Scoliosis Brace Application and Follow Up
Scoliosis Brace Application and Follow Up
SCOLIOSIS BRACE APPLICATION AND FOLLOW-UP
In scoliosis treatment, braces are primarily used to prevent the progression of spinal curvature. They are generally preferred for individuals with curvature between 25%-40% and those in their growth phase. Brace treatment can help control scoliosis before it reaches more severe levels.
Correct Brace Selection
The most important factor in the success of scoliosis brace treatment is selecting the correct brace. The process starts with recommending the most suitable brace model for the patient. When selecting the scoliosis brace model, the patient’s age, gender, height, weight, and degree of scoliosis are taken into consideration. After evaluating the necessary information about the brace, measurements are taken, and a custom scoliosis brace is prepared for the individual.Brace Treatment
Treatment in scoliosis is determined by the degree of curvature. Patients with a curvature between 10–20 degrees are regularly monitored every 6 months and directed towards physical therapy and exercise, while those with curvature between 20–40 degrees, especially during the growth phase, begin brace treatment. Patients undergoing brace treatment have a much lower risk of reaching the surgical threshold of 40 degrees or more compared to those without brace treatment.The daily usage duration of the scoliosis brace varies between 8 to 23 hours depending on the severity of the curvature.
Who is Brace Treatment Suitable For?
Scoliosis braces are suitable for scoliosis patients who are still growing and have a curvature of 20 degrees or more.With the correct scoliosis brace selection, full compliance with the treatment protocol, and regular doctor follow-up, scoliosis can be halted and even reversed.
Although surgical treatment is required for curvatures of 40 degrees or more, brace treatment should primarily be tried for patients in their growth phase with curvatures up to 60 degrees.
How to Use and Care for the Scoliosis Brace?
Scoliosis braces may need to be worn from 8 up to 23 hours a day. Patients wearing the brace should wear a cotton undershirt or T-shirt under the brace without folds or bunching to prevent skin irritation, sores, and redness caused by friction.Using the brace exactly as your doctor and orthotist recommend during the first fitting is very important for treatment success.
The brace should be sterilized once a week.
The undershirts and underwear worn beneath the brace should be changed daily.
Brace treatment can be a difficult process for patients and their families, especially for those in the growth phase who may resist wearing the brace or not want to comply with treatment. This resistance is one of the biggest challenges families face.
Brace Follow-Up:
The success of brace treatment depends on regular follow-up and proper use. Patients, especially young individuals, should check whether they are wearing the brace correctly. Regular check-ups during the treatment are important to assess the effectiveness of brace use. During these visits, the doctor evaluates whether the spinal curvature has progressed and makes necessary adjustments to the treatment. It may take some time for users to get used to the brace during the first few weeks, and doctors and physiotherapists provide helpful recommendations during this period.Brace Usage Recommendations
- Patients using scoliosis braces should maintain hygiene by showering daily.
- The areas where the brace applies pressure to the skin should be regularly checked.
- If redness does not disappear within half an hour after removing the brace, it should be readjusted.
- To prevent pressure sores caused by the brace, massage the pressure points with alcohol.