Scoliosis and Kyphosis Bracing
Bracing is often used with children who have scoliosis or kyphosis who have curves that measure between 25 and 40 degrees during their growth phase. It helps correct the spinal curve and prevents it from getting worse.
Wearing the Brace
Most children will adjust to wearing a brace in about 3 weeks. Here are things you can do to help them adjust:
The brace should be worn over a cotton tee shirt or tank top that fits snugly. Find a shirt without seams, since it will be more comfortable for your child, and help protect against rubbing and chafing.
Wear the brace after school until bedtime only (4–6 hours) for the first week.
After the first 2 hours the brace is on, take it off to check your child’s skin. If the skin is pink, put the brace back on for 2 more hours.
Check the skin again. If it is red, keep the brace off for a half hour.
At the end of this first week, your child should start to wear the brace from after school until morning. Then it is time to increase the brace wear to full-time.
Firm or hard chairs may be more comfortable than soft, low chairs when sitting with the brace on.
When traveling in the car, try placing a firm cushion under your child’s seat to provide extra support.
Activities
Your child may continue with most of their usual activities. Physical activity is important to maintain muscle tone while wearing the brace. Your child may participate in gym class.
Scheduled off-brace wear can be organized around your child’s sports/activities and physical education. If your child’s brace needs to be taken off while they are in school, ask the school nurse to assist your child with taking off the brace before the activity and putting it back on afterwards.
Skin Care
Your child should shower or bathe daily.
Do not use lotions, creams or oils under the brace. This will make the skin soft and irritated.
Medicated powder may be used in small amounts to help decrease moisture and chafing.
Clean caked powder off the skin to avoid irritation.
Clothing
Loose clothing will hide the outline of the brace.
Underpants and slacks will need to be large enough to fit over the lower part of the brace. Your child should try different size pants over the brace to find out what size works best.
Drawstring pants, bib overalls and elastic waistbands work well.
Brace Care
Clean the brace once a week by wiping the inside with rubbing alcohol. Dry thoroughly before putting it back on.
When your child isn’t wearing the brace, store it in a cool dry place.
Follow-up Appointments
Your child’s first follow-up appointment will be 6 weeks after your child began wearing the brace. Here is what you need to know:
Remove the brace 24 hours before your scheduled appointment time.
Bring the brace to your appointment.
An X-ray will be taken with the brace on to make sure the brace is doing its job in holding the spinal curvature.
Your doctor will check to make sure the brace fits correctly.
Subsequent follow-up visits will be every 4-6 months. During these visits, X-rays will be taken with the brace off.
Don’t miss or skip appointments: It is very important to keep all your scheduled appointments to make sure your child’s curve is not getting worse while wearing the brace.
Call Your Doctor at OIC If
Your child is not tolerating the new brace after 3 weeks
You have questions as to what activities your child can do in their brace
Your child develops sores under the brace
Your child’s brace cracks breaks, or the straps wear out
Your child’s brace is not fitting well