Back Braces For Osteoporosis
What is Osteoporosis?
As the name suggests, osteoporosis is a condition in which bones begin to become porous, fragile, and brittle. It is hard to detect in its initial stages, tends to progress, and gets much worse with age.
There is an inherent difference in the rate of formation of new bones and the resorption of old bones. The body compensates by leeching calcium from the bones to maintain blood calcium levels.
In the initial and mild stages of the condition, the patient experiences pain and discomfort in the spine. However, as the condition progresses, the entire skeletal system is compromised, and there is an increased risk of damage and fractures. A patient’s quality of life is compromised, and their mobility is severely restricted.
OSTEOPOROSIS – Consequences for the spine
The spine bears the weight of the head and upper body as the central bony axis of the body. Thus, it is one of the first areas of the body that is affected when a patient suffers from osteoporosis.
The vertebrae become fragile, and even minor incidents can lead to fractures. In some cases, the form of the thoracic vertebrae collapses, resulting in so-called wedge vertebrae.
Patients tend to develop a prominent forward curvature (a forward bend) called Kyphosis of the thoracic spine. In the long run, kyphosis can have significant consequences, including impaired breathing and cardiac activity.
Orthosis is crucial in stabilising the compromised spine and providing ample support to ensure a stress-free vertical alignment. The combination of a tension belt system and anatomically shaped adjustable rods provides robust support to the spinal cord, making it easier for patients to stand upright. It also alleviates pain and discomfort by relieving the vertebrae.
Back Braces in Conservative-Functional Therapy
Medical orthoses or back braces can be instrumental in all forms of conservative functional therapy. They provide much-needed support and guidance, preventing further damage and curbing the progression of the condition. Back braces are highly recommended to allow for regulated physiotherapy since they encourage health proprioception.
The added stability also profoundly affects patients' psychological states. It eliminates the danger of unnatural movements or buckling of compromised bones.
The resulting feeling of security, in turn, increases the effectiveness of the physiotherapy exercises and home exercise programs. This enables patients affected by osteoporosis to achieve their essential therapy goals.
The orthosis also helps to reduce excessive loads on the leading edges of the vertebrae through active straightening, preventing wedge vertebrae and kyphosis.
Orthosis in Post-Operative Care
In advanced patients with a collapse or fracturing of the vertebral column, surgical intervention might be necessary. Patients can look to radical surgical procedures like Kyphoplasty, Vascularplasty and Elastoplasty to alleviate symptoms and seek relief if all conservative approaches fail.
Today, surgeons can surgically correct the curvature of the lumbar spine (Both in cases of forward and backward curvature—hyperkyphosis and Hyperlordosis).
A specially formulated bone cement formula is directly injected into the fracture and used effectively as treatment. However, this can apply excess stress on the adjacent spine segments and can lead to connection fractures.
Orthosis can again be instrumental for a patient’s prognosis. The functional unit of the back splint, pelvic bandage and tension belt system relieves the thoracic spine more than a normal corset and ensures an even distribution of force in the affected area.
As a result, the spine can be effectively relieved and stabilised until the bone density has improved with the help of a combination therapy, and the orthosis can be gradually removed.
Orthoses Provide Stabilisation and Relief of the Spine
Bauerfeind Spinova Osteo
Medical back braces like the Spinova Osteo are valuable treatment tools for patients with osteoporosis. The brace effectively relieves the back and provides a feeling of stability.
The brace encourages healthy proprioception and can help the patient maintain an upright posture. The Spinova Osteo helps build strength in the back muscles and facilitates recovery.
The ergonomically shaped aluminium recliner in the back stabilises the thoracic and lumbar spine. The recliner forms a functional unit with the pelvic bandage made of airy, breathable mesh material and supports the transition between the spine and pelvis.
The Spinova Osteo is light and comfortable to wear, adapts to the individual body shape and is hardly visible under clothing due to its construction. As an everyday companion, the Spinova osteoporosis orthosis thus becomes an essential component of therapy, exercise and nutrition programs. It effectively supports medication and prevents consequential damage caused by the disease.