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.