Patient Info - "Flex" Spinal Brace

Cork Emergency Departments

Introduction

This brace has been prescribed by your clinician to you due to a broken bone (vertebrae) in your back. This brace aims to support your back, giving your bone time to heal. The same way a cast would work after breaking an ankle or wrist.

This leaflet will provide information on how to manage your brace at home, however you should follow all instructions given by your clinicain and his/her team even if different to information provided in this leaflet.

Guidance

Your brace will have been sized and fitted for you by a physiotherapist. You will have been shown how to put the brace on and off prior to discharge from hospital.

The brace is normally worn for between 6 and 12 weeks. When you see the orthopaedic team as an outpatient in fracture clinic, and they are happy with the healing of the bone, they will refer you to physiotherapy to begin weaning from the brace.

This is a gradual process which will take place over a few weeks.

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Complications

If you experience any one or more of the following signs and symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

Sudden loss of feeling in your legs
Sudden loss of strength in your legs
Altered sensation around your private area
Loss of control of bladder or bowel – unable to go or unable to stop yourself from going to the toilet
Sudden changes in your walking pattern or difficulty controlling your walking pattern
Pins and needles/numbness in your limbs

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Putting on your brace

Step 1 — Place both arms through the straps, like putting on a backpack

Step 2 — Wrap the Velcro belt around your waist

Step 3 — Tighten the belt with the "Pull Tabs" until you feel secure whilst still being able to take a deep breath. Attach the tabs to the front of the brace

Step 4 — Standing up straight with shoulders back, tighten the shoulder straps by pulling down

Removing your brace

Undo the ''Pull Tabs'' from the front of the brace
Open the belt around your waist
Remove the shoulder straps as if taking off a backpack

Skin Care Advice

You should wear a tight-fitting vest or t-shirt underneath your brace.

The brace should not rub against your skin.

Check your skin regularly for any signs of irritation i.e. redness, itching and soreness.

You may remove your brace for washing and sleeping.

DO:

Wear the brace throughout the day. It may be removed at night for sleeping
Remain active by taking short walks, little and often, appropriate to your fitness level
Sit in an upright position or in a higher chair, making it easier to rise from
Expect some discomfort as the brace is designed to limit your movement