558 chapter 58
BODY SUPPORTS
In most cases, a body brace or body jacket
probably does little or nothing to correct or
prevent further curving of the spine. However,
a child with a ‘flail’ spine that curves so
much that it makes sitting difficult or
awkward, may sit more comfortably and have
more use of her arms if she has a body brace.
Making a plastic body brace
1. Put
small pads
over upper
outer
corners of
hipbone.
2. Put a stockinette or
old tight-fitting shirt
on the child.
Tie a cloth
band or soft
rope tightly
over the hip
bones so that
it pulls in
the waist.
3. Cast the child’s body with plaster bandage
while holding her in a sitting position.*
Press plaster
into groove
here.
While the plaster
dries, hold the
child as straight
as you can.
Bring plaster
down to the
level of the
seat.
This ‘shelf’ over
the hip bones
becomes a base
for the final
brace to hold her
body upright.
4. Cut the
cast into 2
halves and
remove.
5. Tape or tie
the 2 halves
of the cast
together and
put it into a
plastic bag.
6. Make a solid plaster
mold inside the cast
(see p. 552).
metal
rod
7. Remove the plaster mold
and smooth it carefully to
keep its shape, especially
the waist and hip curves.
You can make
it lighter and
save plaster by
mixing sawdust
or bits of plastic
foam into the
plaster.
8. Stretch hot plastic
over the mold as
described on p. 555.
If your oven or sheets
of plastic are not big
enough, you may have
to mold it in 2 halves,
front and back.
9. Mark and cut
the plastic.
Leave a little
room under arms.
Cut breathing
holes and perhaps
a large central
hole over the
stomach.
10. Try it on the child.
Make adjustments.
Smooth edges. Add
padding and straps.
A body brace attached
to leg braces may
be needed by a child
whose body is weak
from the chest down.
The bottom of the
brace should just
touch the seat when
the child sits.
*Casting can also be done with the child lying lengthwise over a wide strip of cloth stretched between two points.
Disabled village Children