Lumbar Brace for Lumbar Spondylosis

(BRACE Pilot Trial)

Overseen By Amanda Martyniuk, MSc

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation

Disqualifiers: Previous lumbar surgery, Spine cancer, Osteoporosis, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 3 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 months

50 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether wearing a lumbar brace after lower back surgery aids recovery from degenerative spondylosis, a condition where the spine deteriorates over time. Researchers aim to determine if a brace improves pain relief and healing compared to not using one. Participants will either wear a brace for three months or not wear one, with progress measured through scans and patient feedback. Ideal candidates have undergone a specific type of back surgery (single-level lumbar fusion) and do not have conditions like previous lumbar surgery or osteoporosis.

As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to valuable research that could enhance recovery strategies for future patients.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that the lumbar brace is safe for post-operative use?

Research has shown that wearing a back brace after lower back surgery does not significantly impact healing or recovery compared to not wearing one. In other words, using a brace or not seems to have little effect on recovery.

Short-term studies suggest that avoiding a brace does not lead to additional problems, making it unlikely to cause harm. Thus, wearing a back brace is generally safe, and not wearing one does not increase risks.

Overall, a back brace is a well-tolerated option for those recovering from surgery for lumbar spondylosis, a type of spine wear and tear. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using a lumbar brace for lumbar spondylosis because it offers a non-invasive option that could provide stability and pain relief during recovery, unlike traditional treatments that often involve medication or surgery. Lumbar braces are designed to support the spine, potentially reducing strain and promoting healing post-operation. This method could be particularly appealing for patients seeking alternatives to drug-based therapies, as it minimizes reliance on pain medications and their associated side effects.

What evidence suggests that a lumbar brace is effective for lumbar spondylosis?

This trial will compare the use of a lumbar brace with no brace following lower back surgery. Research has shown that wearing a back brace after such surgery doesn't significantly impact recovery. A meta-analysis, which combines results from multiple studies, found that wearing a brace didn't notably aid healing or pain relief compared to not wearing one. Other studies have reported similar findings, suggesting that not using a brace might not lead to worse outcomes. Therefore, the decision to use a brace could rely more on personal preference or a doctor's advice, as strong evidence of a clear benefit is lacking. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Aleksa Cenic, MSc, MD, FRCSC

Principal Investigator

Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with a life expectancy over 2 years who are undergoing single-level lumbar fusion surgery between the L2-L5 vertebrae due to non-traumatic spondylosis. It's not suitable for those with previous lumbar surgeries, spine tumors/cancer, osteoporosis, or high-grade spondylolisthesis.

Inclusion Criteria

Life expectancy greater than 2 years

I had a specific spine surgery involving screws and rods between L2 and L5.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a severe (grade 3 or 4) spinal condition.

I have had surgery on my lower back.

I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo single-level lumbar fusion surgery with or without a lumbar brace prescribed for 3 months post-operation

3 months

Regular follow-up visits as per surgical protocol

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for functional status, pain status, and bone fusion through CT scans and disability index assessments

12 months

Visits at 3, 6, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Lumbar brace

Trial Overview

The study is testing whether wearing a lumbar brace after single-level lumbar fusion surgery affects bone healing and recovery. Patients will be monitored through CT scans one year post-surgery and their pain and functional scores will be compared.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Brace Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Lumbar brace wear prescribed for 3 months post-operation

Group II: No brace Active Control 1 Intervention

No lumbar brace prescribed

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation

Lead Sponsor

Trials

380

Recruited

345,000+

McMaster University

Collaborator

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

DJO Incorporated

Industry Sponsor

Trials

16

Recruited

1,300+

Stryker Canada LP

Industry Sponsor

Trials

4

Recruited

180+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A review of 37 active and prospective clinical trials on lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) indicates a significant trend towards using novel technologies, with nearly half of the trials (48.6%) focusing on innovative treatment methods such as 3D-printed titanium cages and interbody implants.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are widely utilized in these trials, being included in 91.9% of studies, highlighting the importance of assessing patient experiences and outcomes in the management of LS.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Emerging innovations for lumbar spondylolisthesis management: a systematic review of active and prospective clinical trials. Harrison, DJ., Bhandarkar, AR., Durrani, S., et al.[2022]

In a study of 230 patients with ankylosing spondylitis who underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for thoracolumbar kyphosis, 33.5% experienced surgery-related complications, with 24.3% due to surgical/technical failures and 9.1% due to mechanical failures.

