Clinical Uses for Spinal Bracing
Spinal braces or supports are commonly used to treat conditions such as:
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Low back pain
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Trauma
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Spinal infections
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Muscular weakness
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Osteoporosis
Spinal orthotics such as braces, belts, and jackets are designed to immobilize and support the spine to prevent excessive movement. Depending on the model that is used, the spinal brace can put the spine in a neutral, upright, hyper-extended, flexed, or lateral flexed position.
Goals of Spinal Bracing
Spinal bracing is used for a variety of reasons:
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Pain management
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Reduce the risk of further spinal injury
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Create a healing environment for the spinal structures
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Compensate for muscle weakness
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Prevent or correct a deformity
More specifically, lumbar corsets and braces compress the abdomen, which increases the intra-abdominal pressure. This act allows pressure on the vertebral column to unload, providing some relief.
There are other reasons why bracing is used in the management of spinal conditions. One is the theory that they insulate the skin, producing increased warmth which in turn decreases the sensation of pain – much like a heating pad. Another reason is that the increase in abdominal pressure produces hydraulic support for the back.
Finally, certain types of movement may cause stress to the pain generators in the back. The decrease in certain ranges of motion through bracing may relieve this type of pain.
Pros and Cons of Spinal Bracing
There are many benefits to spinal bracing or spinal orthotics, including pain relief, confidence in movement, and reduced susceptibility to further injury.
Though the effects of bracing are primarily positive, back braces can lead to a loss of muscle function due to inactivity. In some cases, bracing can lead to psychological addiction. When this happens, the patient is dependent on the back brace, even when their body is healed and ready to support itself.
TLSO SPINAL BRACE
The decision to brace is important in the treatment of adolescent scoliosis. The goal of bracing is to prevent the existing curvature from progressing while the patient is growing. Bracing is usually done for a scoliosis curvature measured from 25◦ to 40◦ or curves that show progression over time. Population based studies have shown a high likelihood of adult progression when these curvatures are left alone in adolescence to curves often needing surgical correction. Bracing is done to halt this progression in hopes of avoiding eventual surgery. Curves that are 30° to 35° may progress into adulthood and can cause increasing back pain, accelerated disc degeneration, and deformity. Surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is usually necessary for curves larger than 40° to 45 degrees. Bracing is not recommended for larger curves as it will not change the need for surgical correction.
Your doctor will advise if a custom made back brace is appropriate for your child’s treatment.
For patients who need a brace, a light weight thoracolumbosacral (TLSO) brace is most commonly used. This lightweight brace is custom molded to the patient’s body and is worn under clothes. The brace is most effective when worn constantly and should be worn as much as possible. We recommend 22-23 hours a day. The child may still participate in most sports and activities and on average come out of the brace for hygiene and an hour for activity.
In 2013, a New England Journal of Medicine study was published on the Effects of Bracing in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis. This study was a multi center study in the US and Canada that looked at outcome differences in patients instructed to wear a rigid brace for at least 18 hours a day versus an observation group. Treatment failure was measured as curve progression to 50 degrees or more. Treatment success was defined as skeletal maturity without this degree of curve progression. The target population was patients with high-risk adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who met brace indications. The majority of patients were placed in a TLSO brace. This trial was actually stopped early because initial results showed a convincing and significant level of effectiveness of bracing. Treatment success was 72% after bracing and only 48% after observation. There was also a positive association between the hours a brace was worn and the rate of treatment success. This study clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of using a TLSO brace and also confirms that the longer you wear the brace, the more success we will have in preventing curve progression.
For more information on custom-made back braces in Phoenix, or to discuss a TLSO spinal brace, contact our clinic.
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WE DIAGNOSE THE ROOT
Chronic back pain can be debilitating and leave you feeling hopeless. When Craig wasn’t getting the care he felt he deserved, he reached out to Dr. Baig to get the help he needed.
Unfortunately, this is a common problem: People suffering from back pain see a doctor, get diagnosed with some type of “chronic” condition, obtain a prescription and perhaps go to a few physical therapy appointments. They feel a bit better for a time, but the root of the problem is never diagnosed or properly treated. This is how back pain can become chronic, and this is why people ultimately seek the help of Desert Spine and Scoliosis center, expert back surgeons in Phoenix.
