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Brace AFTER surgery??

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  • Brace AFTER surgery??

    My surgeon has informed me that I will have to wear a custom made moulded brace for 3 months after surgery, all the time except when lying down. Any one else do this? I've heard it can cause muscle atrophy...Did anyone experience this, and how/when do you start getting the muscles back in shape...
    48 yr old female. 80° thoracolumber curve. Surgery Feb 14 2007. Fused T3 - L5. Correction to 23°. Happy!

  • #2
    i will have to wear a brace also for 3 months but havent heard anything about causing anything.
    Trudy T60 L70 posterior surgery feb.8th 2007

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    • #3
      Hi Mouna...

      I think that when you read about muscle atrophy, it's from wearing a brace for a very long period of time. Usually, if an adult wears a post-surgery brace, it's only for 5-6 months at the most.

      I wore a post op brace for a little over 5 months.

      Regards,
      Linda
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      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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      • #4
        Mouna & trudy--I have the Jewett brace..it's a small brace. I was told by my surgeon I needed it for 2 months after surgery & then the 3rd mth 1/2 in & 1/2 out..I still go to P.T./exercise & still wear it to exercise on the machines. I like it for support. As far as I know though, I don't really need it..Ly post-op 5mos... http://lynnebackattack.blogspot.com
        Last edited by lelc2002@yahoo; 02-02-2007, 12:16 PM.

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        • #5
          I got my brace before surgery and wore it immediately after when getting up. I have to wear it all the time except when sleeping or showering. I think I will be wearing it for about 4 months. Really it is strange how much I didn't want to wear it at first but have become addicted to it. It is now my security blanket. I also wear a bone growth stimulator for 4 hours/day and will do this for 9 months. I hope it works as I get tired of having to keep up with it and I have 8 months left.
          Linda G.

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          • #6
            I also wore a brace for 2 or 3 months after surgery and it actually helped me feel a bit more comfortable...and not so afraid of others bumping or hurting me...strange...(after wearing a brace for 4 years - from 3rd-7th grade - I was afraid to go without I'm post op 20+ years and no atrophy that I'm aware of

            Always Smilin'
            Colleen

            1982 fused T2-L1
            pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
            pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

            recheck 2006
            right thoracic 57
            lower lumbar 34

            surgical revision April 28,2009
            revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
            unsure of degrees at this point

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            • #7
              Hi Mouna,

              I wore the "turtle shell" brace for several months after my surgery. Make sure that what ever brace you have to leave the hospital with, fits you properly. I didn't and it was a mistake.

              I was also told that I could go without it while sleeping and showering. The showering part was a no brainer, but I tried to sleep without it for the first 2 nights and I was scared to death that I would move or do something to hurt myself without it.

              I ended up sleeping in it for months, it was like a security blanket for me. I honestly can't say that I made the right choice or not. It wasn't the most comfortable thing to sleep in, but I couldn't sleep without it.

              Shari

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              • #8
                Thanks...

                Thanks for your replies...I feel better about the brace
                48 yr old female. 80° thoracolumber curve. Surgery Feb 14 2007. Fused T3 - L5. Correction to 23°. Happy!

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                • #9
                  I was supposed to wear a brace but mine did not fit properly after the surgery because of anterior swelling. They made me another but I was more comfortable without it. Because I had a lot of pain in the front it actually prohibited me more than it helped. Finally my surgeon told me not to wear it.
                  surgery 9/06
                  Rothman institute

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                  • #10
                    I was fitted for my "turtle shell" the day after surgery. I did have to go to the company that made it to have it re-fitted because I was so swollen when they measured me. It took about 20 mins for them to fix it.

                    I wore it whenever I was out of the hospital bed but one morning my surgeon told me not to wear it when I was taken downstairs for x-ray. He explained that while he did want me to wear it often, he didn't want me to feel as though I couldn't go without it. I wore it whenever I was out of bed but after about 4 weeks, I began wearing it less and was given the official "release" from my surgeon shortly after 8 weeks.

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                    • #11
                      Bra?...

                      Thanks for all yr comments. Can you wear a bra after surgery, with or without the brace? Does the brace cover your chest area?
                      48 yr old female. 80° thoracolumber curve. Surgery Feb 14 2007. Fused T3 - L5. Correction to 23°. Happy!

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                      • #12
                        Hi Mouna,
                        I didn't have a brace after any of my sugeries, however, I did find a bra that did up in the front really helpful! If you can wear a bra with the brace, you might find it easier if it does up in the front, rather than reaching around the back. Best wishes!
                        Cena
                        Cena
                        Nov. 2006 - revision surgery
                        Aug. 1992 - revision surgery for hook removal and pseudoarthrosis
                        July 1989 - Cortrell Doubosett procedure - two rods and fusion T4-L4 (age 13)

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                        • #13
                          Hi

                          it all depends on what type of brace you have.

                          Im in England and had posterior surgery in aug 06. my brace is a solid cast at the back with material front that you fasten like a corset and padded arm bands..so couture!!!

                          where as one of the girls i met in hospital had a different type of surgery that was done from back and side and her brace was solid cast at front and back.

                          Its nearly 6 months since my op but im not out of my brace yet fully. im sort of attached to it now.

                          i started wearing a bra a couple of months a go it depends on how you feel your wound is healing.

                          hope this has helped

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                          • #14
                            The top of my incision was right at the point where the back of your bra would be. I had no interest in wearing one. I wore an undershirt. I guess I started wearing one at about 10 weeks. Before that I couldn't care less.
                            surgery 9/06
                            Rothman institute

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                            • #15
                              Hi Mouna,

                              My brace went from above my chest to my hips. And I always wore a T-shirt under it. I eventually ended up having my husband cut out the "boob" area of the brace because it was not in the same place my boobs actually were!!!

                              I was measured for the brace while I was lying down, and it just didn't fit comfortably for several reasons. I left the hospital before my brace was properly fitted and it was quite uncomfortable for a couple of reasons!!!

                              My advice is to get it fitted the right way before you leave the hospital!!!

                              Shari

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