Can a foam cushion replace an air cushion in responding to hip flexion asymmetry limitation with leg length discrepancies?
Keywords
Encephalitis; encephalomyelitis, tetraplegia, osteoporosis, gastroesophageal reflux, dysphagia, enteral nutrition, long-term care, nursing care, hip flexion limitation, asymmetrical hip flexion limitation, wheelchair, seating, posture, Spex Flex cushion, stability, seat to back angle.
Abstract
TJ is a 55-year-old woman with complex medical presentation presenting with bilateral hip flexion asymmetry. She resides in long-term nursing care facility and required review of her seating system due to asymmetrical hip flexion limitations and difficulties maintaining positioning on the existing air cushion in the wheelchair which resulted in her sliding down on the seat. The Spex Flex Cushion was introduced to promote stability and maintain upright sitting posture in the wheelchair.
Background
TJ is a 55-year-old woman with diagnoses of encephalitis, encephalomyelitis, tetraplegia, gastroesophageal reflux, dysphagia and osteoporosis. She has a G-tube for enteral nutrition. She had a girdlestone procedure on her right hip in 2011 due to osteomylelitis and failed arthroplasty. She has been residing in long term nursing facilities since 2007 and has been in her current location since 2009.
TJ was first seen in seating clinic in 2007. At that time, hip flexion was 80 degrees bilaterally. She was positioned in a manual wheelchair and modifications were performed to this chair. Her range of motion was maintained over the next few years.
She moved to her current nursing facility in 2009 and in 2010, demonstrated the ability to drive a power wheelchair. Modifications were completed on a donated power wheelchair with tilt to assist with maintaining posture. Range of motion was maintained over the next 3 years even after having a girdlestone procedure on her right hip. In 2013, it was noted that her range was decreasing and hip flexion was 70 degrees on the right and 75 degrees on the left. Wheelchair accommodations were made to accommodate for the change in range with the seat to back support angle opened. She also had a leg length discrepancy from the girdlestone procedure that was accommodated as well.
In 2018, TJ was evaluated for a new power wheelchair with tilt. Hip flexion was 60 degrees on the right and 80 degrees left. Due to the significant difference in hip flexion between the left and right hip and the leg length discrepancy, a custom Roho seat cushion was designed to meet her needs. A wedge was used to increase the flexion on the left side and decrease some of TJ’ sliding down on the seat cushion. An air cushion was used to assist in maintaining good skin integrity. She had been using a Roho cushion for many years and had not had any skin integrity issues.
2018 – Assessment and seating simulation to optimise stability and accommodate hip flexion limitations.
2018 – left thigh contouring requirements and seat-to-back angle accommodation due to hip flexion asymmetry limitations.
2018 – Seating system set-up post simulation with custom air cushion for facilitating prelvic alignment, maintaining skin integrity and accommodating hip flexion limitations.
Although good positioning was achieved at the delivery, it was difficult to maintain the cushion and ensure the wedges were properly positioned and the seat cushion was on the chair properly. When the cushioning wasn’t set up appropriately, TJ would slide down on the seat and was unable to fix herself, depending on caregivers to adjust her.
This therapist was introduced to the Spex Flex cushion in November 2019. Due to the ability to accommodate hip flexion and leg length discrepancy, it appeared that it would work well with TJ. Although the seat cushion wasn’t available in the US, Bruce (Spex Ltd) agreed to support a trial of this cushion with this client. Information was sent to Bruce including measurements for the cushion.
TJ received the new cushion in September 2020. Once the cushion was positioned on the wheelchair, armrests, back support and footrests were adjusted.
2020 – (chair in tilt) Spex Flex cushion introduced to contour to hip flexion asymmetry limitations
Spex Flex cushion – accommodation of individual hip flexion limitations possible with off-the-shelf solution
2020 – Chair in upright position for driving. Note height adjustments required at foot supports, arm supports, back support and head support.
This cushion worked well for TJ since it accommodated the differences in hip flexion and since her left leg could be flexed greater than the right, it assisted in preventing her from sliding down on the seat (which she is at greater risk for with an open seat to back support angle for both hips). It also allowed her to be more upright in the chair since the right leg was lowered to accommodate the hip limitation. The cushion was able to accommodate for the leg length discrepancy. The cushion provided increased stability and support that the Roho custom cushion was unable to provide.
Six months later it is reported that caregivers ability to position TJ in the chair has improved and TJ has stopped sliding down on the seat. The increased stability of the cushion improved TJ’s posture and she has tolerated the cushion well with no pressure injury issues. TJ states she is comfortable on the cushion.
2020 Seating posture (frontal plane)
2020 – Wheelchair configuration with communication aid
- Wheelchair seating adjustability needs to be considered when changing individual components. Increased height of the Spex Flex cushion will require adjustments to supports below feet and arms and behind back and head
- Leg length discrepancy accomodation requires careful considersation to ensure pelvic rotation is controlled for good sitting posture. This may be possible in an off-the-shelf cushion although may require customisation to better respond to individal body measurement and shape.
- When adding addtional wedging below the thigh consider potential changes to seat depth requirements and ensure that the seat to back dimensions can be adjusted accordingly.