Page 16 - Mobility Management, September/October 2022

ATP Series
Somewhere to Go
go on the chair that would allow that movement and [allow the wheelchair rider to] come back? Then you’d see a lot more support and probably a lot less back pain, a lot less fatigue, a lot less strain and repet- itive injuries because you have something that’s dynamically working with them so that they’re not doing all the work.”
Think of more ergonomic and robust office chairs, with backrests that allow users to lean back to a certain degree, then, when that force is relaxed, bring the users to their original, more upright position.
“So with office chairs, there are some that have rotation,” Pedersen said. “You can go back on that office chair, you have that nice stretch, and then it’ll bring you back. You’re not hanging off the chair.
“I see the future of dynamic systems is lighter weight, but with the same strength for all those forces that you need for your [clients who rock]. And then for the more
active individuals that just need that little bit [of movement and support] to be incorporated into their seating system.”
Lange is hoping for future systems with greater transportability. “Our industry needs a dynamic back that readily folds down to ease transport,” she said.
(Currently, Sunrise Medical’s backs for its manual tilt-in-space Quickie and Zippie IRIS wheelchairs do fold.)
“Not all of the dynamic head support hardware ‘locks out,’ and this can be helpful when going over rough terrain or during feeding,” she added.
And perhaps along with improving technology, more education on dynamic seating could also be helpful so healthcare professionals have a better understanding of who could benefit... and when.
Lange remembered a therapist who knew a client who routinely broke head- rests. The seating team responded by adding more robust headrest hardware. As
it could no longer be dispersed through the headrest, the tremendous force was reabsorbed by the client, who fractured two neck vertebrae as a result.
“This is not a time where you want something tougher,” Lange explained. “You want to let [the headrest] move, because tougher didn’t absorb the force. The force went somewhere, and the client fractured two vertebrae.”
She also recalled a different client who suffered from chronic pain and injuries while in a static seating system. “Before we got him a dynamic footrest, he fractured his femur and dislocated both his patellae. And it was from pushing, pushing, pushing. His knees were red and swollen all the time.
“We got him dynamic footrests and his parents said, ‘We will never, ever, ever go back to a static chair.’ Because they said his knees aren’t swollen and red anymore. And he can sit in the chair all day.” m
Real Essential Comfort
For over 40 years, Broda has provided essential seating
comfort in long-term care.
To honor this milestone, we’re highlighting Broda stories from people whose lives, careers, and businesses have been improved by using our seating solutions.
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Celebrating Four Decades of Comfort
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