What Does Fit And Function Of Your Mobility Device Really Mean?

One size does not fit all when it comes to wheelchair seating. While shops sell cushions, backrests, pelvic belts, and other positioning items, the selection and fit are as personal as choosing the right shoe. The seating system must accommodate several requirements. These necessities include but do not have a limitation to your posture and balance, the prevention of pressure issues, and the support of functional movement and activities while on the wheelchair.

According to a wheelchair athlete, the “fit of the seat” is the most essential element in his chair’s overall performance. He can effectively move the chair if it offers body-trunk balance. Is it possible that the seating is too limiting for the job? Absolutely. Which is why working with someone with the proper training for an evaluation and trial is critical to your decision-making process. This method effectively guarantees the tailoring of the product’s features and advantages to your specific requirements. There are certain common assessment criteria that your health care team should consider. These criteria include:

• Precise body measures
• A skin evaluation
• Your sitting balance
• Mobility objectives

However, there is one that people often overlook:

Evaluate in Motion Assessment Approach

It means that I never purchase shoes without first strolling around the shop. I always try out new skis at a mountain before buying them. We would never purchase a vehicle without first trying it out. Expect nothing less from “your body orthosis on wheels.” You can’t tell whether a seat cushion, back, pelvic support, or other positioning devices will function unless you move it. Push a manual chair in an office or along a corridor or a power chair across rough terrain. Sitting vs. moving affects your body’s response to tone and your sitting stability in the chair.

Many of you may believe that you have been using a wheelchair for a long time and that you should simply replace it. The “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” adage applies in many cases. However, aging with a disability may cause as many changes to the body as a new user. Therefore, it is critical to examine and reevaluate in order to maintain appropriate fit and function.