1 post tagged “and the boston brace”
TSOL Brace 101
I am writing out some tips for those folks who are googling the TSOL brace. THe TSOL brace is used mostly for folks that have scoliosis, spinal injury, or a broken back. I have a broken back. My TSOL brace is sort of weird because it has breasts built into it. It was custom made. Some models aren't but you can make adjustments for these sorts of things in different ways. Here are some things that I wish someone had told me about it. Being encased in plastic from your hips up past your breasts isn't the most comfortable thing. The reason why your doctor will require the brace is to prevent you from bending your spine during the recovery. The best way to do this is to remain immobile in bed as much as possible but that can cause other problems including blood clots. It's worth the risk to wear the brace and move around a bit as long as you are gentle and take it easy upon yourself.
There are several different types of braces. There's the Milwaukee, Charleston Bending Brace, and the Boston Brace. Or you might have a custom made orthotic like mine.
Some of the healthcare workers you'll be working with might not know much about your specific brace. They will know what it is for but since they haven't worked with one they won't know many of things that can help you use your brace more efficiently and comfortably.
10. Make sure it fits correctly. Your doctor or the nurse isn't always the one to check on this. Sometimes you need to talk to a physical therapist who is acquainted with the brace or get the person who made your brace to check it. If you lose or gain weight in the hospital this will change how the brace fits and works on your body. . I wore mine for at least two weeks when about ten inches needed to be trimmed off of it. This happened because no one at the hospital was sure how it should fit. It should fit across the small of your back firmly with no gaps. If you are curvy like I am this can be a difficult thing to accomplish. You could actually be hurting your back by not paying attention to this. You should learn how your brace should fit and how to put it on. Not everyone in the hospital will know how to do this.
9. Have your orthopedist be clear about how they want you to put the brace on. Are you to sit on the edge of the bed or are you to try to get the brace on while laying down? This is important because the brace is supposed to prevent at least 50% of the twisting that our spine does when we lay down or sit up.
8. Wear close fitting t-shirts underneath the brace. Wrinkles are very uncomfortable and could cause long term blistering or skin problems for you. You can use baby powder to help prevent this. Change your shirt if you sweat alot during physical therapy. You will be more comfortable.
Some folks wear pants underneath and a large shirt on top. The only thing that might not work with that combo is that it is difficult to get in and out of your clothes and brace to go to the bathroom.
The easiest clothing combo to manage is elastic waisted pants with a t-shirt on underneath the brace. I would also suggest going commando. It's much easier when you have to manage the bathroom. You can wear a shirt or jacket over your brace if you feel like it. Just remember your brace is like your own little sweat lodge. It's hot under there. Again be creative, and do what you want.
7. If you have to shower with your brace on use a blow dryer to help dry the straps faster. You can do this while standing or sitting in the bathroom or you lay down while someone does it for you. Just be careful not to melt or shrink anything. Hold the dryer at least two inches from the straps. Towel dry first and then use your blow dryer. If you want to air dry your brace it usually takes between two to three hours to dry. If you shower at night this might be a good solution for you.
6. You should wipe your brace down everyday with a damp cloth to keep it clean. You can also wipe it with Febreeze if you are having issues with odor. If you use enough deodorant this shouldn't be an issue.
5. Try to learn to put your brace on yourself if possible. It will help you feel more independent.
4. Get the right tools to help yourself with daily living activities. Assistive Devices can help you become more impendent because you will not be able to bend while you are in the brace. I have talked before about how bending hurts.
I have something to help me put on my socks and shoes. I am surprised that you don't see more commercials for the device that I have dubbed "The Socker!". It's a handy device that you slip your socks onto that helps you put them on your feet without bending over. My sneakers have elastic shoelaces so I don't have to untie them everyday. I am also surprised not see these more often because they would be great in kid's sneakers. I have a reacher tool that helps me with a variety of tasks including picking remotes up off floor when I drop them.
I wasn't going to talk about this last tool because it's used for a personal area but I was watching a "True Life" special on MTV and some of the little people on there were talking about this. One of them held up the exact tool that I use for toileting needs. The occupational therapist told me that I could use tongs for this. I decided to buy the actual tool and I was glad I did. It is more comfortable than the tongs. So don't skimp in this area.
3. Feel free to decorate your brace. It's white, it's boring and doesn't have much resal value on ebay. Some of the more creative things I have seen are camouflage, and stars and strips contact paper. Or you can paint or draw on it.
2. Your brace was expensive. So try to think of other ways you can use your brace after you are done with it. It can be recycled into a great Halloween costume. There are many choices including wonder woman, bohemian opera singer woman, Imperial storm trooper and the new white Teenage mutant ninja turtle.
1. Remember to give your body a break from the brace. Take it off sometime during the mid day and lay down. You don't have to nap. I use this time to read, listen to music, or meditate Your spine will thank you.
