Lower Back Orthosis

1 - 22 . (canceled)

23 . A lower back orthosis comprising:

a bandage sized and shaped to be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first end, a second end and a center; and

a support device connected to the bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected finger-shaped rods oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bandage.

24 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of finger-shaped rods decrease in length from the center of the bandage toward the first and second ends of the bandage.

25 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein at least one of the plurality of finger-shaped rods is removably interconnected.

26 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein a plurality of the finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second ends are of substantially equal length.

27 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of equal length finger-shaped rods positioned at the first and second ends are releasably connected to at least one finger-shaped rod positioned at the center of the bandage.

28 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein the center of the bandage includes at least one finger-shaped rod having a securing device for removably securing a finger-shaped stiffening rod thereto.

29 . The lower back orthosis of claim 28 , wherein a plurality of finger-shaped stiffening rods are secured to a corresponding plurality of finger-shaped rods, and wherein the finger-shaped rods are interconnected to form an stiffening part.

30 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein the finger-shaped rods are releasably secured on the bandage.

31 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein at least two finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a web spanning therebetween.

32 . The lower back orthosis of claim 23 , wherein the at least two finger-shaped rods are interconnected by a spring element spanning therebetween.

33 . The lower back orthosis of claim 32 wherein the distance between the finger-shaped rods are variable.

34 . A lower back orthosis comprising:

a bandage sized and shaped to be positioned on a lower back of a patient and including a first end, a second end and a center;

a support device connected to the bandage, which includes a plurality of interconnected finger-shaped rods oriented in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the patient's spine; and

an tightening strap positioned to apply a force to the support device in the direction of the patient's spine.

35 . The lower back orthosis of claim 34 wherein the tightening strap is secured to the finger-shaped rods by at least one guide.

36 . The lower back orthosis of claim 35 wherein a plurality of guides are intregrally secured to the finger-shaped rods.

37 . The lower back orthosis of claim 35 wherein the at least one guide includes at least two parallel wires upon which the tightening strap is positioned.

38 . The lower back orthosis of claim 34 wherein the tightening strap is releasably secured to the bandage.

39 . An orthosis adapted to be positioned around a lower back of a patient, the orthosis comprising:

a bandage having a first portion, a second portion and a center portion, wherein the center portion is positioned between the first and second portions and is wider than the first and second portions;

a plurality of elongate rods releasably secured to the bandage, each having a first portion, a second portion and a center portion, and wherein the center portion is wider than the first and second portions.

40 . The orthosis of claim 39 , wherein the plurality of elongate rods are interconnected by one or more web elements spanning therebetween.

41 . The orthosis of claim 40 , wherein the web elements include spring elements.

42 . The orthosis of claim 41 , wherein the spring elements are secured to the elongate rods such that the distance between the rods is variable along the spring elements.