Orthopedic back braces have various types but the main use of this equipment is to support the back of the patient. They come in the form of belts, corsets, and jackets that are specially designed to provide stability to the spine or immobilize it. Orthopedic back braces are utilized to treat osteoporosis, infections, low back pain, trauma, neck conditions, and muscular weakness. They can also modify the spine into many positions like upright, neutral, flexed, lateral-flexed, and hyperextended.
The functions of orthopedic back braces are to allow healing to take place, decrease the chance of further injury, control the pain, prevent or correct a deformity, and make up for muscle weakness. Some forms of orthopedic back braces compress the abdomen, thus increasing the intra-abdominal pressure and providing some relief. It also insulates the skin which produces warmth that decrease the sensation of pain, making it very effective for people who have painful back problems.
A form of orthopedic back braces is the trochanter belt that is employed by people who have sacroiliac joint pain or pelvic fractures. It buckles in front and is worn very much like a regular belt using Velcro straps. What�s good about it is that it is unobtrusive, can be worn under your clothing, and you can even sleep with it if needed.
Another form of orthopedic back braces are medical corsets which can vary in length. The short ones are often used for low back pain while the longer ones are for problems in the mid to lower thoracic spine. Corsets generally extend over the buttocks, are kept in place with shoulder straps, and include metal stays that gives the needed rigidity and back support.
Lastly, there are hyperextension braces that are used for spinal fractures and also for people who are recuperating from a spinal surgery. These type of orthopedic back braces stop excessive bending by limiting the movement of the spine, therefore letting it heal and recover correctly.
Using orthopedic back braces has drawbacks as well. It can cause the loss of muscle function because of its immobilization. In addition, some patients become psychologically dependent on the back brace even when they are already healed and don�t need the braces anymore.
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