Spinal Orthosis
A device applied externally to the trunk to support, immobilise, correct, or offload the spine.
Full Definition
A spinal orthosis encompasses a broad category of external devices used to manage conditions of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine, including scoliosis, fracture, post-surgical stabilisation, and degenerative disc disease. Subtypes include cervical orthoses, thoracolumbosacral orthoses (TLSOs), and lumbosacral orthoses (LSOs). Editors must verify that the correct anatomical region prefix is used in the device name and should not interchangeably use 'brace' and 'orthosis' without checking the publication's preferred register. In formal clinical and coding contexts, 'orthosis' is preferred over 'brace'.
Usage
Usage note: In formal clinical writing, 'orthosis' is preferred over 'brace'. When the device spans multiple spinal regions, use the full anatomical descriptor (e.g., thoracolumbosacral orthosis) rather than a shortened colloquial name.
In Context
- "Following the L2 compression fracture, the patient was fitted with a spinal orthosis for six weeks of immobilisation." — Orthopaedic clinic letter
- "The manuscript uses 'back brace' and 'spinal orthosis' interchangeably; editors should standardize to 'spinal orthosis' throughout." — Peer-review editorial comment