Lumbar Orthosis with Unilateral Hip Immobilization

Abstract

To determine the additional stabilizing effect of unilateral hip fixation on external lumbar supports, nine patients witha posterolateral lumbosacral fusion without internal fixation were examined by roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis. The roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis was performed with the patients in supine and croct positions 1 month after surgery, that is, before fusion consolidation. Each patient was examined without lumbar support and with a molded, rigid thoracolumbosacral orthosis with extension to one thigh, thus immobilizing one hip. The additional hip immobilization had no consistent or significant stabilizing effect on the sagittal, vertical, or transverse intervertebral translations in the lower lumbar spine. This study using roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis gave no support for including hip immobilization when using lumbar orthoses after spinal fusion in patients adequetely cooperating to minimize gross body motions.