8 replies to this topic

[kanga2433]

I have a visit on Monday from the OT at the Wheelchair service. Briefly I have a GPV and a 'Flo-Tech Plus' cushion but I am acquiring red marks on my 'bum' and I have asked to be reviewed and to find something better. Now I know next to nothing about how this should be done so I was looking for information about it.

I know that my pelvis is unsupported as I don't have muscles that can move it and the angle of the backrest is such that it does nothing to help. When I visited RGK to look at the wheelchairs, this was one of the things they pointed out; that the pevis not being supported would not help the back further up and I end up slouching.

So, suggestions for what to do or ask for and especially any sites with information opn how to prescribe cushions. Sorry that there is so little time, but I thought the Sunrise site would have the answers with Jay cushions but they only have technical details and not how to go about choosing.

[Simon]

Have you looked on Jay's site or do Sunrise own them?
I'm not sure the wheelchair services people will be any good either, so as you are doing, do your own research and hope they'll give you what you want.
Have always used a roho high profile - for me excellent but am c4 complete. Tried Jays about 10 yrs ago, red within 2 days - no good.

[Bookjunky]

Over the years I have had pincore latex, a funky gel/water combo pad, t-foam, a jay and a few roho's. The Roho's were the best of the bunch IMHO. I have had low profile, high profile and countour select. I love the countour select.

[Avocado Baby]

Hi,

I've found the best cushions to be Vicair. They're made up of lots of different compartments containing little triangles full of air. You can add numbers of triangles to a certain compartment and take them away from others so that it balances out a pelvic oblquity and helps you sit straighter.

I get mine from my local NHS wheelchair clinic.

I've found Jay Cushions to be quite backward sloping, which really makes my hip joints and back hurt!!

[debs]

I use a Varilite cushion.
I was on a Jay2 before that but when I got my new RGK chair the rep told me about the Varilite.
I really like it, it has a special valve on it and when you open it it inflates the cushion then you do the valve up and sit on the cushion, then you open the valve and let out the air according to your weight.
My spinal unit (Salisbury) advised me how much air to let out.
The cushion is really light and doesn't get anywhere near as hot as a Jay2.

[Valo]

debs, on May 26 2006, 05:30 PM, said:

I use a Varilite cushion.
I was on a Jay2 before that but when I got my new RGK chair the rep told me about the Varilite.
I really like it, it has a special valve on it and when you open it it inflates the cushion then you do the valve up and sit on the cushion, then you open the valve and let out the air according to your weight.
My spinal unit (Salisbury) advised me how much air to let out.
The cushion is really light and doesn't get anywhere near as hot as a Jay2.

I too use a varilite cushion the evolution to be exact and it's great never had any skin problems at all, this is the only cushion I can use, I've tried Jay's etc but they marked me really badly. I also have an RGK Chair and I always feel really well supported while sittng compared to my quickie.
The OT's at the spinal unit in glasgow did a presure reading using a presure mat connected to a pc, the result gave them a clear indication on where all my weight is distriubed on the cushion and helped them with there recommendation, so I suggest trying to get somthing like that done.

Hope this helps you Kanga

Edited by Valo, 05 June 2006 - 02:03 PM.

[kanga2433]

Thanks for the advice guys. I have managed to get a Jay 2 which is working pretty well for me so I'll probably stick with it for a while. It has some serious gel bags and seems to be OK. If I have any more red makrs and patches this may have to be revised though.

[AHolland]

I have used a ROHO Quadtro for years with reasonable success. The Quattro has a little valve in it that holds air in different sides of the seat. I have some twist on my spine so my left side sits lower than the right (bum). The quattro fix's this because I can put more air in the left side than the right side thereby pushing my left bum higher than the right. This corrects the spinal twist.

One thing I did long ago was to pick up a spare seat through ebay. I ended up paying only $100.00 for a new one. It took a while and there were a lot of $150.00 ones that were sold. Eventually I go an auction where my $100.00 won.

[milosh]

got roho and handigel. don't know why, but am not fond of roho much.