7 replies to this topic

[Avocado Baby]

Hello everyone,

I've been suffering from a trapped nerve between my neck and shoulders for about 3 months now and it's really painful and reduces my mobility cos my arm keeps going numb. It's also stopping me fom sleeping so I'm a bit fed up!!

I've been referred to physio who have said that the cause is my bad posture due to my scoliosis and they can't really do anything apart from give me very short term relief with my posture the way it is. I had a spinal fusion to T8 last February but it actually seems to have made things worse

I went to the wheelchair clinic at my local hospital to try anf get something sorted and they gave me a lateral 'support' to prevent me from leaning to right but I've now taken it off cos it moved and was acting more of a leanng post and actively encouraged me to lean to the right

They were a bit baffled as to what else to do as they didn't know of any postural supports that would work for my folding wheelchair as it has to be folded to get in my car hoist. I have a Kuschall Ultra Light- can anyone advise me on a postural support that I could use in my chair to help me sit straigher? I don't really want to have another fusion but I can see it happening the way I'm going!!

Thanks everyone!

Ali xx

[silone74]

Hi i have a rigid chair but had the same problem i have altered the position of my backrest to a more up right position and tightend the straps at the back this felt very strange to me at first but i have found that i sit straight up and i lean alot less i am not really sure how the back rest on a folding chair can be adjusted?I have no problems getting my chair in and out of a car though i have a very light tilite zra i am not sure of your situation but have you tried a rigid chair maybe a really light 1 will be ok and i know there are alot more choise of backs for them that hold you in place and help with posture.
I have the same problem with leanning to 1 side but have nearly sorted it by doing this

I hope some thing can help a s a p


Silone74

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there,

Thanks for the advice. I used to have a rigid chair but have just had to change because of the hoist I have that gets my chair into the car. A rigid one wouldn't work with it. I have the backstaps as tight as they'll goi but lean off to the right!!

Oh well...I'll keep looking!!

[kewlcatkez]

Hi Pink Ali,

have you looked at ranges similar to and including the Jay Precision? Please see the brochure HERE which has details which state:

Provides mild to moderate lateral
support. w Optional fixed or swing-away lateral supports ideal for correcting or supporting asymmetrical or symmetrical posture. w Asymmetrical and symmetrical options
available. w Fixed or swing-away. Lateral

I know that Otto Bock have a 'back' series which according to their website can

"feature three uniquely adjustable advanced composite designs to meet a wide range of positioning needs.
All Backs feature a flip-lock quick-release system for easy, secure installation or removal from the wheelchair. The lower back brackets can be mounted in front of the backpost to decrease the seat depth, or behind the backpost to increase the seat depth."

and the Back 2 in particular apparently:

"Provides mild lateral support for positioning. Contour lines preserve upper body range of motion."


Perhaps pursuing some of these rigid yet removable backs with Lateral support is the best choice. If you need quite a bit of support, I doubt it will be achieved without this type of system.

Also, did you try contacting Kuschall distributer and asking them what they recommend to be used with their chairs?

Take care,

K

[Motor]

kewlcatkez, on Jan 17 2008, 02:37 PM, said:

Hi Pink Ali,

have you looked at ranges similar to and including the Jay Precision? Please see the brochure HERE which has details which state:

Provides mild to moderate lateral
support. w Optional fixed or swing-away lateral supports ideal for correcting or supporting asymmetrical or symmetrical posture. w Asymmetrical and symmetrical options
available. w Fixed or swing-away. Lateral

I know that Otto Bock have a 'back' series which according to their website can

"feature three uniquely adjustable advanced composite designs to meet a wide range of positioning needs.
All Backs feature a flip-lock quick-release system for easy, secure installation or removal from the wheelchair. The lower back brackets can be mounted in front of the backpost to decrease the seat depth, or behind the backpost to increase the seat depth."

and the Back 2 in particular apparently:

"Provides mild lateral support for positioning. Contour lines preserve upper body range of motion."


Perhaps pursuing some of these rigid yet removable backs with Lateral support is the best choice. If you need quite a bit of support, I doubt it will be achieved without this type of system.

Also, did you try contacting Kuschall distributer and asking them what they recommend to be used with their chairs?

Take care,

K

Hey guys,

I had a problem with leaning to one side so I removed arm rests, that stooped me from leaning on them. Did fall out of chair a few times though..LOL. I also had what my therapists called more dump put in my seat cushion, it actually slants from higher in front to lower at backrest. I have a Jay back but added a lumbar roll to cause me to sit up tall with shoulders back. Hope I helped a little.

[Avocado Baby]

Cheers for your help guys. I'll have a look at those sites and see what I can find.

[Avocado Baby]

Looks like Otto Bock is my best bet as they seem more easily removable. I'm going to mention them to the wheelchair clinic and see what they can provide.

Thanks again for your help!

[kewlcatkez]

Pink Ali, on Jan 20 2008, 12:47 AM, said:

Looks like Otto Bock is my best bet as they seem more easily removable. I'm going to mention them to the wheelchair clinic and see what they can provide.

Thanks again for your help!

Hi Pink Ali,

I was also wondering if you had looked into http://www.activemob...-air-p-240.html

The blurb says:

"£68.09
OBUS FORME takes the original OBUS FORME Lowback Backrest Support to a new confort level by providing exceptional relief and support to the lower back with the Obus Forme Custom Air. A built-in CustomAir lumbar support easily inflates through 50 comfort settings to custom fit, and reduce strain on your lower back.
Dimensions: Height 21" (53cm) Width 17" (43cm)

Colours:Black, Navy Blue, Grey, Burgundy."

HOWEVER, they look like they are put over your backrest, so I would think that may cause issues, as they would take up some seat room/throw the centre of gravity etc. what I DID think though, was that perhaps the wheelchair centre could use something like that to fashion a seat back rest lateral supports? I know our w/chair service has its own workshop for maintenance and they are pretty good with interesting challenges. (THATS why they are sooo busy!!)

Just wanted to mention it, and there are others on the site too. This one is an air filled one and there are ones with memory foam etc. Caution would be taken regarding the kind of protection they would give to your spine re pressure areas, but probably similar and better than a canvas..but then there would be added pressure due to the contours and any protrusions of the laterals...

Hope this is of use to you or someone!

Take care,

K