13 replies to this topic

[ryan Kruse]

I'm having a hard time getting my Roho cushion just right. It's either too hard or too flat which both cause discomfort and red spots. I have the older type where it has two valves that control middle back which is lower than the sides and front. I weight around 130-140 pounds and was wondering if their was a pressure chart and gauge that would tell me if inflated properly. Do any of my fellow wheelchairians have an idea on this? Zank youz for das info!

Ryan

[kewlcatkez]

ryan Kruse, on Jan 22 2008, 03:33 PM, said:

I'm having a hard time getting my Roho cushion just right. It's either too hard or too flat which both cause discomfort and red spots. I have the older type where it has two valves that control middle back which is lower than the sides and front. I weight around 130-140 pounds and was wondering if their was a pressure chart and gauge that would tell me if inflated properly. Do any of my fellow wheelchairians have an idea on this? Zank youz for das info!

Ryan

Hi Ryan,

I found THESE Roho Instructions but I suppose you may already know this. There doesn't seem to be a definitive ROHO weight guide..not that I have been able to find right now, anyway!

I suppose that you may have already tried this, but have you visited http://www.therohogr...l/downloads.jsp There in the medical Section ( the link should take you there) there are PDFs on all sorts from mattresses to overlays and cushions. There may be something to help you there.

Hope that this helps.

Take care,

K

[Texaswheelz]

HMM i just blow mine up where i know for sure it has to much air in it and then have my wife stick her hand under my ass and slowly release the air until there is just enough air to keep her hand on my ass and almost touching the bottom. The little balls of air shouldn't be stiff when your setting on them, maybe the ones that pop up between your legs since there isn't weight on them, but the ones your setting on should almost seem flat and have just enough air to actually give you support and not let you sink all the way down. The majority of people keep to much air in theirs which causes the little balls of air to be to stiff, which then causes problems.

[a la carte]

Texaswheelz, on Jan 22 2008, 09:15 AM, said:

Roho Settings, How to

1) Get a Varilite Evolution.

2) Fill Roho with helium and tether it to a used car with a "For Sale" sign. Don't leave your number...

Seriously, I went throug two Rohos (they convinced me to try one with the four chambers after unsuccessful experience with the "monochamber" design). It wasn't any better. Changing elevations wreak havoc with 'em, too. I always seemed to have a sore.

Then one day I met someone who works at Cascade Design (Varilite Evolution). I had never heard of 'em, though I only live a few rain clouds from the company. They fitted me for one right before a trip to South Africa. My sore actually almost completely healed during the trip because of the cushion and in spite of 18 hour flights!!!!!

That was '04. I've never had a sore since. Had an air leak one time 'cuz I somehow smashed the air valve(!). They gave me a replacement cushion AND replaced the valve and gave me the original back. Wow.

They showed me a pressure mapping device that has 1" square cells at the same time. They place it under your cushion and you can see the "pressure" in colors on a computer screen. Saw how much a 1" thick wedge under the front of the pad relieved the "hot spots." Too cool. Everyone should definitely see if they can find access to one of those babies!!!

Anyway, zero sores in 4 years. Speaks volumes to me, so I'm tryin' to pass it on!!! (Not to mention how EXTREMELY easy and light they are, too.)

Edited by a la carte, 23 January 2008 - 02:47 AM.

[Tired of hurting]

I have a Roho too. Have you had your butt mapped. That will show you how it should feel, when it's got the right amount of air. I weigh 94 lbs and my butt bones are right on the skin. I feel for ya! Hope this helps...

[KimAndSophie]

a la carte, on Jan 22 2008, 09:44 PM, said:

1) Get a Varilite Evolution.

2) Fill Roho with helium and tether it to a used car with a "For Sale" sign. Don't leave your number...

Wow, I had a Varalite Evolution and in less than a week using it the right way I had pressure sores starting! I got a Roho High Profile Quadtro and never had a problem with pressure spots since. I'm using my Varalite again now because I got a hole in my Roho from a hook that I used for hanging decorations on the tree and can't seem to find it, but as soon as I can get someone to find and patch the hole I'll be going back to my Roho! With the Varalite it is either really unstable from too much air or I get sores! I followed all of the instructions exactly, but it's one of the worst cushions I have ever used (along with a gell filled Jay cushion and a Motion concepts foam cushion). I do the same "hand thing" people have mentioned when adjusting the air in my Roho and it works great! I also know people who say Roho's give them sores, but they have so much air in them they are bulging when no one is even sitting on them! An air filled cushion won't work when you have so much air in it, it's as hard as concrete! But, a lot of people don't seem to understand that!

