Reasons To Have A Backbrace Prescribed

Back braces are often prescribed for the treatment of spinal injury and for back deformities in children; that is, a curvature of the spine. Back braces can be worn on any section of the spine and are often named for the area they are applied. Braces can be prescribed for soft tissue injuries, post surgical treatment or spinal fractures. Their purpose is to immobilise the spine while it is healing. Braces can be flexible or rigid. A flexible brace is typically made from elastic or nylon material and is normally used as a back support for improving posture and relieving back pain. Rigid braces are usually made from plastic with front and back pieces that are fastened together. These are used to immobilize the spine and are necessary in the case of spinal fracture, after spinal surgery or in the treatment of scoliosis in children. In the case of spinal deformities in children, a rigid plastic brace is custom moulded and fitted for the patient.

In the case of children, they are used to prevent a deformity in the curvature of the spine from becoming more pronounced. While the back braces cannot correct a spine deformation, it prevents the condition from worsening. In some cases, there is an initial apparent straightening of the spine when the brace is applied, however when it is removed, the spine curvature will return to its original shape. There are two common types of braces in children: CTLSO (cervical thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis), which is used to treat conditions in the upper back such as kyphosis (resulting in a hunchback) and TLSO (thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis), which treats curves in the mid and lower back (referred to as scoliosis). The success of treating scoliosis in treatment depends on how early a diagnosis is made, whether the spinal curve is moderate rather than severe, how well the brace is fitted and whether the child wears the brace for the prescribed period. In the case of the latter, if a child wears a brace for less than the prescribed period, it may cause their condition to get worse rather than better. When a child is fitted for a brace for scoliosis or kyphasia deformities, a plaster cast is made of the body to ensure that the brace is created with the best fit possible. In addition, x-rays are taken under the guidance of an orthotist before and after the brace has been applied to ensure that the appropriate improvement has been made in the curvature of the back. It is important to wear back braces at all times (except when sleeping) as prescribed by an orthotist until the spine has been healed or until the appropriate condition is helped.