Halo-cast treatment of fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine.
Twenty-eight consecutive patients with dislocated, and often unstable, injuries of the cervical spine were treated by halo-cast stabilisation. One died and 27 were followed up. Twenty had no symptoms and 17 had full movement of the neck. There were only a very few minor complications. Seven patients had initial neurological impairment. They included the single death, but the remaining 6 regained useful muscle function. The halo-cast allows complete reduction in many types of fractures and dislocations, and good immobilisation is maintained.
Della Torre
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Istituto di Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Università di Perugia, Italia.
Rinonapoli
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy*; D008349:Manipulation, Orthopedic; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000628:therapy*