spinomed brace for posture

[mollysuki]

Has anyone used a spinomed brace for posture?

[rwlmartin1]

(Marlene here) Best to try to avoid using back braces if possible. The muscles tend to atrophy and you become dependent on the brace... almost like an addiction and they say it's very hard to let go. MUCH better to do exercises or even Pilates is said to be really good for posture. I had a bilateral knee replacement at the end of January because of knock-knees and bone-on-bone, so I'm a self-styled expert in the matter of recovery and relearning to walk! (I'm walking better than I have ever walked for my whole life... I'm 79). The operation and recovery have been spectacular but i have to deal with my posture which must align itself to my new state-of-being.

[mollysuki in reply to rwlmartin1]

This is the posture ‘brace’ that I’ve been looking at. I do two seated exercise sessions a week which keeps everything moving. I would only be using when out walking.

It reminds me of the corsets my mum and granny wore. I’m still researching it.

[ABwn in reply to mollysuki]

😂 My mum used to wear them. Can remember having to fasten it up the back for her. Usually strapless, but they stopped below the hips.

[tangocharlie in reply to mollysuki]

No they are nothing like that! They are hi-tech, my family say I look a bit like RObocop. Youhave to be properly fitted for one

mediuk.co.uk/shop/spinomed-...

[mollysuki in reply to tangocharlie]

This posture active brace is made by the same company

[tangocharlie in reply to mollysuki]

Oh right thanks I'll go and have a good look at the website. I was just given this one by the Rehab team, I'd never heard of them before. I'm shocked how expensive they are and glad I got it on the NHS

[Meuslialways]

I havent used a spinal brace at present. However as my whole spine is crumbling I am having major surgery in New Year (which I wont go into!) Then will be in a spinal and neck brace for 6 months! Am I looking forward to it. ..NO, but if it keeps me walking for another X amount of years I will accept it.

[Lilbil]

Hi mollysuki I have worn a Spinomed active brace for the past 2 years. My consultant prescribed it for me to stop my kyphosis getting worse and to help with my back pain. I still do Pilates and go walking. These braces are made to measure, the appliance department at my local hospital measured me and ordered it, they are made in Germany and are free on prescription. I find it very useful and am able to do more now. Hope this is useful

[tangocharlie]

Yes I've just been fitted with one, a Spinomed. My specialist spinal physiotherapist referred me for it via Rehab at teh hospital. I'm slowly buidling up on using it, started with just a a few minutes a day. It is certainly helping me to walk again, until now I've been reliant on using a rollator/walker and it is a great feeling being able to go for walks downthe street again. The trouble is that because of spinal fractures my ligaments muscles etc are all squished and in the wrong place so initially there is a bit of pain to get things straightened out again hence building up slowly

[tangocharlie]

Here's a picture of me in mine, posted on another forum

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Posy-White]

Hello mollysuki

The physio throught a brace would help me , a year after 8 spinal fractures. The first one was a Spinomed, I used this for 9 months and at the hospital review it was felt I would benefit from a more supportive brace, made to measure. One for 'land' and one for water use so I could start hyrotherapy. I asked all the questions about becoming dependent on the brace muscles getting eazy and but as pointed out look what I can do with the brace and without, in my case it was clear with the brace I can lead a more 'normal ' life I can keep going for longer etc. I also have daily, and I do do them daily, exercises some with the brace on and some without.

I do remember the physio suggested I tried a supportive belt first to see if that helped - I bought this from the internet and because I felt I could do more wearing that, he suggested to try the brace route.

Guess the best thing is to get advice by a referral from your GP to physio or the orthotics team at your local / nearest large hospital.

Good luck

Posy White

[Mongoose59]

Hi Mollysuki

Out of interest I had a look at their web site and this back brace is quite elaborate hence the price. Not a £20 elastic band sold by certain place claiming it will solve all your problems and make you rich .😀

This device looks far better and isn’t cheap. I have had a look at a National Library of Medicine, paper ref. PMC9811681. Title: Effects of the “Spinomed active” orthosis on chronic back pain in kyphotic women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures three months and older: A randomized controlled study.

I guess this is the one you have.

This is the summary of the paper:

“In summary, the present study provided further evidence for the favorable effect of active spinal orthoses on chronic back pain (-intensity), back-pain related disability, hyperkyphosis, trunk strength and related outcomes in older women with vertebral fractures and chronic back pain. Based on our results, we suggest expanding the recommendation for an application of the “Spinomed active” orthosis to kyphotic women with osteoporotic vertebral fractures and chronic back pain independently of the age of the fracture.”

[mollysuki in reply to Mongoose59]

That’s very interesting and I will look further into what you have posted. I did contact the company, their reply as follows

Good afternoon,

Unfortunately we are unable to sell the Spinomed/Spinomed active direct to private patients as it needs to be clinically advised and fitted by a clinician .

We would advise on asking your GP if it would be suitable for your condition if they yes then ask if you can be referred to your local hospital.

If you wanted to try the private route then we can check with our representatives if they know of any private clinicians in your area that would be willing to treat you, we would just need your postcode for this.

Kind regards

I believe physiotherapists, in my area, do not advise braces. I do feel that the Spinomed Active is more of a benefit to people like myself who have kyphosis and would help to support my back and aid my posture. By the end of the day I sometimes feel that my back will snap in two as I am in so much pain.

Reading the reply from MediUK , because of the current guidelines for physiotherapists that I would not have any luck in being referred for this back support. I could understand it if I didn’t do any exercises but I attend two seated exercise classes a week.

I will forward to the physiotherapist their reply but I’m not holding my breath that I’ll be successful in being referred by him. I’m not sure if seeing a private physiotherapist that the company can recommend would be a good idea as A) it could well be expensive and not within my means and B) they wouldn’t know my history with regards the spinal fractures, kyphosis due to loss of height all down to having osteoporosis.

Thank you for replying I found it an interesting post and will follow up. I might also try finding out what the current thinking is from the body of Physiotherapists.

Molly

[Mongoose59 in reply to mollysuki]

I have similar issue that sometimes by the end of the day I just feel i need a bit of back support. I have a bit of Kyphosis due to wedging in the vertebrae. I have found that a back brace helps a lot if I need to be doing a lot of DIY or gardening. Also if I am out for a couple of hours walking then sometimes my back kicks off so i use the back brace only under those conditions but I think the rheumatologist would still say no.

All the best and I would be interested if you have success.

[tangocharlie in reply to mollysuki]

My NHS physootherapist thought a back brace might help and referred me to the rehab/orthotics section at the hospital for a fitting. I transferred to my current physiotherapist who is a specialist in spinal fractures as the general physios I saw before were clueless and missed my fractures. If you are under rheumatology ask your consultant to refer you to a specialist physio or orthotics

[tangocharlie in reply to Mongoose59]

Really useful info, thank you. I'm not sure the brace I've been given is quite right for my particular needs so I'm going back to rehab for a review to look at other options or adjustments.