Postoperative Bracing Patterns After Lumbar Surgery

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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A variety of postoperative bracing are routinely applied after spinal procedures but there are limited data regarding their efficacy, especially with the increasing use of internal fixation.Currently, no data are available regarding the use of postoperative braces in Belgium. Bracing is sometimes considered after lumbar surgery for degenerative conditions. All neurosurgeons and orthopedical surgeons in Belgium will be questioned to assess the patterns of postoperative bracing use after lumbar surgery.

Detailed Description
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Subjects: all neurosurgeons and orthopedical surgeons in Belgium Outcomes: The content of the questionnaire is based on a previously conducted study in the USA, cfr. Bible, J. E., Biswas, D., Whang, P. G., Simpson, A. K., Rechtine, G. R., Grauer, J. N. (2009). Postoperative bracing after spine surgery for degenerative conditions: a questionnaire study. The Spine Journal, 9(4), p. 309-316. Permission to use this questionnaire was received from the corresponding author. More specifically, a single-page questionnaire will be distributed to all spinal surgeons affiliated to the Spine Society Belgium. The questionnaire will focus on whether surgeons typically immobilize patients after specific spinal procedures, the type of orthosis used, the duration of treatment, and the rationale for bracing. Data analysis: Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods will be used. The study Frequencies and percentages for categorical variables will be calculated. Chi-square analysis will be used. Significance level will be set at 0.05.

Official Title
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Postoperative Bracing Patterns After Lumbar Surgery for Degenerative Conditions in Belgium

Conditions
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Lumbar Spine Degeneration, Arthrosis; Spine, Surgery

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: questionnaire


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Orthopaedic surgeon or neurosurgeon in Belgium Exclusion Criteria: N/A
Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Cohort: Belgian orthopaedic surgeons & neurosurgeon<br> | Behavioral: questionnaire<br>* questionnaire to assess the patterns of postoperative bracing use by spinal surgeons in Belgium<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whether or not surgeons typically immobilize patients after specific spinal surgical procedures | yes/no | 2 months | 
| Duration to prescribe a spinal orthosis after specific spinal surgical procedures | < 3 weeks, 3-8 weeks, 2-4 months, or > 4 months | 2 months | 
| Rationale to prescribe a spinal orthosis after specific spinal surgical procedures | to increase fusion rate, to improve pain, and/or to slow down the patient | 2 months | 
| Type of spinal orthosis prescribed after specific spinal surgical procedures | lumbar corset, off the shelf lumbosacral orthosis, and/or costum molded lumbosacral orthosis | 2 months |