NHS Boston Brace for Scoliosis Installation guide

www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/Services/A-Z/ScottishNationalSpineDeformityService/Pages/default.aspx
Boston Brace
for Scoliosis
Wear and Care guide
Your Orthotist is:
Tel no. 0131 537 9418 SCOTTISH NATIONAL SPINE DEFORMITY SERVICE
Skin care
It is very important to prevent skin
breakdown - sore, red, raw skin. The skin
under the brace needs to be toughened up,
especially where the brace applies the most
pressure.
To protect the skin:
• Shower/bathe daily. Apply alcohol gel
to all parts of the skin your brace covers
everyday. Gel can be purchased at
local pharmacy and some supermarkets
(Spirigel, Cuticura etc. are some brand
names). Alcohol gel plus the friction of
your hand will toughen the skin.
• Pay special attention to pink areas of the
skin where the brace pressure is highest
• Always wear a Boston T or snug tting
t-shirt/vest under the brace
• Always wear underwear over the brace to
prevent skin breakdown around the
elastic waistband
• Wear the brace as tight as possible. A
loose brace may rub and cause
skin breakdown.
• The use of cornower on skin is often
helpful in hot weather or on skin sensitive
to alcohol. Initially do not use creams,
lotions or powders under the brace as
they will soften the skin.
Sometimes the skin over the waist and
hips gets darker. This is common and not
a problem. When the brace treatment is
complete the discolouration will fade.
As you grow and your body changes, further
adjustments will need to be made. Contact
your Orthotist if you brace becomes less
comfortable, no longer ts, or if the straps
wear out.
Cleaning your brace
It is important to clean the foam liner of the
brace daily. The foam will not absord
moisture, however, perspiration will collect
on it. Wipe inside and out with a damp cloth.
Rub the lining with alcohol gel and leave to
dry. Stubborn marks on the outside can be
removed with nail polish remover.
LOT xxxx - August 2015

You have recently been tted with your new
Boston Brace to help control the curve of
your spine. This Leaet provides information
on how to apply the brace and care for
your skin.
Applying your brace
There are several methods of application.
At rst you will need help but eventually
you may learn to do it yourself. The easiest
method is described below:
• Make sure all the straps are outside the
brace
• Place brace around your body by holding
each side and spreading the brace so you
can twist into it. The brace is stiff when
new and you might need help
• The opening of the brace should be
centered on your back so that the bumps
on the spine and the crease between the
buttocks are in the middle of the opening.
• Push the brace down by placing hands on
your hips - the waist pads on the inside of
the brace should rest just above your hips
and below your ribs.
• Lean forward on to your forearms on a at
surface such as a table or counter - your
helper will thread the straps through the
buckles.
• Your helper applies pressure with the
at of one hand to the side opposite the
buckle. At the same time the helper
pulls the Velcro strap with the other hand
towards the hand applying the pressure.
• Secure the bottom strap rst, then the top
and middle, then straighten up.
Successful brace wearing
• Gradually increase your daily wearing
time to 20 hours daily within the rst two
weeks
• Take care of your skin daily and wear a
Boston T or snug tting t-shirt at all times
under your brace
• Properly apply brace to body
• Clean the brace daily.
How to apply and tighten the
brace yourself
• Place brace on your body as described
and thread the straps through the buckles
• Lean forward from your hips and pull
straps out, down and away from the
buckle side. Be patient as this takes
practise.
Breaking into your brace
Over two weeks, gradually increase the time
per day you are in your brace. The following
programme is designed to help your skin and
muscles adjust to the brace.
Stage One: Wear brace for six hours daily.
• Best accomplished after school and up to
bed time
• Apply brace for two hours and then
remove. Check skin and rub with alcohol
gel. If your skin is just pink, reapply brace
for two more hours and repeat up to six
hours in total
• If your skin is sore and red, wait 30
minutes then rub with alcohol and wear
for two more hours up to six hours total.
Begin stage 1: / /
End stage 1:/ /
Stage Two: Wear brace for 10 hours daily.
• Apply brace for four hours. Remove and
check skin. If necessary rub with alcohol
• Reapply brace for three hours.
• Remove and check skin. If necessary rub
with alcohol
• Reapply brace up to 10 hours in total.
Begin stage 2: / /
End stage 2:/ /
Stage Three: Wear brace for 20 hours daily.
• Apply brace before school. At lunchtime
remove brace and check skin. Rub with
alcohol if necessary. Reapply brace
• After school or at your chosen time re-
move brace. Reapply at bedtime. Sleep
in brace. Once you are able to sleep in
your brace you have achieved your goal!
Begin stage 3: / /
Time out of brace is: : - :