question about the lumbar brace

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vicki19

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Hi all... I have a question about the brace I have to wear. I had luraber fusion, anterior and posterior on Dec. 2nd. All the paperwork I've read says wear the brace at all times except in bed and the shower. My surgeons asst. said I did not have to wear it in the house.... meaning when I'm just sitting or lying around. Of course yes, if I getting up and down, yes. So I was wondering what everyone else is doing? Do you wear the brace when you're on the couch or chair reading or watching TV? I find it is very uncomfortable to sit with it. Maybe its my couch. I'm much more comfortable fixing a bunch of pillows under and around me. I very careful not to bend or twist. Just wondering what others are doing. Also driving with it is uncomfortable. It might be because I'm still having pain, but I really don't like driving with it. I guess I'm complaining. I had to wear the cervical collar for three months for my cervical fusion and got used to it. I guess I'll get used to this one too. Although that was soft and this one is not. thx for any responses!
 
My orders were that the brace was to be removed only for bed and shower. Mine had a thigh attachment which was a hinged bar attached to main brace, and it needed to be locked unless sitting. After 3 weeks I was aloud to unhinge and walk "normally". Essentially the brace is a cast. It was very uncomfortable, and I called it the death trap from hell... but I kept it on at all times. At this early stage, I wouldn't even think about removing it, especially when sitting or driving. It's true it is very uncomfortable, and for me I think it may have caused more pain than what was necessary, but if you think about it as being a cast... you are fortunate that it can come off for bed and showers in that a plaster cast could not be removed at all.

It was very scary walking from the beRABide to the shower without it on. The idea of pulling a screw far outweighed the discomfort. I'm 8 weeks out now, and at the 6-week period it took 8-days to completely wean from it. Though I'm out of it, I'm still not firm in the mid section yet.

I'm 57 years old, 6'-2, and weigh 185. I was very athletic before my surgeries. Looking back, I am absolutely certain that the brace held me together during those crucial first weeks... and I actually missed it soon after it was off, because of the amount of support it gave. Don't mess with this unless for some reason your surgeon gives you specific instructions, etc.

Hope this helps, though I suspect you wont much like what I have said here.

Good luck!
 
Hi... yes, mine has velcro straps. I'm wearing it as I know I'm supposed to. It's getting less annoying and I certainly want to do everything I should do to ensure a proper fusion/healing. I've done quite a bit today and kept it on the whole time. I probably will take it off if I know I'm going to be sedentary for quite some time on the couch. I have figured out a way on the couch and tons of pillows to recline as if I was on a hospital bed making sure I keep my back straight. And then I stay put. Many times that's when I will get a couple of hours of the bone stimulator in as well. But it is getting easier to wear as my pain is going away. I do return to work in a couple of weeks (after holidays) and will have to tolerate it for a long period of time of sitting so I'm glad I'm getting used to it. :)
 
I also have a velcro (in the front closure) brace with hard plates inside front and back..2 sort of string pulls like a corset to adjust the tightness. I wear it any time I am not laying...I do not wear it on the couch or when I use the bathroom, or shower but any other time I do and its fine. I wear mine over what ever other clothing Im wearing for the day..as a girl I really dont have anything but my husbanRAB sweatshirt that would actually fit over. I find the brace actually comfortable in the sense I feel supported when I move..I was told I had to use it at least till my 6 week visit to the Pys Asst. That is 2 more weeks away as I am just over a month post. The first week following surgery or maybe 10 days it killed at the incision area as it pressed against a sort of wrinkle the steri strips were making in my skin then...once the strips came off its ok. My actual instructions were to wear it all the time I was not laying down or showering. I have not been given permission to drive..I am JEALOUS...in that I have to ask hub and son to take me everywhere. Im not sure why I cant actually, as I sit on the passenger side and take all the bumps of the road as if I were driving..not sure what the theory is on not driving..best wishes Lena
 
my TLSO brace was to be worn anytime I wasnt in an actual bed ("a couch is not a bed" according to my doc, heh) and shower.

I would talk to the actual doctor who did the surgery, not his assistant, to get the real story.

I wound up wearing my brace for about 10-12 weeks as I recall.
 