Dr. Baig, one of the most respected back surgeons in Phoenix, helped Craig identify his problem by relying on his years of expertise as a spine specialist in Phoenix. With the proper treatment, Craig’s condition improved and he was able to get back into life without the terrible pain that had dragged him down for so long. This is what patients should reasonably expect from our team of Phoenix spine surgeons.
SUCCESS STORIES
For an active 39 year old who participates in Jiujitsu, having a spinal fusion would not have been the right thing for her. We were able to get her back on the mat after a successful disc replacement and she is back living her life
NO MORE BACK PAIN!
For an active young mom, having a spinal fusion was out of the question.
She was back in the gym THE SAME DAY after she had an Endoscopic Decompression. Dr. Baig and is living life
PAIN FREE!
This personal trainer got a cervical disc replacement.
She was able to avoid a fusion, keep her her range of motion, and get back
into the gym
PAIN FREE!
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
We wanted to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our patients who take the time to leave a review about their experience at our practice.
Your kind words and feedback are greatly appreciated by our entire team, and your review helps other patients make an informed decision about where to turn to for care.
Thanks again for sharing your experience with others. You are making a difference.
T.M. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig and his team are phenomenal. I had a compressed nerve due to a bulging disc and was able to be seen relatively quickly. Surgery was quick and flawless and I have no complaints at all. I truly appreciated how fast they worked to get me seen and out of all the pain I was in! Highly recommend them."
A.H. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig literally changed my life for the better. I had a severely pinched nerve in my neck and needed to get surgery. Immediately at my first consult I felt comfortable and in good hands. I even walked away with a smile on my face during that scary time.
Surgery day couldn’t have gone better. The team he had also had a great bedside manner and helped keep me calm.
After the surgery and in the recovery room, he came in and checked on me and made sure I was all good before releasing me."
S.D. ~ Actual Patient
"Dr Baig was going to be my second opinion for an upcoming scheduled spinal surgery. After my appointment, he will be my surgeon. He gave me a lot of information that was lacking from my other doctors. I felt very comfortable with Dr Baig and his entire office staff. Looking forward to living pain free after we strengthen my bones. It’s going to be a permanent fix and not a bandaid."
Consult Our Back Surgeons in Phoenix
Back pain can often be a result of an accident, injury, or congenital conditions such as scoliosis. Certain forms of back pain can be a result of the natural aging process, including conditions such as disc protrusion and spinal stenosis.
Today, advancements in imaging, and non surgical techniques have led to more treatment options than ever before, allowing us to return our patients the life they once knew…usually without the need for invasive spine surgery.
Typically, back surgeons in Phoenix offer one type of help, even though there are many others available. When you work with Dr. Baig at the Desert Spine and Scoliosis Center, you can rest assured that everything is on the table when it comes to potential treatments that are accepted by the medical world.
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As a top-rated spine specialist, Dr. Baig understands that this complicated part of the body can lead to many different problems, and each possibility will be considered before deciding on a treatment protocol.
Get answers, get help, get back to a better quality of life––schedule an appointment today.
Arizona Spinal Bracing Specialist
Phoenix Spine Surgeons
Spinal bracing is a safe and effective way to help manage certain spinal conditions. If clinically appropriate, your doctor can help you choose the right brace for your specific medical needs to aid recovery. To discuss spinal orthotics with our spine brace specialist based in Phoenix, contact our team today.
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Spinal Bracing for Scoliosis in Phoenix
If you are diagnosed with a spinal disorder or deformity, you may need external structural support to keep your back safe and allow your body to heal from an existing condition. The most common option is a spinal brace, which limits the movement around your spine. If your physician believes you need structural support around the back or neck, they may recommend spinal bracing.
The use of braces is widely accepted. They are safe, non-invasive, and effective tools in the treatment of spine disorders. Braces have actually been around for centuries. Corsets for the lower back were used as far back as 2000 B.C.! Bandage and splint braces were used in 500 A.D. in an effort to correct scoliosis.
There are more than 30 types of back supports available for spine disorders. Below, we will discuss several common types of spinal braces and why they are used.
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