Thuasne Lombastab lumbar belt

@llannii I had not heard of that belt, have been considering trying a brace myself. So interested to hear more.
After looking it up briefly, my nurse brain thinks it unlikely that the brace contributed to cervical issues. Although if your brace includes a harness to shoulders, perhaps if not properly adjusted (? Tightened too much) it might be possible to worsen an already weakened alignment. For instance any past history of neck trauma, whiplash, even a fall that may have caused head to flip forward or backward might initiate an area of weakness. I believe that(neck trauma)is what started my own neck issues resulting in spinal cord compression and ultimately surgical intervention.
Best wishes for quick solution with relief!

@gaylemp, thanks. I am glad to hear a similar opinion as my doctor's.

No, it doesn't include a harness to shoulders.

The belt covers the area between your S1 and just under your ribcage in my case (5' 2"). To put it on, you use the velcro flap, and then pull the pull string on each side to tighten it. The part that goes on your back has stiff vertical pieces an inch or so apart from each other - I guess for support?

@gaylemp what surgery did you get for your spinal cord compression, if you had one already? And what was your experience with it and the recovery?

@llannii They did a corpectomy(removed disk/?vertebrae put in spacer and fused vertebrae c5-7 I believe, or C4-6. Recovery was 6-8 weeks, but able to drive within 4 weeks as I recall. I still have pain/tightness and sometimes what I call “zingers”. When a certain movement causes sudden sharp shooting pain, only lasts a few seconds thank God!
I’m told I need surgery in low back as well, similar issues with what I believe is a milder cord compression.

@gaylemp oh wow you described the other surgery I was told I need on my Cervical, after a whole-spine MRI. I believe it is C4-5. Was yours done from the front part of your neck?

My prior MRIs show problems with my Lumbar. I am getting a TLIF surgery for my L3 - L5 this coming Tuesday. I have constant dull soreness on my lower back. Things have gotten worse since two years ago, and again just since this past Feb (which I am really still convinced it was because of that lumbar belt!)

@llannii I’m so sorry for your difficult journey this far. Believing for most positive outcome following surgery!
My cervical surgery was done from front.

Short answer: a lumbar belt like the Thuasne Lombastab can definitely make you feel worse in some cases, but it’s very unlikely it caused new spine problems. For spondylolisthesis, these belts are meant to give short-term support and reduce motion. But some people react badly if:
-it’s too tight (can irritate nerves or affect circulation)
-posture/gait changes while wearing it
-muscles get “lazy” during use and feel worse afterward
That could explain the increased lumbar pain and toe tingling after taking it off.
The cervical symptoms (ring/pinky tingling, hand numbness) are almost certainly unrelated to the belt itself. That pattern usually points more toward nerve involvement in the neck or peripheral nerves, and your MRI showing C1–C4 issues suggests those were likely already there but just became noticeable around the same time.

Thanks, @masonsparks. Sounds reasonable to me. I suspect I had it on too tight.
@gaylemp your situation really sounds like mine, just that I am getting them addressed in the reversed order. Wish me luck. I am worried about the pain after the surgery.