I am curious why some doctors prescribe the brace after the surgery and others don’t. I understand the pros of the brace – to prevent us from making any wrong moves, like twisting, and protect in case of falling. What is the logic behind for not prescribe a brace – to have back muscles working?
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I have had a brace for every one of my back/neck surgeries. I really like having a brace. The negative is when you want to wean off the brace, you have to build up your muscles.Melissa
Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011
April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery
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I'd be interested in the answer to this question. I wasn't required to wear a brace after surgery T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation. I wonder if the pelvic fixation means the construct is more stable and a brace isn't required? Anyone with pelvic fixation, required to wear a brace? Interesting.Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
Osteotomies and Laminectomies
Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free
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I asked Dr. Lenke's nurse this question. She said Dr. Lenke's thinking is that the internal hardware is strong enough that a brace is usually not needed. (It serves as an internal brace.) But he does use them occasionally, like I think recently with Linda's revision.
I will say that muscles still atrophy, even without wearing a brace, just from not using your back the same way.
Truth be told, I wish I had worn a brace. I think it would have reassured me that I wasn't messing something up.age 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Originally posted by JenniferG View PostI'd be interested in the answer to this question. I wasn't required to wear a brace after surgery T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation. I wonder if the pelvic fixation means the construct is more stable and a brace isn't required? Anyone with pelvic fixation, required to wear a brace? Interesting.I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF
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I wonder if it isn't what the doctor wants to do. Since some do and some don't. I had a brace for 1st surgery--t10-pelvis. Dr said it was to remind me not to twist. Since I fractured through t-9 right after surgery--I hurt the spine any way. Second surgery t2-t10 no brace .Dr said only brace he could have used was a halo--I am glad he didn't!T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
T2--T10 fusion 2/11
C 4-5 fusion 11/14
Right scapulectomy 6/15
Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
Broken neck 9/28/2018
Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
Osteotomy
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I had asked this same question on the forum before my surgery (which was 2 1/2 years ago)when I was told that I wouldn't have to wear a brace and knew that so many on the forum were required to wear one. Dr. Lenke's nurse told me that he prefers that we use muscles rather than relying on the brace. I was afraid that I would forget and bend or twist too much, however, I thought about my back every waking moment during the recovery period so it was not a problem. I also did not roll over for probably a year when sleeping. I just got used to sleeping on my back from the very beginning. I am glad I didn't have to wear a brace, however, if it prevents one from breaking a rod when falling, it would be worth the discomfort.Karen
Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
Rib Hump-GONE!
Age-60 at the time of surgery
Now 66
Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
Retired Kdgn. Teacher
See photobucket link for:
Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/
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i wore a brace for 4 months after surgery. I think it was just a protective measure. Mine was external made of Aluminum.
Wore it anytime I got out of bed. I think they prescribe it for patients who need some additional support for the fusion. Mine was probably because I had three missing pedicles on the left. I also read that it is used in revision cases.
Weaning off the brace was very hard for the first few weeks. Like everyone said, the risk of atrophy needs to be traded off vs risk of something going wrong with the fusion.Congenital Scoliosis and Kyphosis
Diagnosis at Age 42, Main Thoracolumbar curve 72 deg
Surgery on Aug 15, 2012
Fused T4 to L4, 2 SPOs
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Hi...
I think it's really just an MD preference, and usually has nothing to do with what levels have been fused. Of the five surgeon with whom I work, for long instrumented fusions, 2 surgeons prescribe only soft braces and aren't at all strict about making patients wear them, 2 surgeons use off the shelf hard braces, and 1 surgeon uses custom made hard braces. I think the doctors who still use hard braces, do so because they're covered by insurance, and it gives them an extra layer of protection during the early stages of fusion. And, I think the doctors who don't typically use hard braces, think that the implants are so secure that the braces don't really add enough to justify the cost.
The one thing I can tell you for certain is that no one really knows if postop braces are effective.
--LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Just out of curiosity, how tight are these braces? Do they put them on you right away? I ask because I would think that a tightly worn brace over a new surgical site could cause infection. Wounds need to be kept clean and dry, something sweat is not.Be happy!
We don't know what tomorrow brings,
but we are alive today!
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Originally posted by rohrer01 View PostJust out of curiosity, how tight are these braces? Do they put them on you right away? I ask because I would think that a tightly worn brace over a new surgical site could cause infection. Wounds need to be kept clean and dry, something sweat is not.Melissa
Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011
April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery
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Originally posted by rohrer01 View PostJust out of curiosity, how tight are these braces? Do they put them on you right away? I ask because I would think that a tightly worn brace over a new surgical site could cause infection. Wounds need to be kept clean and dry, something sweat is not.
TamenaDiagnosed at age 12 with a double major curve
Braced till age 15
SSBOB T12-L2 Anterior age 34. (October 22,2012) Dr. Robert Gaines Jr. ( Columbia, MO)
Revision Surgery T2-Sacrum with Pelvic Fixation Prosterior age 35 (November 13,2013) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
Revision Surgery L4/L5 due to BMP Complication age 36 (November 20,2014) Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, Mo)
Revision Surgery due to broken rod scheduled for October 19, 2016 with Dr. Michael Kelly (St. Louis, MO)
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Originally posted by rohrer01 View PostJust out of curiosity, how tight are these braces? Do they put them on you right away? I ask because I would think that a tightly worn brace over a new surgical site could cause infection. Wounds need to be kept clean and dry, something sweat is not.I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF
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Originally posted by rohrer01 View PostJust out of curiosity, how tight are these braces? Do they put them on you right away? I ask because I would think that a tightly worn brace over a new surgical site could cause infection. Wounds need to be kept clean and dry, something sweat is not.
Mine was fitted on day 4 after my surgery as you need to be able to stand for ten minutes while they make a plaster cast of your body that is the pattern for the mold. They returned in 2 days with my brace.
SusanAdult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod
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