Skin Microclimate and Wheelchair Seating, Part 1 In a study at the University of Minnesota on the impact of temperature, porcine participants were given 100mmHG of mechanical pressure to six identically sized areas2. The only variable was the temperature of each site. At 25° C (77° F) the study concluded there was no significant damage. At 45° C (113° F), the difference was dramatic, described as "full thickness cutaneous and deep tissue injury." 1/29/2020 Keep Reading
Muscle Tone Altered muscle tone is a common problem that wheelchair prescribers face when assessing for wheelchairs and seating. Altered muscle tone can negatively impact function and affect the way a user interacts with their wheelchair equipment. 12/27/2019 Keep Reading
Addressing the Goals of Pelvic Stability When Reclining When an individual uses recline, the pelvis often moves out of position which can impact overall positioning and function. In this blog post we are going to take a closer look at recline and review some solutions for addressing the potentially negative impacts of this power seat function (PSF). 11/30/2019 Keep Reading
An Overview of Ultralight Manual Wheelchair Frame Styles The range of active user ultralight manual wheelchairs currently on the market is formidable. Each varies in frame design and configuration, weight, adjustability, and the available accessories. So, where do we start when making our recommendations? 10/31/2019 Keep Reading
Standardized Terms in Seating and Mobility Are we all speaking the same language in seating and mobility? Have you heard a wheelchair cushion being called a "pillow" by someone who does not work in this field? Do you call a "wheel lock" a "brake" on a wheelchair or an arm support an "armrest"? Is a pelvic positioning belt the same as a pelvic belt for transportation of occupied wheelchairs? (The answer to this last question is no!) The language of seating and mobility is evolving and, in fact, becoming standardized. Let's take a look at why standardization in terms is important and review a sampling of common terms. 9/30/2019 Keep Reading