Evaluation of a lumbosacral orthosis in flexion and extension movements of lumbar spine using Cobb method

Lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) is a type of spinal orthosis that has been recommended for three basic purposes; abdominal support, pain management, and motion or positional control [1]. Even though the scientific evidence of its clinical effectiveness is controversial, the use of LSO increases due to a high satisfaction rate among patients with low back pain [2]. By implementation of radiographic technique, objectives of this study are to evaluate the changes of lumbar lordosis in flexion and extension of trunk movements with and without wearing the LSO measured by Cobb technique and to correlate the value of lordotic angles in particular posture. Ten healthy men without any history of low back pain participated and a semi-rigid LSO was utilized. Lateral radiographs of spine images during neutral, flexion and extension postures were captured, with and without orthosis. The lumbar lordosis angle was determined using four lines Cobb technique on each of printed lateral radiographic images. Statistical analysis was completed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Mean of lumbar lordosis for maximum trunk flexion with and without orthosis is 12.2° and 16.4° respectively. Lordotic angles for extension are higher than flexion which is 51.7° for maximum trunk extension without orthosis and 54.6° for maximum trunk extension with orthosis. Present results indicate that the lumbar lordosis increased when the lumbosacral orthosis was used in both flexion and extension movements.