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Scoliosis Awareness Month: Wearing Your Scoliosis Brace

Scoliosis Awareness Month: Wearing Your Scoliosis Brace

by | Jun 21, 2024 | Scoliosis & Spine

At Scottish Rite for Children, our spine experts care for the common to the complex of scoliosis curves. The type of treatment required for the condition depends on the child, when they were diagnosed and the severity of the curve.

One treatment option for scoliosis is bracing. At Scottish Rite, our in-house Orthotics department creates custom braces – making sure it fits the child just right. Here are a few basics to know about the scoliosis brace:

  • The purpose of a brace is to help stop the curve from getting worse with a goal of preventing the patient from needing surgery.
  • Although it does not cure the condition, if used on a curve that ranges from 25 to 40 degrees and the child is still growing, it can be extremely effective.
  • Your doctor will determine the number of hours the brace should be worn throughout the day.
  • If the brace is uncomfortable, our team works with the patient to make adjustments as needed throughout treatment.

Different Types of Braces:

  • TLSO (thoracolumbosacral orthosis) – used for curves located in the mid to lower part of the back
  • Providence Brace– also known as the nighttime brace, used for curves that are less severe.

Being Active While Wearing Your Brace:

  • Our team encourages a child who must wear a brace to continue with their sport and/or activity.
  • Bracing for this condition is only temporary, and although adjustments might need to be made to make the brace more comfortable, etc., it is created to fit the child so they can continue being active.

Taking Care of Your Skin
The brace pushes firmly on your body and will cause redness of your skin. Over time the skin in the pressure areas may become darkened and tougher. These changes are temporary and may improve brace comfort. If you develop a sore, your brace needs adjustment.

Clothing Suggestions

  • We recommend you wear a form fitting tank top under the brace. It is more comfortable when there is something between you and the brace.
  • Loose-fitting clothing will hide the brace better than form-fitting clothing.
  • Bras without underwire may be more comfortable.
  • To make using the bathroom easier while wearing the brace, wear your underwear over the brace.

Taking Care of the Brace
To help prevent skin irritation, the inside of the brace must be cleaned at least once a week, or more often as needed. Use a cloth to wipe the brace clean using soap and water or rubbing alcohol.

Learn more about scoliosis bracing.

Bracing for Scoliosis

Bracing for Scoliosis

by | Jun 16, 2023 | Scoliosis & Spine

At Scottish Rite for Children, we are committed to providing individualized patient care to every child. As one of the most common conditions our experts treat, scoliosis can present in many forms. Depending on the child and the severity of their curve, the plan for treatment can vary. 

Bracing is a treatment option for patients whose curve is smaller to moderate. It is during a patient’s adolescent years that he or she is growing the most, which means their curve can also grow. The ultimate goal of a brace is to prevent the curve from getting larger to ultimately avoid the need for surgery in the future. However, a brace does not cure scoliosis.

At Scottish Rite, there are different types of custom-made braces for patients. Below are the most common:

TLSO (Boston) Brace

  • TLSO stands for thoracolumbosacral orthosis.
  • For a child whose curve ranges from 25 to 40 degrees and is located in the middle to lower back.
  • This brace is worn during the day. Depending on the child’s curve, the doctor will prescribe the number of hours he or she should wear the brace.
  • Custom made for every child, the brace starts at the armpit and comes down to the pelvic bone.
  • The brace is worn under clothing.
  • Patients are able to remain active while wearing the brace. However, you must check with your doctor on any restrictions.

Providence (nighttime) Brace

  • Used for smaller curves located lower on the spine.
  • Most effective for patients who still have a good amount of growing left.
  • Because of its structure, this brace can only be worn at night.
  • The brace goes up one side of the body, essentially pushing the curve the opposite way.
  • The brace holds the spine in the correct straight position while growing during the night.
  • It is custom made for each child.
  • It doesn’t hurt, but if uncomfortable, it can be refitted.
  • Within a few days, patients say they are used to sleeping while wearing the brace.

Learn more about scoliosis bracing. 

A Backpack for Your Brace

A Backpack for Your Brace

by | Nov 11, 2021 | Spotlight

When Jennifer Pruitt’s daughter Eva was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and prescribed a brace, it sparked an idea that has now become a real-life solution for other Scottish Rite families starting their journey with scoliosis bracing.   Compelled to help her daughter, Jennifer asked a seamstress friend to make Eva a couple of specially designed backpacks to use for school and athletics. “I saw what my daughter was going through,” Jennifer says. “So many people asking her what the brace was. It was a worry for her, and she felt different.”   This new bag would later become the Evee Pac™, a wide-mouthed, drawstring-closure backpack that totes a scoliosis brace in style. The bright green Evee rolls up and collapses into a zippered pouch when not in use.   While finalizing production details, Jennifer’s son, Andy, was diagnosed with AIS and prescribed a brace just like his sister, but now he was able to use the Evee. “It was way easier, and I don’t have as much attention whenever you are just carrying another bag,” Andy says.   Development officer Mike Stimpson and Don Virostek, Eva and Andy’s orthotist and director of Orthotics at Scottish Rite, provided feedback and support about the backpack anytime Jennifer needed it. Now Scottish Rite orthotists provide the Evee to any patients receiving a new brace.   “The generous funding from the Cardinal Foundation of Dayton, Ohio, the creative design work of Halo Branded Solutions and, of course, Jennifer’s commitment and passion for our mission made the backpack a reality for our patients, and we are very grateful,“ Vice President of Development Stephanie Brigger says.   “Scottish Rite is all about the well-being of its patients,” Jennifer says. “They were so wonderful to be open to and support the backpack project. In the end, these backpacks aim to make kids’ lives a little easier, and that’s really what it’s all about.” Read the full issue.