DESCRIPTION
The term Thoracic Lumbar Sacral Orthosis, or TLSO is used to describe the areas of the spine that the brace covers, There are many different types of TLSO's and each one will have a specific function, depending on the surgery or injury that is being protected. Before TLSO's came into use, the treatment of choice for immobilizing the spine was the body cast.
PURPOSE
There can be several reasons your Physician has ordered the TLSO for you. If you are recovering from surgery, the brace will help immobilize the surgery area and aid with healing. Should you be healing from a fracture, the TLSO may be used to unload the fracture site, reducing pain and aiding in healing. The brace will slow you down and make it difficult to move into certain positions. Decreasing your ability to move is a positive function of the brace.
WEARING
It is important that the brace be worn properly. Depending on the level of the spine being braced, the TLSO may be higher or lower on the torso. Generally the front of the brace should be close to your lap at the bottom, and lower than your neck at the top when sitting. The back portion should not be touching the chair when sitting, but should cover the upper the upper buttocks. When donning the TLSO, place the back section on first. If necessary, lean against a wall to hold the back piece in place. The straps on the front of the brace are passed through the loops attached to the back of the brace. Once the straps are through the loops, it may be necessary to tighten them several times. The brace needs to be tight to support your back, but not so tight as to interfere with your breathing. The straps should be tightened from bottom to top. If you are eve in doubt about proper placement of the brace, please call as soon as possible.
CLEANING
The material that your TLSO is made of will not soak up water. The outside shell is polyethylene, and the soft inner layer is a closed cell polyethylene foam. The brace should be rinsed out using soap and water when necessary. Towel dry the brace, being sure that there is no soap residue left behind. It is also recommended that a cotton material be worn between the skin and the brace. This can be a T-shirt, tank top, camisole or whatever is comfortable. This will help keep the brace clean.
CONTACT US
If you have any problems with your brace,or if any questions need to be answered , please call us. Occasionally issues come up after you leave the our office or the hospital. We are committed to keeping you as comfortable as possible, so please call. 704-332-5143
We will service your TLSO for a period of one year at no charge for issues that have to do with material defects. This could be for cracked plastic, rivets breaking, or glued parts coming loose, for example. We do not charge for routine adjustments to the brace that may be necessary because of increased activity or improvement in your conditions. We do not warrant normal wear on the straps, or replacement due to patient weight changes.
@2011 Owens Carolina Orthotic and Prosthetic Network Inc.
