[Osteoporosis and halo traction in scoliosis patients (author's transl)].

In 54 patients who underwent halo traction for an average of 80 days each, there was no laboratory evidence of any change in calcium metabolism. Histologically, there were slight but significant bony changes after termination of halo traction treatment, principally "low-turnover" osteoporosis, which was possibly more prevalent in female patients. Where a slight osteoporosis already existed prior to halo traction, it generally became more severe. The study seems to show that no relationship exists between the etiology of scolioses and the development of osteoporosis. It proves that in respect of the development of osteoporosis also, permanent halo traction is not a neutral procedure.