Anklyosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing Spondylitis is a form of arthritis that causes chronic inflammation of the spinal joints, particularly sacroiliac joints at the base of the spine. Over time inflammation leads to a complete cementing together or fusion of the vertebrae, a process called ankylosis. Ankylosis causes loss of mobility of the spine.
Bracing Recommendation: Bauerfeind LordoLoc, Bauerfeind LumboTrain, Bauerfeind LordoLoc Forte, Ossur Miami Lumbar, Donjoy Regular or Low Profile Back
Compression/Wedge Fracture
A compression fracture is a common fracture of the spine. It implies that the vertebral body has suffered a crush or wedging injury. The vertebral body is the block of bone that makes up the spinal column. Each vertebral body is separated from the other with a disc. When an external force is applied to the spine, such as from a fall or carrying of a sudden heavy weight, the forces may exceed the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. This may cause the front part of the vertebral body to crush forming a wedge shape. This is known as a compression fracture. Bracing Recommendation: Bauerfeind SofTec Lumbo or Dorso, Ossur Miami Lumbar with TLSO attachment, Donjoy TLSO
Low Back Pain/Strain
Low Back pain is a common musculoskeletal disorder affecting 80% of people at some point in their lives. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. It can be either acute(immediately after), sub acute(following few weeks) or chronic(long term) in duration. Bracing Recommendation: Bauerfeind LumboLoc, Bauerfeind LordoLoc, Donjoy Regular or Low Profile, Ossur Miami Lumbar
Post Operative/Recovery
A laminectomy is a surgical procedure in which the posterior arch of a vertebrae is removed. A laminectomy is done to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or on the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal canal. The procedure may be used to treat a slipped or herniated disk. The patient is normally required to be fit for the brace prior to the surgery. A Spinal Fusion is a surgical procedure in which two or more of the vertebrae in the spine are united together so that motion no longer occurs between them. Bone grafts are usually placed around the section of the spine that is to be fused. The body then heals the grafts over several months which joins the vertebrae together. The bone for the graft may be taken from another bone in the patient (autograft) or from a bone bank (allograft). Metal rods, plates, screws and cages may also be used as an internal splint to hold the vertebrae together while the bone grafts heal and the spine fuses. Braces are commonly worn for three months post surgery to protect and support the spine. Bracing Recommendation: Bauerfeind LordoLoc, Bauerfeind LumboLoc, Ossur Miami Lumbar, Donjoy Regular or Low Profile Back
SI Joint
The sacroiliac (SI) joints are formed by the connection of the sacrum and the right and left iliac bones. The sacrum is the triangular-shaped bone in the lower portion of the spine, below the lumbar spine. While most of the bones (vertebrae) of the spine are mobile, the sacrum is made up of five vertebrae that are fused together and do not move. The iliac bones are the two large bones that make up the pelvis. As a result, the SI joints connect the spine to the pelvis. The sacrum and the iliac bones (ileum) are held together by a collection of strong ligaments. There is relatively little motion at the SI joints. There are normally less than 4 degrees of rotation and 2 mm of translation at these joints. Most of the motion in the area of the pelvis occurs either at the hips or the lumbar spine. These joints do need to support the entire weight of the upper body when we are erect, which places a large amount of stress across them. This can lead to wearing of the cartilage of the SI joints and arthritis. Bracing Recommendation: Bauerfeind SacroLoc, IEM SI Belt