Halo brace: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

Halo brace: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

New on the MedlinePlus Spine Injuries and Disorders page:

Halo brace

08/13/2015 05:31 PM EDT

A halo brace holds your child's head and neck in place so the bones and ligaments in the neck can heal. The halo brace keeps your child's head and neck still. The head and trunk move as one when your child is moving around. Your child can still do many activities when wearing the halo brace.

There are two parts to a halo brace:

1. The halo ring that goes around the head at the forehead level. The ring is attached to the head with small pins that are put into the bone of your child's head.
2. A vest that is worn under clothes. Rods from the halo ring connect down to the shoulders. The rods are fastened to a rigid vest.

Talk to the doctor about how long your child will wear the halo brace. Children usually wear the halo brace for 2 to 4 months, depending on the injury and how fast they heal. The halo brace stays on at all times. Only the doctor will take off the brace. Your doctor will do x-rays to see if your child's neck has healed. The halo brace will be removed in the office.