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apt combination of chair and cushion will allow you
to sit
in a neutral and stable posture and to operate the chair
safely.
Cushions come in an assortment of depths and sizes which
need to
be accommodated by the size of wheelchair frame. Obviously,
you
need to make a decision which cushion is best for you
before you
can make a decision about which chair is best.
Cushion design is by no means an easy subject. There
are many
choices to make as you decide on the right one for you.
To boot,
let us be familiar with cushions. There are four basic
types of
cushions - foam, gel, air floatation, and urethane honeycomb.
There are also designs and systems for more specialized
needs.
Foam technology has come a long way. It now comes in
a range of
densities with varying degrees of memory, holding its
shape as
you sit, contributing to your stability. The new foams
can adapt
to any shape, and still provide even support, spreading
pressure
across the sitting surface. On the downside, foam wears
out
faster than other materials and loses its shape, but
because of
its lower price, this might not worry you.
Gel cushion designs endeavor to substitute the consistency
of
atrophied muscle tissue. Gel fluids are placed in pouches
and
usually attached to a foam base, so that the cushion
matches to
the pressures put on it. Unfortunately, gel cushions
are much
heavier than other types, which can cancel out some
of the
benefits of your lightweight wheelchair. Gel leaking
can also
happen.
Air floatation cushions, on the other hand, support
the body
entirely on air. Air cushions can be less stable for
those who
move around a lot in their chair, but recent designs
offer
either low profile or quadrant options that minimize
this
problem. The balloons used in air cushions can be pricked,
of
course, and leaks do occur, although a fairly heavy
duty rubber
is used. But patching them is easier than with the gel
design.
The biggest drawback to air cushions is that they require
more
maintenance.
Thermoplastic urethane honeycomb cushions are the most
recent
development in cushions. These cushions are able to
distribute
weight evenly but there is no risk of leaking gel or
of an air
bladder being punctured. The many open spaces in the
beehive
structure of the cushion allow air to travel more efficiently.
Urethane honeycomb cushions are very light, absorb shock,
and a
low profile cushion can provide significant support.
The latest exploration regarding cushions is the use
of an air
pump to create alternating pressure to those with more
severe
disabilities who cannot perform their own weight shifts
to
relieve pressure. Sitting for a long period of time
without
relief from pressure causes the separation of muscle
and fatty
tissues, as a result, the delicate skin layer has closer
contact
with the bone causing more pressure on the skin. Lack
of air
circulation increases the temperature between you and
the
cushion. Moisture, on the other hand, is trapped against
the
skin. This may further cause sores.
An example of alternating pressure solution is the
ErgoDynamic
Seating System from ErgoAir in New Hampshire. It pumps
air into
and out of alternating portions of the cushion. Some
of the
alternating pressure products are heavier because they
uses
batteries and air pumps and like air floatation cushions,
susceptible to puncture. Nonetheless, the technology
for these
innovative systems is likely to advance further in the
future,
as new materials and batteries are developed.
About the author:
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|
Choosing
the Best Wheelchair Cushion
