I've been told sleep in my back whilst wearing this brace (TLSO) 24 hours a day for next 5 weeks (1 week done) This is to aid the healing of T6 & T7 compression fractures. The pain & muscle spasms whilst lying on my back is unbearable. In fact I didn't have these awful muscle spasms before brace went on. I must turn on my side to get some sleep.
Has anyone experienced them & will they pass?
Has anyone else been not able to sleep on back whilst in this back brace?
Hi when I had my compression fractures I was given a TLSO brace, but was told not to wear it at night just in the day, after six weeks when I went to the spinal fracture clinic I was told I didn’t need to wear this brace at all. The muscle spasms are awful and I needed morphine patches after months of pain and taking co-codamol. Hope you get sorted soon I understand how much pain you are in
Hi Sunnygirl69
When I had 2 Lumber fractures I was given a belt, I found it really helpful. If the belt is causing you more pain, maybe you should contact your GP or your consultant for more advice. The pain is bad enough from the fractures without suffering more with the belt. You could also call the helpline here for advice. Hope things improve for you quickly.
Have you tried putting a pillow under your knees when you lie on your back? That might help a bit.
If it's causing you more pain than you can bear, I would either ask for more pain relief meds or take the torturous thing off. It shouldn't make you worse and contorting your back where it doesn't want to be naturally is bound to cause more pain. Best wishes.
Hi Sunnygirl
Yes, the spasms usually pass ok but I know from my own experience that it can take a while and the pain of them is totally off the scale. I got 4 fractures recently, 3 were compression spinal fractures. I only saw the consultant several months later and was issued with a full back brace but was told NOT to wear it when lying down and just to wear it each day for as long as I could bear! Maybe mine was a different kind of brace?? I found it really painful to wear so only wore it when I struggled out for a mini walk each day. 6 weeks later when I saw the consultant again and told him it was painful to wear he said that it's purpose was mainly to reduce the pain so if it wasn't doing that I should just stop wearing it! I know that in theory it helps the fractures to heal more quickly but if it's increasing your pain considerably perhaps you should speak to your doctor or consultant again about that. I found trying to avoid the movements that caused my spasms helped a bit, so maybe sleeping on your back is not the right thing for your particular case. I do sympathise...the spasms are horrendous...but hang on in there Sunnygirl, they should disappear as the fractures heal.
I was never offered any braces. But the pain and spasms were awful. It's time alone that has got me through the acute phase. Mine happened tween December 23 and and Jan to March this year. I described the spasms like being tasered( though I don't know how that feels!). It was like a jolt going thro me. Meds did little to assist.,but it's now December and I can walk for 30mins and enjoy a coffee, just on paracetamol. Though need to lie down when home again. Heat pad over thoracic region sooths me very well. Can't lie on my side though. There is hope for us all. !
I must try a heat pad for my thoracic fracture, Sleeplessinlife, thanks for that tip! It's the only fracture that's still giving me pain but I only got it in August so I was encouraged to hear yours have taken longer than the textbook 3 months...I shall continue to live in hope!!
Is it the adhesive heat pads you use or the wraparound ones Sleeplessinlife? I too cannot sleep on my side now...its a bummer, isn't it!!
It's an electric square plug in pad I use. I tried the adhesive pads, but they were too small and didn't help me
I got a waterbottle from a.azon that you can wrap round with welcome like a belt it is a game changer for me as I have a t12 fracture but I also have horrific pain in thoracic spine so I wrap I round there too it was only 17 pounds and you can do things as your hands are free
Oh that looks promising,I shall seek that out, thank you
Thanks very much for that! And well done on your 30 min walks..fantastic progress!! Have a lovely day 😘
Hi, Pineau,
It is really important keep the muscles warm 4 years ago my daughter turned up with a marvellous heat cloak.
It sits on the upper back and around the neck and fasteners at the front with a couple of press studs .Mine is Navy velour, think of it more as a shirt cloak that sits on the shoulders.
Quite regal actually🤣
Seriously it really is the best thing she has ever bought for me x
I also had a back brace following fracture but was told to take it off at night. The spasms came on early morning before I had the brace on. It seemed to be related to turning. A physio showed me to turn in bed by doing a log roll.. After that I didn't experience any more spasms. I was told the brace was more for comfort than necessary for healing. I've recovered well. I've found that lying on my back for a long time brings on pain. I don't think bodies like to be held in one position for long! I moved to side sleeping as this was natural for me and it doesn't seem to have done me any harm. I hope you will feel better soon. We're with you in spirit! ❤
Are your muscle spasms related to the ‘twitchy’ legs and back I have had for years. They are very uncomfortable. I take ropinerole which helps a bit.
Sleep problems with spinal fractures
Spinal fracture symptoms?
my story
Restless legs and back spasms 
