Summer is here, and the hot, humid weather combined with extended outdoor playtime and activities can pose challenges for children who wear a scoliosis brace. To help, we have gathered some useful tips from trusted sources to assist parents, caregivers and kids cope with summer bracing issues.

Clothing

Check out Staying Cool: What to Wear Over Your Brace in the Summer by the National Scoliosis Center.  The article provides summer wear suggestions, pictures, and examples of loose-fitting garments that are made with lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton-poly blend, lightweight textured fabric, linen, and twill.

Spinal Technology, a leading provider of scoliosis and medical braces, recommends flowing tank tops, tees, and sundresses for girls and larger T-shirts and tank tops that aren't so snug for boys.

Check out Hope’s Closet™ for comfortable and functional clothing for scoliosis brace wearers.  Hope's Closet™ specialty brace shirt come in black or white and are made with dry wicking material that prevents you from getting too hot.

Strategically Plan Summer Activities

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta has advice on how to Plan Bracing Breaks in Advance: Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, your child will have periods of time when they can be brace-free. This may be a couple of hours or several—use this time wisely. Save “off hours” for going outside, playing sports, or taking a dip in the pool. When they are inside enjoying the air conditioning and playing video games or sleeping, the brace should be on.

SpinalTech.com reminds family members and friends that there are only so many hours to spend out of a brace, and that time is precious. Work together to come up with a summer schedule to maximize time for swimming and cool showers to help keep body temperatures cooler.

Skincare

If you are seeing any skin irritation relating to the scoliosis brace or if you have questions on brace modification, we recommend speaking with your Union O & P Orthotist. Union O & P recommends a thin layer of Aquaphor ointment for minor skin irritations.

When addressing skincare, The Children's Hospital of Virginia says it’s normal for kids to develop skin issues, like heat rash, under their scoliosis brace. There are a lot of different solutions for heat rash, so talk with your child about what works for them. Pure aloe vera can be great, but many kids don’t like the way it feels. A lanolin-based moisturizer can help prevent heat rash while also leaving sweat ducts unclogged.

Scoliosis Resources

Meet The Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. Scoliosis Clinical Experts
For National Scoliosis Awareness Month, we invite you to get to know our Pittsburgh scoliosis clinical experts a little better!

Spine Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
The Spine Center at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh provides complete care for children and teens from across the region and throughout the United States.  They offer the safest and newest treatments for childhood scoliosis.

Spinal Condition Support Group
The UPMC Children's Spine Center assists the "Curvy Girls" support group with its meetings throughout the community. The meetings give girls with spine conditions a place to:

• Discuss their treatment
• Offer tips and support
• Share their insecurities about their condition

National Scoliosis Center
National Scoliosis Center (NSC) is a full-service center that is 100% dedicated to using non-surgical, evidence-based medical techniques to treat scoliosis

Scoliosis Research Society
Founded in 1966, the Milwaukee-based Scoliosis Research Society is the premier international society aimed at fostering optimal care for all patients with spinal deformities.

About Union O & P
Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. is a family-owned and operated company with over 100 years of service in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. We have always been dedicated to providing the highest quality of patient care with a professional and compassionate approach. Our services and techniques are continuously being upgraded to achieve the highest standard of excellence.

Locations
Union Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. and De La Torre Orthotics & Prosthetics Co. now offer 19 locations throughout Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. Services may vary by location.

Photo Credits:
Hope's Closet
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta