New Year’s Resolutions from Boston O&P
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Resolving to be healthier is one of the most popular ways people start the new year, and 2019 is no exception. While exercising more and eating healthier—the two top New Year's resolutions according to a survey by YouGov—are great steps in the right direction, anyone prescribed to wear an orthotic device should add another resolution to the list—wearing the device for the prescribed amount of time for the best possible results.
In the spirit of the New Year, Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics offers these specific resolutions to improve our patients’ health, well-being and quality of life in 2019.
New Year’s Resolution #1: I will wear my Boston Brace for the prescribed amount of time.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, which tracked 242 patients aged 10-15, found a strong positive association between the amount of time spent wearing a scoliosis brace and the rate of success.
The rate of treatment success was 72% in the bracing group and 48% in the observation group, and treatment results improved with longer brace wearing time. Patients who wore their braces for more than 13 hours a day experienced a 90-93% success rate, compared to 41% for those who wore the braces infrequently.
The effectiveness of braces was so apparent that the study was stopped to allow the patients in the observation group to take advantage of the treatment benefits of bracing.
At Boston O&P, we typically see prescribed brace wearing times in the 15-18 hour range. To make sure you’re getting the most benefit from your bracing treatment, make a New Year’s resolutions to hit that goal every day!
New Year’s Resolution #2: I will wear my Boston Brace 3D® for the prescribed amount of time.
The Boston Brace 3D is the latest, most advanced version of the Boston Brace, which is the industry standard for the non-operative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. The Boston Brace 3D features an improved brace design and is custom-fabricated for each individual patient using advanced CAD/CAM technology.
Most patients achieve greater than 50% correction of the primary curve when wearing the Boston Brace 3D, but adhering to the prescribed wear schedule is crucial to the success of the treatment.
Fortunately, all Boston Brace 3D braces can be equipped with the iButton thermal sensor, which monitors wear for better outcomes, so keeping your New Year’s resolution will be easy!
New Year’s Resolution #3: I will make sure my baby wears the Boston Band for the prescribed amount of time to correct plagiocephaly.
Wearing a cranial remolding orthosis like the Boston Band does not cause your baby any pain, does not interfere with sleep, and is very effective at correcting flat head syndrome.
For the best results, the Boston Band should be worn 23 hours a day, but the treatment will be over before you know it—at Boston O&P, more than 80% of our plagiocephaly patients are done with treatment in less than 14 weeks.
New Year’s Resolution #4: I will wear my orthotic device for the prescribed amount of time to improve my treatment.
Boston Orthotics & Prosthetics specializes in both Dynamic Movement Orthoses (DMOs) and lower limb orthotics.
DMOs can be extremely effective at improving muscle tone, bodily control, and posture, as well as reducing involuntary movements; while custom-fabricated or off-the-shelf lower limb orthotics can improve stability, control, range of motion, and tone.
Compliance is an essential part of orthotics treatment. If the orthosis is not worn as prescribed, the treatment will not work. Make a resolution to comply with wear schedules for the best results for your health!
“At Boston O&P, our top priority is making sure you get the best, most effective treatment," said Jim Wynne, CPO, Director of Training and Education. "But we need your help! We use the most innovative orthotic treatment products available, but they work best if you wear them for the prescribed amount of time. When you’re making your New Year’s resolutions for 2018, make your health a priority and add 'wearing my device as prescribed' to your list."