical
procedure.
obtain more, so patients frequently have to
wait for a bed to become available.

Members of the physical therapy department
at Shriners Hospital, Portland, have been extremely
creative in developing modified wheelchairs,
walking frames, tricycles, and suspension
frames for shower stalls that allow the patients
some degree of mobility while continuing traction
therapy (Figures 12, 13, and 14). Regular radiographs
are taken to monitor spinal correction
in traction. The degree of correction obtained
can speed up or delay the impending surgical
procedure.

Edit: Was going to mention that I was in THE deepest sleep this morning before hubby woke me up for coffee. I was on a speedboat from Victoria straight down to Portland and was looking at Vancouver Island behind me and it was so pretty and I was thinking how close Portland was to Victoria and the ride only took about twenty minutes. The whole state of Washington didn't exist in my dream, lol.

[Elisa]

Got a call from Shriners while at work and I now understand what all the pre-op involves. They are sending me a letter with all the details but mostly they're sending lab requests that we'll get done here and then our GP will send the results down to Portland. We have to be at Shriners on March 21st. @ 1:30 pm so I'm thinking we'll leave here on the 19th. spend a night in Vancouver, travel down on Sunday, spend the night in Portland and then make sure we're at the hospital the next day at 1:30. Unfortunately there is no 20 minute speedboat ride, lol. This works out perfect b/c Spring Break starts on March 18th. Couldn't have asked for better timing unless it was six months ago when his back wasn't half as bad. Oh well, it is what it is and I'm thrilled to be moving ahead finally.