Orthopaedic Seat Cushion for Patients for Pressure Ulcer Prevention
Pressure ulcers are skin breakdowns caused primarily by excessive applied pressure. Heat, moisture, friction, poor nutrition, vascular problems, and inability of a person to move are also contributing factors to this, among many others. Presence of these ulcers already has a significant negative impact on an individual and failure to provide protection to the skin for these not to occur, imposes more complications and risks. Prevention of pressure ulcers is a vital measure, and this include proper hygiene, pressure relief, proper skin inspection, and provision of appropriate seating surfaces.
For seating surfaces or seat cushions, they are chosen based on the medium and properties of the materials used in their construction: foam, air, gel, or combination types. They vary in efficacy based on pressure distribution, provision of stability, ability to insulate, or conduct heat, and the reliability of their performance over time (Frontera & DeLisa, 2010). Seat cushions are preferably prescribed and designed specific to the medical and functional needs of an individual and should promote improved positioning, pressure relief, and comfort.
Questions to Consider in Choosing Seat Cushions |
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Note: Adapted from Physical Rehabilitation 6th Ed. by S.B. O’ Sullivan, T.J. Shmidtz, G.D. Fulk, 2014, p.1418, FA Davis Company
Seat Cushions |
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Cushion Type |
Image |
Application |
Benefits |
Limitations |
Plain Rectangular foam |
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Low-risk patients |
Inexpensive |
No pressure relief regions; wears out easily; low maintenance |
*Contour-molded with gel-filled inserts |
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Higher risk patients prone to ulcers |
Molds to body contours |
Heavier than regular foam cushions; uncomfortable when cold |
*Matrix or air-filled elastic capsules |
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High-risk patients who cannot maintain skin integrity with foam products |
Improved pressure relief; bladders can be tied off to create pressure relief regions |
More expensive than foam cushion; bladders can be punctured; high maintenance |
Carve and assemble foam |
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For patients with asymmetries needing custom cutouts |
Lightweight, Low-cost |
Custom-fitted; hard to replicate |
Alternating air cell inflation |
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Very high-risk patients with intractable ulcers |
Battery-powered air compressor sequentially inflates and deflates cells |
Expensive; more complex; requires charging |
Note: Adapted from Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 5th Ed. by D.X. Cifu, 2016, p.334, Elsevier
*Product Images from Healing From Home
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References
Frontera, W. R., & Delisa, J. A. (2010). DeLisa’s Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation: principles and practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
Md, D. C. X. (2015). Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5th ed.). Elsevier.
O’Sullivan, S. B., Shmidtz, T.J., Fulk G.D., (2014). Physical Rehabilitation 6th Ed. FA Davis Company.
Image sources
Alternating air cell inflation [Photograph]. (2015). In Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5th ed.) (p. 334).
Carve and assemble foam [Photograph]. (2015). In Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5th ed.) (p. 334).
Contour-molded with gel-filled inserts. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healingfromhome.com/collections/seat-cushion
Matrix or air-filled elastic capsules. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healingfromhome.com/collections/seat-cushion
Plain Rectangular foam [Photograph]. (2015). In Braddom’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (5th ed.) (p. 334).