Well, after first deep back surgery, I was issued a brace, not of TLSO branding, but a thoracic girdle of sorts [oh yeah, and it was the charm of the friends and co-worker circuit who thought it was fun to poke jubes at me]. That is one of those things you take in stride.

The brace prevented movement in any benidng or twisting motion, a great thing for having had my back split open. It was a wrap around stiff plastic affair which had lacing running up the back attached to large velcro strips by which I tightened the girdle affair around my body as tightly as possible to prevent undesired motion.

Now, as to the use of "the girdle" for SCS implant work. I have never read a single post to the effect of it being prescribed for us after implant. I had "discarded" the trophy of my girdle after holding onto it for a couple of years following the open back affairs.... in fact not too long in months before the subject of SCS had first arisen. Tell you the truth, "the girdle" would have helped me with the whole BLAST routine, and I imagine Rae and all of the others on here who have suffered the FACT of migrating leads would have done much better with one of those "girdles." They would not even have ever become red faced when someone asked them whether maybe it should be adorned with a little LACE. I was.

So, now that you have finished your lurking Eliza, you have brought one of the very BEST inquiries to our whole board. My vote, my answer, is that every SCS surgeon the world over darn well should prescribe "the girdle" as a means of aiding BLAST and helping patients avoid the risk of harm to lead or paddle location.

I do not think I have had any paddle migration of which I am aware, for my signal has been absolutely consistent ever since the day my Boston Sci rep had me program myself. I was told paddle use would be more secure than lead insertion and I opted readily with my surgeon for paddles. I wanted security, and I believe I received it.

So, Eliza, how about you print this out and take it in to your surgeon to inquire whether they will consider prescribing "the girdle" for you. It is an absolute given in the open your back with a zipper kind of orthopedic or neuro surgery, so why not for this one which is every bit as invasive and definitely fraught with the risk bending and twisting can bring.

Yup,
I am with you, and Rae,
Mark56 [there is no "girdle" icon, but this on will do]