Hi~ your brace sounRAB a little different than mine. I can only tighten with the velcro. Like you, I feel better wearing it because of the support it gives. When I don't have it on I am overly concious of every movement I make which is probably good. I am glad to hear there is someone else that will sit on the couch without it. I live in a small apt and I remeraber asking my surgeons asst about wearing it when I'm sitting around and I'm sure she said I didn't have to wear it then. Only when I'm moving around alot doing things or going out of the house, etc. I did not even wear the brace at all in the hospital. I wonder, did others get their braces on right away. I was in the hospital 3 days, PT getting me up and walking and I never had the brace on. But it is easier to wear now that the incisions have healed and the pain is less everyday. I can't wait to find out how long I have to wear it. I haven't been told that yet. I'm worried about sitting all day at work with it. I'll be able to get up alot of course, and I think I'll bring some pillows in.... :) Thanks for responding~
Vicki
 
my brace was delivered to me the day of the surgery and I had it on the for the 1st walk (and all others of course). not sure why yours wasnt but different docs have different opinions maybe.



I think I had permission to drive about 6 weeks? hard to remeraber now it was a long time ago.

its not really about sitting and bumps. part of it is they want to make sure you have enough strength to steer and brake in panic situations without messing up the incision/hardware/vertebrae alignment etc. you use a lot of back muscle braking and turning, more than you might think. part is also they want you to be acclimated to the pain killers and not nod out while tooling down the highway at 65.
 
thanks to all for your responses. You're right, I really didn't like them but I know its best to wear it at all times. And I am... most of the time. But I will take it off sometimes still when I'm laying on the couch especially with the bone stimlumlator on. I would never drive without it either. I guess it was all wishful thinking.
Also, I think I was wearing it too tight. thx again...
 
Hi all.....

I was fitted for my brace the day of surgery. It actually makes my belly feel better. And my back. I have a belly incision. Makes me feel more secure. I was told to wear the brace at all times except while sleeping and of course while showering. As far as driving, I dont think it would be safe driving while healing. I would think that slamming on your brake to avoid an accident would be quite painful and also bad on the healing issue. My doc told me absolutely NO driving for at least a month. And maybe longer depending on how the healing is doing. I, myself, would NOT want to jeopardize 1 thing with the healing of this HA I am ready to get backto living life in as much pain free as possible. I feel as if I am doing great :) So far.....so good :)

LYNN
 
mine had velcro closures, yours is the same?

the brace is supposed to be fairly tight, and you may need to re tighten it as you wear it as it tenRAB to loosen up. if its loose its not supporting your back the way its designed to.

I would wear it even on a couch as couches are usually very soft and will not support you back in a proper way.

for clothing for wearing under it, I used fairly tight fitting cotton t shirts as any folRAB or wrinkles under it will be very annoying.. and remove any tags. try to find ones with no seams along the sides, or at least seams that are as smooth as possible as seams suck too. then I just wore shirts etc over the brace.

Im male so obviously dont wear a bra but you might consider going without one if you wear one with the brace and it bothers you. hopefully the seasoned females here will chime in as Im not qualified ;)
 
I was not allowed to drive until 12 weeks with any of my surgeries. I have had 5. Recently I just had 5 and my surgeon told me this time not to even consider it and we would address it down the road.

I too am supposed to wear my brace at all times unless I am lying in bed or showering. Generally my doc has allowed me to wean down around the 9 to 12 week time frame.

My biggest advice is to talk to your surgeon as he knows your case best and what the particulars are of your condition and whether your case requires 9, 12, or more weeks. One thing I have learned thru these surgeries is that you need to look at your recovery as an investment in your future. Don't rush anything, listen to your doctor as he knows your particular case, be sure to use grabbers because if you bend it takes the fusion alot more work to fuse the bone together, and if it is icy stay home regardless. It is not worth the risk of falling.

Blessings, Pepper
 
The brace is to remind you to not to do something stupid but it is very important to wear it while driving or away from home. They have screwed and glued you back together so they are not worried about the surgery itself...what they are more worried about is what OTHERS do... ALWAYS wear it when you walk out the front door. You never know who is going to bang into you either in a car,or just walking or just slipping. My husband slipped on the ice and up went his feet and fell flat on his back...if he hadn't had his clam shell on he would of been right back in surgery which already took 10 hours. So no matter how uncomfortable be sure to wear that brace for as long as they tell you to(for him it was 3 months from the date of surgery). A cane is also a good thing to use with it. Sorry you have to go through this. good luck
 
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