Re: Need input on back braces

[Guest guest]

Colleen,

I feel your pain...literally.

I've worn several back braces over the last 17 years but the first one think was

the most comfortable was my first. It was inflatable. It had air channels and a

bulb to inflate once it was put on. What made it comfortable and actually worked

was that it would inflate and support literally to my back. Im not sure if they

still even have them or where I actually got it but I suspect maybe Hanger would

have it.

I wore it for almost a year going thru PT and even worked in it until my back

deteriorated so much that I had to have surgery. I had an anatomical fusion at

L3-L5 in 95', a Synthes Pro Disc L(umbar) in Sept. '07 at L5-S1 due to herniated

disc and DDD, and a Pro Disc C(ervical) at C6-C7 July 09'. I am thrilled with

the Synthes with great results and highly recommend it.

Andria

> Colleen wrote:

> I know some of you have had experiences with back braces and I would like your

input.

[Guest guest]

Colleen wrote:

> I know some of you have had experiences with back braces and I would like your

input.

Hi Colleen

A well fitted brace would likely give you relief from the kyphosis and

scoliosis, but it probably would give you much less relief from the

other damage.

If your surgeon is really good, try the back brace he selects. Then,

later go back to him for surgery on what you find isn't being helped by

the brace.

I went through lots of physiotherapy, back braces, traction, etc. Then

I had very successful lumbar surgery, done by a surgeon I trusted. He

gave me references to call. He didn't just give me references of

patients that had good results. He gave me ones who had not been helped

by surgery. He also fitted me with a new brace after surgery, to help

support my spine while it healed.

He has been retired for years now. I wish I could find someone I

trusted even half as much, to do some work on my neck.

I hope the brace the surgeon chooses gives you plenty of relief. It's

not a lifelong answer, but it should help.

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Coleen wrote:

> I know some of you have had experiences with back braces and I would like your

input.

Coleen,

I wear a Sacral Iliac Belt and brace sometimes, I would try it and this is a

common practice. I would do the research, back brace for kyphosis. It holds

the pressure off the stenosis as I tend to bend over and my physical therapist

says we need more abdominal strength to hold our vertabrae in line but with what

we have it could give you support.

If you trust him, try it first, read the research. Bennie

[Guest guest]

He sounds like a jewel of a surgeon to me. I hope you do find relief without

needing surgery though.

Jennette

Colleen wrote:

He does his best to remedy the situation.

He says if it comes to that with me, he cannot guarantee 100% relief of pain,

only maybe 50% relief. But that in itself would be great.

[Guest guest]

The first time I met my surgeon 17 years ago, the first words out

of his mouth before he started asking me questions were " I refuse

to do surgery on you! "

We went through all types of treatment options for a year but when those failed

he did a myelogram and CT and when I next saw him he threw up my films and said

" WHEN I do the surgery this is what I'm going to do. " It is because of those

words I stay with him. It is extremely important as a patient to have faith and

trust in your surgeon because that is what gives you the peace of mind while you

are healing.

If you find a surgeon who only wants to cut and not try other options, that

would frighten me. My surgeon treats me as his colleague and what would he tell

them, wait til you can't stand the pain, wait until it impacts every aspects of

your life because you can only go up.

Andria

>Jennette wrote:

> He sounds like a jewel of a surgeon to me. I hope you do find relief without

needing surgery though.