10 replies to this topic

[M@CHINE]

I went to the doctor and asked about why my body or spine had curved and he said i needed to start using the side supports on my chair. do any other quads or pp have this issue. i just hope it doesnt get 2 bad

[Soryfam]

My surgeon told me that I have developed some scoliosis in my back. He said it was from my walking as I walk with a cane with a very pronounced limp. Basically my bone are compensating for the way I walk. He said PT might help, but not to get to worried about it.

Sandy

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there,

I have Spina Bifida and have had 2 spinal fusions (1993&2007) and I'm now fused from T8-L5. I'm trying to avoid further fusion and have had a postural support put on my chair, which is basically a whole new back of my chair. It's brilliant! Gives me lots of support and helps me sit much straigter.

[Meadowlarkmark]

Yeah, I have had a scoliosis for decades--it does not seem to get worse but it does force my side up against theback rest of the wheelchair and sometimes it hits a nerve and is sensitive. I am too old for rods

[M@CHINE]

kool thx for the info guys, i'm only 2yrs post and was curious

[Interpol]

Avocado Baby, on Jan 15 2010, 07:28 PM, said:

Hi there,

I have Spina Bifida and have had 2 spinal fusions (1993&2007) and I'm now fused from T8-L5. I'm trying to avoid further fusion and have had a postural support put on my chair, which is basically a whole new back of my chair. It's brilliant! Gives me lots of support and helps me sit much straigter.

Can you tell me what this postural support is and where you got it from?
Thanks...

[Stickman]

the lower part of my spine curves to the right, and no one seems to know what to do about it.

[Edtezky]

I use the arm rest to lay my side on. Keeps me a little straighter

[Avocado Baby]

Interpol, on Jan 16 2010, 12:51 AM, said:

Avocado Baby, on Jan 15 2010, 07:28 PM, said:

Hi there,

I have Spina Bifida and have had 2 spinal fusions (1993&2007) and I'm now fused from T8-L5. I'm trying to avoid further fusion and have had a postural support put on my chair, which is basically a whole new back of my chair. It's brilliant! Gives me lots of support and helps me sit much straigter.

Can you tell me what this postural support is and where you got it from?
Thanks...

I had it made at my Orthopeadic hospital. It's made out of something that's like beanbag. They basically moulded it round my back to give me the support I needed and then sucked the air out of it to make it firm. It has a cover on it and is attached to a Jay back which sits on the back of my chair. They usually use them for people who have little to no independence and are unable to push themselves so they had to make it up a bit for me because I am quite independent.

I'll take some pictures for you and upload them.

[KeepTheFaith]

I curve to the right because of tone in my right oblique and other muscles in my back. It pulls my spine to the right creating a curve. A tone induced scoliosis, so to speak.
I have a weaker left side, so I can not counteract the tightness on the other side.

It is important to sit straight in your chair, so I have side panels on my chair to keep me straight. One high up on the right and one lower on the left. I also stretch the right side to decrease the tone and I do strengthening exercises to improve the weakness on the left. A few months ago I started putting the FES pads on my weaker left side while I am riding the FES bike. I also do electro-acupuncture. This has helped and it has gotten a lot better.

I was considering a new back for my chair that they mold to your body. Similar to what Avocado Baby was describing, but more like what they make for race car drivers.
However, I am taking steps and progressing in my therapy and I am not sure I want to put more money into my chair right now.

Hope this helps.

[Hapahowlee]

My hubby's spine curved more and more as years went by, mostly b/c his right side is stronger than his left. He doesn't like using arm rests, they get in his way.

When he got his new wheelchair, he had a little more buildup in his Jay 2 cushion on the left side and he has been working out and trying to make his left side stronger. I also help him with side stretches and sometimes he sleeps with a pillow under his side to help straighten out the curve.

It's actually gotten better. I've noticed a huge difference within this past year.

Some people require the use of a brace to help correct the spine. Talk with your doctor or PT to see what might be the best option for you.

Good luck ~ Hapa