Reply from our Silentnight Expert:
Orthopaedic (or orthopedic) describes the branch of surgery concerned with disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The term Ortho (or sometimes Orthopaedic/orthopedic) is used widely in the bed industry to describe beds that are particularly firm, but does not provide any guarantee that the bed or mattress will be helpful for those with back conditions.
We strongly recommend that your son tries out a selection of beds in store at your local stockist. You should be looking for beds with good support, such as Silentnight's Miracoil spring system or good quality pocket springs. We would suggest that you start by trying some of the following beds:
Lucio - with pressure relieving memory foam
Puccini - tufted for a firm, supportive feel
Carmen - with the Miracoil spring system and a layer of mini pocket springs
These beds are all from The Classics - available in your local independent retailer