HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Peterson, M. J Articles by Adkins, H. V Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Peterson, M. J Articles by Adkins, H. V Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Measurement and Redistribution of Excessive Pressures During Wheelchair Sitting: A Clinical Report

Ms. Peterson is Instructor, Spinal Injury Service, Physical Therapy Department, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, 7601 E Imperial Hwy, Downey, CA 90242 (USA).
Ms. Adkins is Education Coordinator, Physical Therapy, Department, Rancho Los Amigos Hospital, 7601 E Imperial Hwy, Downey, CA 90242.

The ischial tuberosities, the sacral coccygeal area, and the greater and lesser trochanters and intertrochanteric crests receive excessive pressures when an individual is in the sitting position. Prolonged sitting by patients with insensitive skin and physical disability can cause pressure sores. Pressures below 20 to 30 mmHg are required to prevent capillary occlusion. Pressures are measured with a transducer system as the patient sits in his natural sitting posture in his wheelchair. A seat cushion is then "customized," which will redistribute excessive pressures. The most common cushion used is made of 3-in or 4-in high-density polyurethane foam. This material is easily modified when making ischial tuberosity cutouts and constructing a preischial bar. Because there is no single safe sitting pressure, each patient must be provided with a cushion support system that best reduces his excessive pressures. Although a properly fitted cushion can redistribute pressure, it can never substitute for relief of weight-bearing areas routinely carried out several times each hour.

Key Words: Pressure sores • Sitting posture • Wheelchair cushions

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?