Any back brace recommendations?

[Buviag]

Hello all,

I've got a recurrent problem with disc prolapse in L5/S1 that seems to get worse every time and immobilise me for longer and longer. I'm just on the tail end of 3 months of being broken - in bed for at least a month and then increasingly steady hobbling after that, either in pain or whacked out on opioids... you know, the usual!

I haven't yet had a discectomy (I'm now on the list for one, but I doubt it will happen - that's a whole other story!). The NHS GP -> MRI -> Neurosurgery trail has so far both times taken too long so by the time I get the opportunity it's of limited use.

I also have the two discs above the problem one bulging pretty badly. I've finally got my head around the fact that surgery or not, there probably isn't going to be a "fix" as such, I need to learn to manage my back better going forward.

So... once I'm a bit more upright and able, working on core strength (swimming, maybe pilates) and being generally more careful with my back. I also thought that one of these back brace belts might be a good idea.

Unfortunately (or fortunately?) there seem to be loads of different types. Large, small, with shoulder straps, without, magnetic (what voodoo is this?!) etc etc.

So... has anyone tried these and benefitted from them? Any tips or recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[Clairelu]

Also - unrelated, but I didn't want to start a whole new thread for a newbie question...!

What's the difference between MISS and Microdiscectomy? They sound rather similar to me.

 

[njhrmovb]

Read my posts... and SPINELF's. Or just search the board.

Kind regards

 

[broken angel]

Hi and welcome, love the name, it's so good for what we are all suffering lol.

As Keano says use the search button or just read the threads, there is a massive amount of information from personal experiences and reasearch, but bascially MISS is Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery so that should say it all? Micro just uses a microscope but can be as big as 12 inch cut in some cases!

 

[Andrea E]

I think that covers at least half the threads on here...!

Anyway thanks for the responses. I know what MISS stands for and understand more or less how it works. However, that's pretty much what I've had microdiscectomy described as by my consultant too - at least in my specific case. Very confusing.

I'd still love to hear of any experiences with back braces / support bands / whatever you call them as there seem to be a lot of options.

 

[Kanchan]

The main difference with MISS is that the incision is made at an angle about 2-3 inches away from the spine and then the operation is carried out by a keyhole type incision of under 1cm! Because the incision is to the side the tools go under the lamina and inbetween the vertebrae so there is no need to cut and drill bone as in a microdiscetomy that goes in through the top and cuts a hole in the lamina etc.

Watch it on utube, it is a massive difference, oh and MISS is carried out with the patient awake! Sedated and with heavy painkillers but awake, no need for a general, this way the surgeon can test the reflexes and ensure the pain has gone and the right area is targetted, the patient walks in and then walks out of the op...

 

[Ems N]

Hiya spinalcrap.

I have used neck braces, 2, a hard one and a soft one.

The hard one was used for stretching my 'C' spine levels, in particular, C5/6/7/8 when I suffered from severe neck, shoulder, arm, hand and head pains. I have disc degeneration and nerve compression at these levels, the stretching action created when my head is suppored by the head brace, decompresses them. This allows the surounding muscles to relax, this is followed by a reduction in spasms, swelling and ultimately pains!!

The soft one is mainly used for travelling. It allows me to turn my head more than the hard one and to look around at the sites more easily. It also does not 'cut into' my shoulder when used over long periods like the hard one does. It prevents my 'head dropping' and 'neck aching' during coach trips and so on.

Best wishes


SPINELF

 

[Charlie A]

I would like to add to my last post that:

I would stongly reccomend, that the use of 'any' spinal braces be for short periods only! This is because, prolonged use will create muscle weakness and wastage in the main muscle groups. This could well compromise the benefitial effects any rehabilitation at a later date.

Best wishes

SPINELF