Lumbar Sacral Orthosis
What You Should Understand About a Lumbar Sacral Orthosis
Following a back injury, surgery or the onset of chronic pain from another cause, your doctor or orthopaedist may suggest that you wear a lumbar sacral orthosis (LSO) — also known as a lower back brace. Ranging from soft to rigid, these devices can offer a great deal of utility to those coping with persistent discomfort. At Dynamic Prosthetics & Orthotics, we’re ready to help you find a comfortable setup that can pave the way to allowing you to resume daily activities.
Problems That a Lumbar Sacral Orthosis Can Help to Address
Why might your doctor suggest one of these devices? An LSO can help with several concerns:
- Chronic lower back pain is one of the most common reasons a patient may receive a recommendation for an LSO from their SunshineCoast doctor. This may be due to a previous injury earlier in life, a failed surgery or another medical condition. By immobilising the lower spine and preventing unnecessary movement, LSOs may help to reduce irritation in the affected areas.
- Providing support in the immediate time following surgery. Back operations are delicate procedures, and the body requires specific conditions to promote healing. If you have the ability to move, bend and twist the vertebrae in your lumbar spine, it increases the likelihood that you will aggravate the surgery site, complicating recovery.
- Some types of orthotic devices can help to promote better posture and act as a preventative device to help delay the progression of existing concerns. Softer LSO devices allow users to retain some range of motion while providing them with a gentle reminder of the proper ways to move.
If you have questions about your prescription, always ask your doctor.
Tips About Using Your Lumbar Sacral Orthosis in the Sunshine Coast
What should you know about your LSO after you go home?
- Take care to follow the schedule of wear prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, you may need to wear your LSO as often as possible to help prevent irritating an injury or increasing the risk of causing additional harm. At other times, you may only need to wear your LSO when sitting or standing for long periods of time. Always listen to your doctor’s advice in this regard.
- When not in use, take care to store your LSO properly. Do not leave your orthosis outside — you may enjoy the Sunshine Coast weather, but it can lead to the degradation of your device’s quality. Store your orthotic indoors, preferably in an easily accessible space such as your bedroom.
- Some discomfort is normal. While you should feel comfortable during normal wear, your LSO will make certain movements difficult or unpleasant — this is a sign that you should not move in that manner. Remember, the brace is there to minimise movement during healing or to help contribute to reducing pain. It is meant to stop you from making certain moves.
About Dynamic Prosthetics & Orthotics
Founded with the desire to provide better access to high-quality orthotics and prosthetic devices for people of all ages, our team exhibits a clear passion for better patient outcomes. With more than six decades of combined experience in orthotics and their fabrication, you’ll be in good hands here. Contact us to arrange for a consultation.
