h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

hi there! I recently (may 24) got into a car accident, which caused me to break a lot of bones including my neck (c2 and a fractured c3)
well it's coming close to 3 monts and i was wondering if they put ya in a brace after taking the halo off? And also if they didn't give ya a brace, was it hurting or was it even hard to turn your head after everything was off??

I would really like to hear from ya, that would help me alot.

Thanks,
Masha

Hi Seen your query my son has just had a halo put on and his Spinal Specialist told me with a C2 injury he would be re xrayed at 12 weeks to move head at that point he would either remain in Halo or wear a stiff neck brace for a further 4 weeks he said that when the halo comes off he will probably feel faint or nausea because the head has been keep straight for so long and this causes an imbalance in the ear canal. Basically he will feel like he can't control his head. This is were physio will come into play he said it will be like learning to walk again! I can only wish you well and hope all is ok with you. I am at a stage were my son isn't sleeping too well he can't get comfy etc and only into the 3rd week of the brace.

Hi Masha. Sorry this is a late response. I guess you must have the halo off by now, so you'll know what it feels like. Did you have any of the dizziness and nausea people talk about? Did you wear the soft collar for sometime? I mostly remember being really weak, and not being able to move my neck much at all for the first couple of weeks. My doc encouraged me to take the collar off (in short spells initially) around the house after a few weeks, and although I was a little scared, it stopped me being too dependent on it, and started building up the neck strength again.

Lots of physios said they weren't sure how to help me, but I found a great one, and he gently got everything moving again. We waited til I got my final sign off from the doctor before doing really firm rotational exercises, just to be on the safe side. Before that, he was mostly massaging the neck muscles to move out the scar tissue, and he used a neuro-muscular stimulator (TEMS machine) to trigger the dormant muscles. I had physio twice a week for about 4 months, and then once a week for another month. Now 18 months on I have almost full range of movement, and only a little achiness. I'm out playing tennis and doing yoga, and even on my bike again!

Well done for getting through it. The worst is obviously behind you. I think for some people it can be quite tough right after the halo comes off though. I felt quite vulnerable at first, and although it was just incredible to be rid of the halo, it then felt as if I had another mountain to climb to get back to being strong again. There were a lot of emotioinal ups and downs in the transition back to work (I went back on a parttime basis 3 months after the halo came off). I actually had a little counseling, which I found really helped. Now I'm back to full time work, and life is pretty normal again.

I hope you are recovering well. Do write back to ask more questions if you'd like, or just to let me know how you are doing

Rachel

On 6 Nov 18 I had a serious cycling accident, and amongst other injuries, broke my neck – it’s long story and I won’t bourdon you now with the detail. One clear statement though: I don’t think I would still be alive if it wasn’t for the fabulous support of family , friends and particularly my darling wife!
As a result of the accident, I have been living with a Halo brace. A Halo brace is a metal brace that circles and attaches to your skull. It is used to keep the bones in your cervical spine (neck) from moving. Pins screwed into the skin above your eyebrows and back of your head (8 all up) to keep the Halo in place. Metal rods connect the halo to a plastic vest worn over your chest and back. The vest is lined is lambs wool and it cannot be removed - it stays on fulltime. Yesterday I was fortunate to have the Halo removed and a neck brace put on.
Having survived the Halo journey, I thought I would share some tips (what ‘to do’ and what ‘not to do’) that may help anyone that may find themselves in this situation.
Obviously, some of these tips are common sense. However, some of them are my personal observations. I really wish there was a realistic guide that the hospital issued me rather than learning from experience. So please, let my pain be someone’s gain and forward this on to anyone in a similar position. These tips can also apply to a neck brace.
THINGS TO AVOID WHILE LIVING WITH A HALO
• Do not do anything that could jar your spine – jumping, bike riding or running.
• Do not lift anything above the weight set by your surgeon. I was given a 2.5 kg limit per hand. This also means you can’t push or pull anything greater than 5 kgs. I was also told NO weight to be lifted above my head. So you need to organise your home (when you are by yourself) to have things in places that are safe for you.
• Limit reaching your arms overhead. Many of the nerves for our arms come from our cervical spine. Some of the muscles that control movement of your scapula (shoulder blade – yep, I also broke my right one) are located right below your cervical spine. Therefore, it’s best to only reach overhead if absolutely necessary..
• Rotation of your spine. With your cervical area stabilised, the rest of your spine is now more vulnerable to injury. Therefore, you should avoid large twists and bending straight to the side as it is only going to cause you grief.
• When picking something up bend deeply at your knees. You want to keep your spine as straight as you can while you lift. As always, engage your abs before doing anything.
• Don’t let your head get lower that your chest and hips. Each time I did this I got head spins and if you are home alone this can be awfully dangerous.
• Avoid stress and tension – wearing a halo is tough enough. When you get tense (and you will), take a break to lay down and meditate. Lay down on your back to combat the effects of gravity, and practice deep breathing to help you relax. Plus, if your shoulders start lifting toward your ears, it will apply pressure on your neck and you end up in more pain – more stress!.
• If you wear glasses, they may irritate the screws at the back of your head. So be careful in putting your glasses on that you don’t knock the screws. At times I put padding around the arms of my glasses because of the irritation my glasses caused.
THINGS TO DO WHILE LIVING WITH A HALO
• Focus on your goals and be patient with the process. Healing a break in a bone takes quite a bit of time and effort and in the scheme of your life this time will be a drop in the bucket. Never lose sight of your desired end state.
• Walk everyday – get out in the fresh air and remind yourself how great life is.
• Socialise will family and friends, they are essential for your wellbeing and recovery (plus a lot of fun!). If you can’t physically see them phone them. You will learn through this journey who are your real friends and you will repair family relationships.
• Eat well – good food and nutrition is essential for your recovery
• Be as independent as you can. The greater your independence the better you feel and the more confident you will become. You need to be able to make meals, shower and dress yourself on your own.
• Get out into the community – be confident with how you are, people will look at you for sure but they will understand. Start-up conversations, have fun will it. Isolating yourself at home will only make you miserable.
• Make sure you regularly take your pain medication. If you drop off too much you will suffer and it’s just not worth it. I learnt this by experience as I was scared of becoming addicted to the drugs!
I hope that these tips help while you are living with a Halo brace.

Please let me know if you have any feedback.

Kind regards

Dasha