Despite the high complication rate, PSO resulted in significant improvement in the sagittal vertical axis, indicating that while effective for correcting kyphosis, careful monitoring and radiographic assessment are crucial to minimize risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Radiographic findings for surgery-related complications after pedicle subtraction osteotomy for thoracolumbar kyphosis in 230 patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Lee, KH., Kim, KT., Kim, YC., et al.[2020]

The custom-made hard lumbar-sacral orthosis (HO) was found to provide the greatest restriction of motion in the lumbar spine, reducing rotation and side bending by 58.3% and 63.6% compared to no orthosis, making it potentially the most effective option for conservative treatment of lumbar spondylolysis.

Among the soft lumbar-sacral orthoses, the Damen type elasticity corset (DC) was unique in providing significant restriction in flexion compared to no orthosis, indicating that different designs can offer varying levels of support for specific movements.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What Type of Orthosis is Optimal for Conservative Treatment of Lumbar Spondylolysis?: A Biomechanical Analysis. Fujimoto, Y., Sakai, T., Sairyo, K.[2022]

Postoperative bracing after surgical stabilization of thoracolumbar fractures is commonly used, with a median wear time of 13.3 weeks, but shows no significant benefits in pain relief, return to work, or functional improvement compared to not using a brace.

While bracing is associated with a lower rate of pseudoarthrosis (2.4% vs. 6.0%), it also has a higher overall complication rate (16.3% vs. 11.9%) and a greater loss of surgical correction, suggesting that the routine use of braces may need further evaluation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bracing After Surgical Stabilization of Thoracolumbar Fractures: A Systematic Review of Evidence, Indications, and Practices. Skoch, J., Zoccali, C., Zaninovich, O., et al.[2018]

In a study of 466 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the reoperation rates after spinal deformity surgery varied by technique, ranging from 4.5% for open anterior spinal fusion to 8.8% for posterior spinal fusion with hooks, indicating that while reoperations are necessary, they occur at relatively low rates.

The study identified common serious radiographic adverse events, such as rod breakage and proximal screw pullout, but found no significant differences in the incidence of these events across different surgical techniques, suggesting that all methods have similar safety profiles.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Radiographic classification of complications of instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Flynn, JM., Betz, RR., O'Brien, MF., et al.[2021]

The mortality rate following spinal surgery for degenerative lumbar disease is very low at 0.20%, indicating a high level of safety for these procedures.

Complication rates for different conditions were found to be 7.6% for lumbar canal stenosis, 8.5% for degenerative spondylolisthesis, and 3.5% for lumbar disc herniation, with reoperation rates of 8.1%, 8.0%, and 6.2% respectively, providing important information for patient counseling regarding surgical risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Systematic review of complications for proper informed consent(12)decompression or fixation surgery of the lumbar spine]. Takahashi, T., Hanakita, J., Watanabe, M., et al.[2018]

A new variable lumbar orthosis has been developed that allows patients to adjust abdominal and lumbar support according to their changing needs, which is not available in current commercial options.

This orthosis has shown favorable results in a clinical setting for patients with low back pain, providing a tailored approach to support and immobilization based on the severity of their condition.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The variable lumbar orthosis: fabrication and guidelines for use. Basile, VJ., Goldstein, DF.[2008]

In a survey of 105 spinal surgeons in Belgium, 38% reported prescribing postoperative lumbar bracing, particularly after fusion surgeries (52% compared to 21% for non-fusion procedures), despite evidence suggesting no significant benefits in pain relief or fusion rates.

