Support for the spine

The incidence of vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis is increasing rapidly. The collapsed vertebral body is accompanied by significant pain for the patients. This also reduces the mobility and possible self-sufficiency of the patient. In an article titled "Effects of a spinal orthosis in osteoporosis” researchers Michael Pfeifer (MD), Bettina Begerow (PhD) and Helmut W. Minnie (MD) have written:

"One fourth of women over 50 years of age in the general population have one or more vertebral fractures. The ortho­tic treatment modality in the management of vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis remains subjective because no objective data from clinical trials are available. The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed spinal orthosis (brace) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

"We conducted a study that measured trunk muscle strength, angle of kyphosis, body height, body sway and variables of quality of life such as pain, well being and limitations of daily living.

"Wearing the orthosis for a six month period was associated with a 73 percent increase in back exterior strength, a 58 percent increase in abdominal flexor strength, an 11 percent decrease in angle of kyphosis, a 25 percent decrease in body sway, a seven percent increase in vital capacity, a 38 percent decrease in average pain, a 15 percent increase in well being and a 27 percent decrease in limitation of daily living. The overall tolerability of the orthosis was good, no side effects were reported and the dropout rate of three percent was rather low…Therefore the use of an orthosis may represent an efficacious nonphar­ma­cologic treatment option for spinal osteoporosis.”

The orthosis Spinomed is designed to meet the needs of patients suffering from spinal osteoporosis and vertebral body fractures. For detailed information about the product readers may contact the undersigned at Pushpanjali Sales Promotion, Gandhi House, 16, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, 5th floor, Calcutta 700013, tel: 91-33-22360367/68; fax: 91-33-22217335; e-mail: pushpanjali @vsnl.com.

RAJESH CHORARIA

Relationship Manager

Pushpanjali Sales Promotion