What is a Spinal Brace?
A spinal brace is a support for your back. It can help to repair an injury on your spine by limiting the movement in your back. The brace can help:
- With the healing process
- Reduce pain or discomfort
- Prevent further damage
- To act as a reminder to avoid/limit certain movements
How long do I wear it for?
Your doctor or consultant will tell you how long you need to wear the brace for.
The brace might need to be worn for a period of 6 to 12 weeks. The amount of time that you need to wear the brace will depend on your diagnosis and the severity of your injury.
NOTE: If you have any questions with regards to your diagnosis, wear time or pain you will need to contact your relevant consultant/doctor.
Washing instructions
Do not shower or bathe with your brace. We recommend you to strip wash whilst lying down flat on a bed or sitting in front of a mirror. The liner of the back section can be removed and machine washed on a low heat and air dried.
Sleeping
We advise you not to wear the brace for sleeping. However, your doctor might give you specific instructions about wearing your brace. Please speak to your doctor about when to wear your brace.
Sitting
We advise you to sit on a pillow to avoid the brace being pushed up on the back of the chair.
Driving
Discuss with your consultant/Doctor with regards to when you can resume driving.
Can there be complications?
Your spinal brace will not completely immobilise the movement in your back. Further and/or additional treatment might be required. Please seek advice from your consultant/doctor.
Wear and care
We advise you to wear your spinal brace over a cotton vest or a t-shirt. This is to protect your skin from pressure. If needed, it may be best to wear a non-wired bra to avoid excess pressure.
Your skin must be kept clean and dry. There is a risk of skin irritation and rubbing when wearing a close fitting device to your body. Please check your skin after every use of the brace.
If red marks on your skin do not fade after 30 minutes or your skin breaks down and causes a wound, please contact the Orthotics department for an appointment. Please contact your GP if you have any open wounds and dress them appropriately.
Putting on and faking off the spinal brace
The brace can be taken on and off in a seated position but we suggest sitting in front of a mirror.
The brace has:
- A front section
- A back section
- Six straps at the front
Front of brace:
Front of brace (open):
To put the brace on:
- Unfasten three of the straps on the same side of the front section of the brace
- Place the brace on your back so that the front pad is sitting on your stomach
- Fasten the three straps to secure the brace in place
- Stand up and re-adjust all of the straps so that the brace fits securely
To take the brace off:
- Undo three of the straps on the same side of the front section of the brace
- Pull the brace away from your body
