Orthoses fo Management of Spinal Dysfunction

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

Spinal orthoses are an external device applied to the body to restrict motion in a particular body segment or spinal region. They are used to treat different types of spinal disorders ranging from low back pain to complex spine trauma and deformity.

Spinal dsysfunctions comprises of a wide array of pathological processes, but symptoms and disability generally are consequences of impingement of the neural elements and/or instability of spinal segments.

Spinal orthoses are applied because of the following reasons: congenital disorders, trauma, various disease conditions such as ligamentous, osseous or musculotendinous diseases, and in pain management. Inaddition, in choosing spinal orthoses for management of spinal dysfunction, the clinician's priority should be to determine which spinal motion to control.

Types of Orthoses[edit | edit source]

The main purpose of using spinal orthsoses in the management of spinal dysfunctions are:

  • To reduce the loading of the spine e.g in the management of unstable fracture.
  • For support and to promote healing e.g post surgical management or osteoporosis.
  • To restrict the motion at the low back region.
  • To increase abdominal support.
  • To correct existing spinal deformity such as scoliosis.
  • For encourage the patient to move cautiously.


The spinal orthoses accomplish their aim through one or more of the following biomechanical principles:

  • Three-point pressure control.
  • Indirect transfer of load by increasing intra-abdominal pressure.
  • Correction of spinal alignment.
  • Sensory feedback.


The American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons standardized the nomeclature used for describing orhoses in spine management in 1973 and divided them broadly into five categories:

  • Cervical
  • Cervical thoracic
  • Thoracolumbosacral
  • Lumbosacral
  • Sacroiliac


Orthosis may also be classified by their rigidity e.g. rigid, semi rigid,or flexible or by a combination of their materials and whether they are prefabricated or custom fit.

Measurement [edit | edit source]

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Fitting[edit | edit source]

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Troubleshooting [edit | edit source]

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References [edit | edit source]

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