Bauerfeind SofTec Lumbo, Instructions Manual

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Dear Customer,

thank you for choosing a Bauerfeind product.

We work to improve the medical effectiveness of our products every day – 
because your health is very important to us. Please read through these

instructions for use 

carefully. If you have any questions, please contact 

your doctor or medical retailer.

Intended purpose 

SofTec Lumbo is a medical device. It is an orthosis for immobilizing the 
lumbar spine with mobilization function in 3 stages.

Stage 1 (Immobilization phase):

Securing the spine after surgery or at the start of non-surgical treatment 
by using a shell.

Stage 2 (Mobilization phase):

To allow for mobilization over the course of recovery, the shell is removed 
and replaced by CFRP rods (carbon fiber reinforced plastic rods) in the 
knitted fabric.

Stage 3 (Activity phase):

With increasing activity, the CFRP rods are replaced by corset stays, 
thereby reducing the external supportive effect.

SofTec Lumbo must be individually adapted to the patient by a 
trained orthopaedic technician in order to gain the maximum effect 
and optimal wear comfort from this orthosis

. If the product is not 

used properly any claim for warranty will expire.

Indications

• Spondylolysis / spondylolisthesis,  grades II – III 
• Extremely severe lumbosciatica with muscular deficiencies in cases of 

significant intervertebral disk protrusions/herniation

• Most severe (pseudo) radicular lumbar syndrome
• Degenerative facet syndrome
• Condition after herniation, e. g. post-operative care
• Condition after discectomy
• Condition after spondylodesis / kyphoplasty (one or more levels)
• Lumbar spinal canal stenosis
• Vertebral fractures (lumbar spine) with vertebral body damage
• Tumors (metastases)
• Severe  degeneration / muscular  insufficiency 

Risks of using this product

  Important information

• SofTec Lumbo is a prescribed product that should be worn under a 

physician´s guidance.  
SofTec Lumbo should only be worn in accordance with the instructions 
contained in these usage directions and for the listed areas of 
application.

• SofTec Lumbo is intended for single use by the patient.
• The plastic shell and rods of SofTec Lumbo may only be modified 

by trained specialists. Failure to comply with this requirement may 
adversely affect product performance, thereby cancelling any product 
liability.

• If the knitted sections of SofTec Lumbo are subsequently modified, the 

proper functioning of the support can no longer be guaranteed.

• Should you notice any unusual changes (e. g. increased symptoms), 

please contact your doctor without delay.

• Please consult your doctor before using SofTec Lumbo in combination 

with other products.

• Do not allow the product to come into contact with ointments, lotions or 

substances containing grease or acids.

• SofTec Lumbo can readily be disposed of with domestic refuse.
• Side effects, with the assumption of correct fit involving the body as a 

whole have not been reported to date. Any supports or orthoses applied 
externally to the body can, if tightened excessively, signs of localized 
pressure, rarely, constrict the underlying blood vessels or nerves.

Contains natural rubber latex (elastodiene), which can cause skin 
irritation in persons with an allergy. Take off the orthose if you 
notice any allergic reaction. 

Contraindications

Hypersensitive reactions harmful to health have not been reported to 
date. In the following conditions such supports or orthoses should only be 
fitted and worn after consultation with your doctor:
• Skin disorders / injuries to relevant parts of the body, particularly if 

inflammation is present. Likewise, any raised scars with swelling, 
redness and excessive heat build-up.

• Impaired sensation.
• Severe restriction in the performance of heart and lungs (risk of 

elevated blood pressure if the aid is worn during severe physical 
exertion).

Application instructions

Fitting and removing SofTec Lumbo

Despite its special design, SofTec Lumbo is always fitted and removed in 
the same way at all stages.

Fitting:

• After it has been individually adjusted by the orthopaedic technician, the 

shell must sit loosely on the iliac crests (Fig. 2). When fitting the orthosis 
without the shell, ensure that the support is correctly positioned. If 
necessary, practice correct fitting with the orthopaedic technician.

• Place the support around the trunk so that the reinforcements visible on 

the outer knitted section are positioned parallel to the spine (Fig. 3).

• Place your fingers in the specially provided loops on the two halves of 

the light grey fastener and pull evenly forward (Fig. 5).

• Press the left half of the fastener against your stomach and place the 

right half above it to secure the Velcro fastening. If the optional pressure 
pad for the abdominal wall is used, ensure that this is posi-tioned 
correctly (this pressure pad should be centrally positioned beneath the 
fastening).

• When securing the Velcro fastening, remove your fingers from the left 

loop first, followed by the right loop (Fig. 6).

• Take hold of the two LPT (

L

ow 

P

ower 

T

ension) straps in both hands 

and pull evenly forward (Fig. 7). Secure both LPT straps onto the large 
fastening  (Fig. 8).

  With the “long“ version, always fasten the lower straps first and then 

secure the upper straps on top.

• When the support is first fitted, the optimal, individual fit must be 

checked, and if necessary corrected, by a trained fitter. Practice fitting 
the support correctly.

Removal:

• Undo the Velcro fastenings of the LPT straps on the outer knitted section 

and pull back the straps to loosen the support and fasten the ends of the 
straps to the retracted sections.

• Open the large light grey fastener.
• Remove the support and reclose the light grey fastener.

Product care

  Never expose the orthosis to direct heat 

(e. g. heater, sunlight, etc.)!

• SofTec Lumbo can be washed separately by hand at 30 °C (86 °F) using 

a mild detergent. Ensure that the plastic shell is removed beforehand. 
Proceed as follows:

• Undo the Velcro fastenings of the two thin elastic straps. Pull the straps 

out of the holes and remove. 

• Undo the two Velcro fastenings between the outer and inner knitted 

sections located at the center of the back. 

• Remove the plastic shell from the support.
• The shell can easily be washed with a sponge, using a pH-neutral soap 

or shampoo. Do not dry using direct heat (dryer, heater). Either rub dry 
with a cloth or air dry.

• Removal of the CFR or corset rods is not necessary.
• If the rods are to be removed from the outer knitted section, turn back 

the fasteners at the top (red section) and push out the rods (Fig. 9).

• To avoid damage and to preserve their long-term adhesive strength, we 

recommend closing the Velcro fastenings before washing (including the 
small Velcro dots between the inner and outer knitted sections).

• After washing, perform the above sequence in reverse. When re-

inserting the CFR rods, check the markings for correct orientation 
(top / bottom and left / right). Also check the correct positioning of the 
knitted sections containing the shell. Fasten identically coloured Velcro 
dots to each other (the sewn-in labels are always at the top, the shell is 
marked towards the top).

This product has been examined by our own quality control system. 
However, should you have any complaint, please contact your retailer or 
our customer service department.