Just got brace for 5 y.o./NEED HELP

[ltbrown76]

Hi there,

I'm pretty new to the forum, but love the support. My 5yo was diagnosed with a 49 upper & 40 lower degree curves about 5 months ago. She got her first brace last Friday and is adjusting well. The dr. said it is similar to a boston brace, but is considered a costum brace. She's having trouble getting on & off the potty and sitting on it seems painful. Any ideas to help us, especially at school?

Thanks

[Esa]

Welcome to the forum! There is a lot of great support here. Jasmine, my 8 year old was diagnosed at 1, and has been wearing a boston brace since. Getting on & off the potty-is her brace getting stuck on the edge of the seat? Maybe a step stool would help so she'd be just that little bit higher. As for school, Jasmine's teacher makes special considerations for her, especially if everyone is supposed to be sitting on their pockets. Sometimes Jasmine will be allowed to sit in a chair in the back, other times she just sits on her knees and moves around as needed. As for sitting in a chair for a long time, I think that just gets better over time, by learning to sit and move around a little to take the pressure off when needed. Unless it's still a bit too long in the front and cuts off the circulation to her legs (that's happened to Jas too) Are you close enough to your Dr to be able to go back and have adjustments made? We're lucky enough to live 20 minutes away from the Salt Lake City Shriners, and so just made appointments with the prosthetic/orthotics department to have the adjustments made. Hope this helps a little! Good luck!