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Scottish National Spine Service NHS Lothian | Our Services

Corrective braces

Thanks to our patients and their families for consenting to these photos and videos being published.

​Your brace will be unique to you. It will be designed for your spinal curve, the aim of your brace and your abilities. You get to choose a transfer or keep it plain white.

A corrective brace aims to delay the progression, and in some cases can reduce the size of your spinal curve. The brace applies corrective forces to your body. Our corrective braces are one piece and have an opening at the back. They are made using “Boston bracing” principles. 

We advise you to wear your brace for 20 hours every day; this means you can have 4 hours out of brace. We recommend that you use your time out to do exercise including sports, P.E and swimming. This will prevent your back and tummy muscles from weakening, which can lead to back pain. 

If your brace is provided by the Glasgow Orthotics team, your brace will include an ibutton. This is a small device which monitors your average wear time. 

You will be asked to wear your brace until you have reached skeletal maturity, or if your spinal deformity progresses and you decide that surgery is the route you would like to take. 

Your brace will need to be replaced as you grow. Your Orthotist may organise a 6 month review but if you feel you have grown, you can also contact your Orthotist and request an appointment.

This aims to correct your spine shape. ​You wear your brace under your clothes so often it does not show.

Young boy wearing spinal brace under loose fitting clothing
Young boy in seated position wearing spinal brace under clothing
Teenaged girl wearing spinal brace under clothing.

Best to wear 20 hours out of every day/night. ​Your brace fits from underneath your armpits – down to your hips.

Young boy wearing spinal brace over white t-shirt
Young boy in seated position wearing spinal brace over grey t-shirt
Teenaged girl wearing spinal brace over white under dress

​It is a one piece of hard plastic with velcro straps on the back.

Young boy wearing spinal brace over white t-shirt facing away from camera
Young boy in seated position wearing spinal brace over grey t-shirt facing away from the camera
Teenaged girl wearing spinal brace over white under dress, facing away from camera.