Surgeons primarily prescribed braces for pain alleviation (67%) and to improve fusion rates (42%), even though existing scientific literature does not support these beliefs, indicating a gap between practice and evidence-based guidelines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Postoperative bracing after lumbar surgery: a survey amongst spinal surgeons in Belgium. Bogaert, L., Van Wambeke, P., Thys, T., et al.[2020]

Bracing significantly reduces the range of motion (ROM) in both the thoracic and lumbar spine during various activities, which may help alleviate stress on the vertebral pars interarticularis in adolescents with spondylolysis.

The study, involving five patients with an average age of 14.4 years, suggests that using a lumbar corset brace can relieve symptoms of spondylogenic back pain, potentially aiding athletes in returning to sports safely.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of corset bracing on 3D spine kinematics during ADL in children with Spondylolysis. Hays, C., Fehr, S., Liu, XC., et al.[2021]

For severe spinal instability, a Hohmann overbridging brace is essential for treatment, highlighting its importance in providing stability and support.

Milder cases of motion-segment instability can be effectively managed with elastic supports, while the Lindemann 2/3 semi-elastic brace is recommended for patients with osteoporosis or lumbosacral insufficiency, indicating tailored approaches based on the severity and specific conditions of low back pain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Bracing and supporting of the lumbar spine. Schroeder, S., Rössler, H., Ziehe, P., et al.[2017]

In a study of 19 patients undergoing lumbar spine stabilization with the Dynesys system, screw malposition was observed in a few cases, but it did not consistently lead to screw loosening or necessitate revision surgeries, indicating that some malpositions may not impact clinical outcomes significantly.

All patients showed improvement in pain and function scores after surgery, suggesting that the Dynesys system can be effective for lumbar stabilization, regardless of the navigation method used during implantation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Screw loosening after posterior dynamic stabilization--review of the literature. Kocak, T., Cakir, B., Reichel, H., et al.[2022]

The Boston brace was found to distract the lumbar spine and correct frontal deformity in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis, but it significantly reduced the natural curvature of the lumbar spine (lumbar lordosis).

Despite its effects on frontal alignment, the brace did not significantly improve the rotation of the apical vertebra or spinal detorsion, indicating that a more effective 3-D corrective orthosis is still needed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[3-D study of the immediate effect of the Boston brace on the scoliotic lumbar spine]. Labelle, H., Dansereau, J., Bellefleur, C., et al.[2009]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6315306/

Effectiveness of lumbar orthoses in low back pain

The frame braces include, among others, the flexion orthosis, which stabilizes the lumbar spine in a slight flexed position. It is especially prescribed for ...

2.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11616398/

Impact of Postoperative Bracing Following Spinal Fusion ...

The present meta-analysis revealed that the implementation of a brace following lumbar fusion surgery did not yield substantial differences.

3.

researchgate.net

researchgate.net/publication/378265545_Effectiveness_of_lumbar_braces_after_lumbar_surgery_a_systematic_review_and_meta-analysis

Effectiveness of lumbar braces after lumbar surgery

The present meta-analysis revealed that the implementation of a brace following lumbar fusion surgery did not yield substantial differences.

4.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2076-3425/14/11/1100

Efficacy of Back Bracing in Treating Chronic Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes for patients with CLBP who were managed with lumbar back bracing and physical therapy.

5.

ijssurgery.com

ijssurgery.com/content/15/5/915

Short-Term Impact of Bracing in Multi-Level Posterior ...

Short-term data suggest that removal of bracing from the postoperative regimen for PLF will not result in increased adverse outcomes. cost- ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11591956/

Efficacy of Back Bracing in Treating Chronic Low Back Pain

The purpose of this study was to examine the outcomes for patients with CLBP who were managed with lumbar back bracing and physical therapy.

7.

isass.org

isass.org/isass-policy-statement-on-lumbar-spinal-fusion-surgery/

ISASS Policy Statement – Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Spondylolisthesis. Lumbar fusion surgery is medically indicated for any type of spondylolisthesis when all of the following conditions are met.