Efficacy of a flexible orthotic device in patients with osteoporosis on pain and activity of daily living.
OBJECTIVE
To study the efficacy of a flexible orthotic device in patients with osteoporosis.


METHODS
Open observational study.


METHODS
Fifty patients with osteoporosis.


METHODS
An open observational study was performed on 50 patients with osteoporosis in order to investigate the efficacy of a new osteoporosis orthotic device, which is an elastic back support with paravertebral air chamber pads. The outcome parameters were pain, activities of daily living, individual compliance and comfort. The observation period was approximately 2.5 months, and the orthotic device was worn continuously during daytime.


RESULTS
There was a highly significant reduction in pain under exertion from mean 6.1 (SD 1.7) to 4.5 (SD 1.4) (p < 0.00001), pain when driving (from 5.2 (SD 2.4) to 3.8 (SD 1.9) (p < 0.00001)), and pain at rest from 4.1 (SD 2.4) to 3.1 (SD 1.9) (p < 0.0001). About 50% of the patients judged their ability to perform everyday activities as "much better"or "better". If physiotherapy was interrupted upon onset of orthosis treatment, the results were significantly worse than in patients with continued physiotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This orthotic device could be a useful addition to the medical care of patients with osteoporosis and a complement to drug treatment and physiotherapy with regular exercises, which should be continued.
Fink
Matthias
M
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hanover Medical School, Germany. fink.matthias@mh-hannover.de
Kalpakcioglu
Banu
B
Karst
Matthias
M
Bernateck
Michael
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome