Natalies Brace

This type of brace is known as a TLSO brace ( aka Boston brace ).

My doctor wants me to wear my brace 18-20 hours a day.

My orthotist, Luke, wants me in it 23 hours a day.

Me, I guess I'd rather not be in it all !

On the right is my first brace (from when I was 6 years old !) If you look at the straps on the top and bottom, you can see some colored lines on them. These lines show how far I had to tighten the straps. The strap is velcro, and goes through the metal loop to the right of the strap and gets pulled tight.

I started out at the green line when I first got my brace. When I go and see Luke, he checks out how my brace is fitting and how I am doing. When I first got the brace, I had to go a few times to get everything adjusted, and when Luke tightened me up, I got a new color on the strap.

It hurts a little bit, for a few days, after I get the brace tightened, but I can handle it.

I also have a big hole cut out on the left side. This is the side that my curve is getting pushed toward.

The metal rivets that hold the different pieces together are covered with soft stickers, to keep the metal from rubbing on the inside of my clothes.
I also have a sling on the back on the right side. By tightening the sling, it pulls my right shoulder forward.

My night brace

This type of brace is known as a Charleston Bending Brace ( aka "nighttime" brace ).

I used to wear this one when I went to bed. When this brace was cast, I was really bent sideways, and the brace applies even more pressure to straighten me out when I was laying down ! Now, I am back to wearing the same brace, both day and night.

So, how do you make a brace ?

Here is a good link on bracing: John Hopkins Pediatric Orthopaedics
Well , it used to be a good link. Now it's dead. [update me]
I also have some pictures of my brace being made.