Lumbar (Low Back) Bracing

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Some patients with low back pain (or lumbar back pain) are prescribed a brace to wear. Braces can be uncomfortable and inconvenient, but serve an important purpose. Lumbar braces support the low back and stabilize or immobilize the lower back region following injury or surgery.

About Lumbar Braces

Low back braces are external devices that support the spine’s muscular and bony structures. Lumbar braces are categorized as soft or rigid. Soft elastic type braces provide muscular support while allowing movement. Rigid braces are used to restrict movement.

Soft Lumbar Corset

A soft lumbar corset is primarily used to provide low back muscular support. A lumbar corset may be recommended to individuals who have extensive arthritis or mild lumbar instability.  Many times, additional muscular support provides low back pain relief. The corset may also act as a reminder to avoid excessive low back motion and may help encourage proper body mechanics, such as good posture.

Constant use of a soft lumbar corset may weaken the lumbar muscles.  Therefore, the doctor recommends wearing the corset in a task specific manner. When engaged in activities that may potentially place your back at risk, the lumbar corset should be worn. After the at-risk activity, the brace should be removed.

Use of such a brace should also be done in conjunction with a lumbar-strengthening exercise program. Ideally, the lumbar-strengthening exercise program increases muscle strength and eventually the brace is no longer needed.

The lumbar corset is useful after certain lumbar spine surgeries to provide additional low back support, and prevent muscles from rapidly fatiguing during recovery. The brace also offers that gentle reminder that activities and motion must be limited for healing to occur.

The purpose of a soft lumbar corset is not complete immobilization. Patients find the lumbar corset is helpful during the first six weeks after surgery and use it less and less thereafter. Immediately after surgery, most physicians recommend that patients wear a corset or brace whenever they are out of bed for more than 15-minutes. As the patient regains strength, the lumbar corset or brace is worn (and needed) less often.

Rigid Lumbar Braces

A rigid brace is used when, despite surgical correction (or in place of surgical correction), spinal stability has not been fully achieved. For example, some types of spinal fractures can be managed without surgery. Such fractures have their own inherent stability.  The brace provides additional immobilization, which should safely allow the fracture to heal with a minimal risk of further injury. Under these circumstances, this brace must be worn for approximately three months when the patient is out of bed.

A rigid brace may also be necessary for patients with an unstable spine. After undergoing complex spinal surgery with instrumentation (internal fixation) the spine needs external stabilization during healing. The surgeon is the best source of information as to bracing following spinal surgery.

Conclusion

Bracing is an important part of many treatment plans, whether non-operative or surgical. Wearing a lumbar brace may be task specific, occasional, or constant depending on the diagnosis and therapy goals. Many patients have derived considerable benefit from lumbar braces following injury or surgery to the lower back.