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DISCLAIMER:
Whilst all care is taken to provide accurate information with respect to the item described, the Independent Living Centre (ILC) is not involved in product design or manufacture, and therefore not in a position to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Selection of equipment, which is both suitable and appropriate for individual needs remains the responsibility of the person(s) considering requisition, and no responsibility is taken by the ILC for any loss or injury caused through use of the equipment or alleged to have arisen through reliance upon information provided. As information is subject to change any enquiries should be directed to the manufacturer.
Item Details
A Buyers Guide - Postural Supports
ILC Reference NO 43:66:600
Item sourced from ILC ACT database
Short Description
In addition to the basic wheelchair seat, various postural supports
and special seating systems are available which add on to a wheelchair to provide extra safety, support, comfort and pressure distribution.
Price Guide
Refer to supplier details for pricing.
More Details
POSTURAL SUPPORTS
Any device that is prescribed to enhance or promote an improvement in posture. Postural supports are not to be used in place of "occupant safety restraints" such as seat belts when travelling in vehicles.
eg pelvic straps do not replace occupant occupant restraints, but are used in conjunction.
THE PELVIS
There are multiple techniques for securing the pelvis including pelvic straps, positioning bars.
Contoured seating eg anti-thrust cushions, pommels etc may assist in the function of the pelvic strap
A secure pelvis facilitates trunk control as the pelvis is the key to postural control
Pelvic Strap: A seat belt prescribed for the purpose of maintaining the pelvis in optimal alignment.
Pelvic Positioners: Padded pelvic bars prescribed for the purpose of maintaining the pelvis in optimal alignment. They serve the same purpose as a pelvic strap
A secure pelvis is a pre-requisite for adding trunk, shoulder or chest supports. A pelvis that is not secure can move and compromise the safety of client by placing harnesses near or over airways.
Trunk Supports: Postural supports placed along side the trunk to promote or maintain the trunk in an upright position. By improving trunk position upper body function can be increased. Securing the trunk anteriorly with bilateral curved supports may eliminate the need for additional trunk supports and chest harnesses. There are numerous options including swing away contoured, fixed laterals and lateral foam supports.
Chest Strap: Any strapping or harness that goes over the area of the chest to provide postural support
THE FEET If required feet may be secured onto the footplate by use of footcuffs, ankle huggers etc. This will assists to maintain lower limb and pelvic positioning and can reduce the forward movement of the body.
THE WHEELCHAIR FRAME
There are three main options:
Adjustable Reclining Backrest: this is where the angle of the backrest can be adjusted towards the horizontal and is seen in some special needs strollers, manual and power wheelchairs. The position of pelvic straps and trunk supports changes in relation to the body when the backrest position is changed, and may increase the risk of straps being in an unsafe position near or over airways.
Built in fixed tilt or rake: when the frame is built with a minimal degree of tilt. It is not adjustable
Tilt in space: where the seat to back angle remains constant and the frame tilts through various degrees.
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Head support may be required when tilt is introduced to a seating system, and consultation with the client's Speech Pathologist may be necessary where feeding and swallowing issues are present.
BACKRESTS
- Usually come as part of the wheelchair and maybe slung or solid/padded
- Some high-performance chairs for active users have very low backrests. For tall people, a high backrest maybe needed to provide extra back support. Alternatively a headrest extension can be added if head support is required. Consideration of head support should be given if user is going to travel in the chair as head support is always recommended.
BACK SUPPORTS - May be in the form of an insert that is used in conjunction with the existing backrest, or as a backrest that replaces the existing one. They aim to provide support, comfort and back pain relief and to help prevent skin breakdown, and postural deformities.
WHEELCHAIR CUSHIONS
- There are many different types of wheelchair cushions available. It is important that the one that is chosen, provides the correct postural support and pressure relief for the individual's needs. A cushion placed on an existing seat will add to the seat to floor height of the chair.
- They may be used in conjunction with a separate backrest insert as part of an overall seating system.
SOLID SEATING - Replaces regular slung seats to provide a stable base for pressure relief cushions.
SPECIAL SEATING SYSTEMS - Includes the entire system of seat, backrest and supports which inserts into a standard wheelchair or scooter. May be needed by some people that require postural support, comfort and pressure distribution. A wide range of systems are available including moulded plastic, matrix, bead and modular seating. All are customised and generally require an assessment by a skilled clinician, therapist or seating technician.
Supplier Information - click to supplier for contacts details
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