Bracing for lower back pain in ED

A physiotherapy research project in the Emergency Department (ED) of Armadale Health Service (AHS) is looking into one of the world’s most comment ailments – lower back pain.

The study is investigating the use of lumbar braces as an aid in recovery and to reduce pain levels.

AHS Senior Physiotherapist Ryan Smith aims to recruit 152 patients through the ED by the end of 2025, before publishing the results next year.

He is evaluating whether lumbar bracing plus routine care is more effective than routine care alone in managing acute lower back pain in adults presenting to ED by measuring their pain and function across a 90-day period.

“Wearing a lumbar brace may provide reassurance, allows the patient to stay active and can offer an earlier return to daily activities,” Ryan said.

About 80 special braces have been imported from the US for the project.

The study, in conjunction with Curtin University and Associate Professor Dale Edgar, started in March 2024, with the enrolment of 104 patients so far.

Ryan said lower back pain was one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and last year surpassed cancer to become the second highest health cost burden in Australia.

Patients routinely present to the ED with non-specific and uncontrolled pain and anxiety, with expectations of having X-rays and strong painkillers.       

In Australia, over a two-year period, one quarter of ED patients with lower back pain received imaging, while 69.6 per cent were prescribed opioids.

“Long-term, it’s worth considering whether we can reduce the reliance on imaging and opioid use by offering some of these patients physiotherapy and bracing,” Ryan said.