[Hawkeye]

Texaswheelz, on Jan 22 2008, 11:15 AM, said:

HMM i just blow mine up where i know for sure it has to much air in it and then have my wife stick her hand under my ass and slowly release the air until there is just enough air to keep her hand on my ass and almost touching the bottom. The little balls of air shouldn't be stiff when your setting on them, maybe the ones that pop up between your legs since there isn't weight on them, but the ones your setting on should almost seem flat and have just enough air to actually give you support and not let you sink all the way down. The majority of people keep to much air in theirs which causes the little balls of air to be to stiff, which then causes problems.

Other than doing it myself, that's the way I've always done it also. Roho is the only type of cushion I've ever used. Almost 28 post injury, and I've never had more than a bit of a red mark, that went away overnight. I'm currently using a Low Profile Quadtro, but my first 3 or 4, where regular high profile.

Good Luck...

Joe

[handi2]

I use the Roho Nexus Spirit. It has the sculpted foam base with the Roho air cushions under the butt. They have worked great for the last 7 years but I have allot of sensation and constantly lift and shift myself so I don't think I would get sores in any cushion. They are light weight and don't have all the "cow tity's" swelling up between your legs. they also make transfering much easier b/c the front doesn't mash or flatten down.

[crowmagnum]

I'm waiting on a "Patent Pending" status on a air gauge for ROHO cushions, I should have it by the end of this week, I'll put more out here once I get my status locked in. It's TOO Cool, can't wait to get my news out.

[Gleno]

I had a Roho cushion years ago--tell you what-I'wasn't too impressed
I'm very rough on my wheelchair and cushions due to the fact that I'm very active and am always doing things I shouldn't--lol

Anyways--my Roho lasted about 1 1/2 years and then went POP! I tried repairing it with the patches I got with it--no go--even used a special kind of silicon rubber to try and repair it ( I could not afford a new one coz they're too expensive here in SA)
Anyways--after a bit of thinking I came up with an idea--threw the Roho away and made my own out of downhill racing bike tubes--much tougher and have been sitting on it for 9 years now without any pressure sores.
The same applies---pump it up till there's a finger's gap between your butt bones and the bottom

The trick too of course is to keep moving your butt on the cushion--don't keep still and let your butt get the chance of getting any pressure points--if you can

[eujei]

it really is different for everybody. You can truly say if a cushion is good if you can stay sitted for hours without doing a ass-lift and it wont ghurt your butt. I have a Jay 2 and as a quad I cant lift my butt and I have made a 24h sitting marathon on this cushion and no redness

[kewlcatkez]

Hey there,

Since posting to this thread the other year, I have had direct experience of the ROHO cushion. Therefore I feel more comfy giving my 10p's worth! Ha!.
I switched to a ROHO after having hassles with skin breakdown and fragility.

My ROHO is the 4 chamber type ie you can close off chambers in order to help positioning, etc. `The idea with the ROHO is that you sit in it rather than on it..Generally speaking here, unless you have been told otherwise, you should inflate the cushion transfer onto it, place your hand under your butt - between your butt and the cushion (or have a PA etc do it) and slowly let air out of the valve until when you wiggle your hand up and down slightly you just start to be aware of the bottom of the cushion - when you press. This way there should be a layer of air between your butt and the base of the cushion and you are in the cushion, with air under you but not on it. Of course closing off the chambers is a similar process.

I have to admit i HATED it for at east the first 2 months. This is mainly because in comparison to the memory foam/gel cushions I had used previously, it was sooo easy to fall out head first as when I lean forwards with the chambers all open, the air pushes behind me and PLOP I'm on the floor!

HTH

Kx

[edlee]

Pretty important to keep that valve closed, huh?

By the way,, welcome back.
ed

[SteveT5]

I've used a Roho high profile for 17yrs an i've only had 1 pressure sore and it wasn't caused by the cushion. So I can only say the Roho works best for myself and I adjust it the same way...stick ur hand under ur ass to ck the air amount.