The following program is designed to help your skin and muscles adjust to wearing the Orthosis. It is a gradual build-up of time that usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. This program is a generic type and can be modified to accommodate your own unique schedule.

STAGE I

• Apply the Orthosis properly as described in section A and wear it for 2 hours straight without removing it. Take it off and check your skin and give care as described in section B.
• If the skin is PINK, put the Orthosis back on for 2 more hours. After that, check the skin again. Do this again for the third 2-hour period.
• If the skin is RED and SORE, leave the Orthosis off for 30 minutes and then put it back on again.
• It is important that you can tell the difference between PINK and RED skin. Your Orthotist will be able to help you with this when you first receive your Orthosis.
• During the school year, this stage is done easily after coming home.
• This stage usually lasts 5 to 7 days.

• If the Orthosis is well tolerated for Stage I, the next stage is wearing it for 10 hours. It is difficult to accomplish this stage during school, so this stage is best accomplished during a weekend.
• Start by putting it on for 4 hours. Then remove it and check the skin and give care. Put it back on and in 2 hours check the skin. Give skin care and put it back on. Repeat this every 2 hours until you have completed 10 hours.
• If the skin is RED and SORE, wait 30 minutes before putting it back on again.
• When this stage is completed, the Orthosis can be worn to school.
• This stage usually lasts 1 weekend.

• Once you have tolerated wearing your Orthosis for 10 hours straight, you can proceed to wearing it for 20 hours. This can be done by putting it on in the morning and wearing it to class.
• Four hours later, at lunch time, take it off and check your skin. Put it back on with the help of the school's nurse or a close friend. You should instruct your helper on how it goes on. After school, take it off and give skin care.
• After supper, put it on again. Before bed, take it off to check the skin and put it back on.
• Wear it all night. It should be worn all night without checking unless you have discomfort.
• This stage is the most difficult because most people are nervous about wearing it to school for the first time.
• This stage will usually last about 2 to 3 days.

• Once you can sleep in your Orthosis overnight, you move on to wearing it all day and night except for 1 hour. The hour you are out of it is used for taking care of your skin , washing, and out-of-the-Orthosis exercises. Remember, you have exercises to do as well.
• In addition, you should have skin care 2 times during the day.
• A helpful schedule is:
  BEFORE SLEEP: Wash the Orthosis as outlined here. REMEMBER, THIS IS YOUR JOB. While it is drying, do your exercises, take a bath or shower, and give skin care. Put on a clean T-shirt and then the Orthosis for the night.
  IN THE MORNING: Take it off to care for the skin and put on a clean undergarment. Put it on again.
  AFTER SCHOOL: Take it off to care for your skin. Put on a clean undershirt and put your Orthosis back on.

Some Notes on Skin Care