The treatment of fracture dislocations of the thoracolumbar spine with halofemoral traction and Harrington rod instrumentation.

Although function does not return after complete spinal cord injuries, partial recovery is possible after incomplete lesions Halofemoral traction may produce early decompression of injured neural elements in the spinal canal by anatomic realignment of the spinal column. It also acts to stabilize the very unstable thoracolumbar fracture dislocation and prevent displacement as well as further neurologic trauma. The body jacket is easy to make and apply. It allows early mobilization of patients when utilized in conjunction with the posterior spinal fusion and Harrington rod fixation.