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Pneumatic LSO for Back Pain

The occurrence of back pain is relatively common throughout the developed world. Back pain can arise from injuries or physical degeneration as a person ages. Internal disc disruption (IDD), where tears inside the spinal discs occur, is usually related to lower back pain. Pain may also extend to the groin, buttocks, hips and thighs. Some people use a pneumatic lumbar-sacral orthosis (pneumatic LSO) to relieve pain and encourage healing.

  1. What Is Pneumatic LSO?

    • An orthosis immobilizes a patient at certain regions of the spine. In the case of an LSO, it takes place at the lumbar-sacral region, beginning below the shoulder blades and ending approximately above the buttock. This region encompasses the lumbar and sacral vertebrae.

      An orthosis can be prefabricated or custom-made and constructed from soft foam. Orthoses consist of anterior and posterior panels with overlapping edges that provide limited bending, flexing and extension, or a simple one-piece design.

    How a Pneumatic LSO Functions

    • A pneumatic orthosis uses pneumatic lifters to induce traction and relieve inter-vertebral disc pressure. It reduces the weight load on the lower spine while simultaneously stabilizing it while providing intra-abdominal pressure against spinal instability.

      Manual inflation of the orthosis controls the amount of support the orthosis provides. Every individual uses a different set of pressures. There is also a release valve to mitigate over-inflation. An orthosis can relieve up to 50 percent of an individual's weight. A person usually wears it two or three times daily for 30 to 60 minutes.

    Indications for Pneumatic LSO

    • A pneumatic orthosis is usually suggested when an individual is being treated for herniated discs or requires post-surgical lumbar stabilization. It can also be used to relieve pain from mechanical lower and mid-back injuries derived from either age or injuries related to physical activity.

      Individuals who suffer from scoliosis (a spinal deformity where the spine curves from side to side) or spondylosis (a degenerative osteoarthritic condition occurring between the centra of the vertebrae and/or the neural foraminae), arthritis, disc bulge or protrusions can also benefit from wearing a pneumatic LSO.

    Management of Back Pain

    • Aside from an orthosis, heat applied to the back can serve to increase blood circulation and speed up healing. Heat from hot water bottles or heating pads can be applied for up to 20 minutes, with up to an hour's interval between applications.

      Medication like aspirin, Tylenol and Advil can be taken for back pain, whether chronic or acute. These over-the-counter treatments confer either analgesic or analgesic-anti-inflammatory effects.

      Exercise is also suggested to improve strength and prevent further injury. Low impact exercises include water aerobics, cycling or walking.

    Other Conditions Associated With Back Pain

    • Aside from back pain resulting from injuries and degenerative conditions, the occurrence of back pain can be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. The use of a pneumatic LSO relieves the pain but may mask awareness of conditions like metastatic cancer of the spine or multiple myeloma. Other signs that back pain may indicate a more serious underlying condition are back pain occurring together with progressive leg weakness, bowel/bladder incontinence, fever or unexplained weight loss.

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