Stuck in a TLSO Clamshell Back Brace? Here Are a Few Tips

The thoracolumbosacral orthosis (Clamshell) brace, better known as a TLSO, is a hard plastic shell going from one's collarbone to hips. It is used in lieu of surgery for back injuries, as well as to treat scoliosis in adolescents. Here are a few tips for anyone finding themselves with a new TLSO Clamshell Back Brace.

Do not, I repeat, do not think that it doesn't matter if your shirt underneath is baggy. If you do not follow your health providers advice and buy some very tight, thin t-shirts but rather go ahead and use what you have, after about an hour you will be left wriggling around, wishing for knitting needles as the fabric will chaf beneath your shell. It is a huge pain to put the brace on and off, so save yourself the irritation and effort and chip in for a few new appropriate undershirts.

Tape the Velcro down. Yet another annoying step to life in a brace, but it will avoid trapping every pilly piece of fluff that comes your way. Additionally, it will make you look a little more normal if you wear a shirt or sweater over the brace- otherwise it looks as if you have tentacles bursting to get out.

Be sure to warn friends and family without whining. No one wants to hear your woes after the first week of recovery, but it isn't fair to then laugh when they whack their head/wrist/chest against your plastic exterior.

Wear loose fitting pants. Anything tight or constricting will not only pinch your skin where it meets with the brace, it will cut off circulation to your thighs.

MOST OF ALL
Find humor in your situation. Let's face it, if you're in a brace you could have fared much worse from being in a wheelchair to being bedridden. So laugh at your creaking, strange bruises, and new, rectangular torso because I'm sure a ton of people in the world would gladly trade places with you! Go ahead and laugh and enjoy it the best you can. You might as well enjoy the situation. You got the brace and the brace is on you!