Source: Spine Program at the Allen (2021); Tanner & Akselrad case study poster (2021)
Halo-gravity traction gently pulls soft tissue to straighten severe spinal curvature pre-operatively. Indicated for severe curves (80°+), high curves, or congenital defects that have failed other corrective measures, particularly when the deformity already stresses the heart and lungs. Traction can run from 1 week up to 6 months, with a goal of 23 hours of traction per day — the patient should be up in the wheelchair or walker frame for most of the day.
From the Allen case study (halo-gravity traction >50% body weight for one month before total spinal reconstruction and fusion):
| Pre-operative (in traction) | Post-operative | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Maintain functional independence; improve strength and pulmonary function | Re-learn ADLs; retrain functional mobility within spinal precautions |
| Techniques | Respiratory games (balloons, bubble art, cotton-ball races), high-level complex tasks (balloon tennis, scavenger hunts, dancing), endurance work (treadmill, UBE, distance walking) | Standard acute-care techniques for bed mobility, transfers, and ADL retraining with adaptive equipment |
| Watch for | Self-consciousness about halo appearance; underestimating the post-op recovery | Pain, post-op blood loss with orthostatic hypotension, possible ICU course |