March 1, 2024 — by Seth McBride – newmobility.com
What type of cushion to use is one of the most important decisions you make when setting up your wheelchair. The right cushion can keep your skin safe, improve your posture and enhance your stability. The wrong cushion can lead to pressure injuries, spasticity and pain.
Cushions come in all different types, from foam, to air, gel, honeycomb, custom and more. So which is the best for you? Like with most mobility aids, the best wheelchair cushion depends on your body, your level of mobility and your daily life. Here are nine things to consider when getting your next everyday wheelchair cushion.
Pressure Relief
This is what my rehab therapist told me to put “on the top” of the list. Joking, but it’s true. Pressure relief is often the top concern of therapists who do seating evaluations. If you have limited or no sensation, have dealt with pressure injuries before, or have difficulty repositioning yourself, finding a cushion that evenly distributes pressure is critical to keeping pressure sores away.
Custom cushions like Ride Designs Custom 2 (see Cushion Types, below) often show the most even pressure mapping — where you sit on an electronic pad that plots areas of low and high pressure. ROHO air cushions come in a close second. Important note: Many wheelchair users overinflate their air cushions, which helps stability but negates the pressure distribution benefits. For proper pressure relief, you have to sit in the air cells, not on top of them.
Gel cushions, like the ubiquitous JAY J2, often score in the midrange for pressure relief, as do lesser-known Supracor Stimulite cushions made from a rubberlike honeycomb structure. Off-the-shelf foam cushions often score worst for pressure relief, but there are huge variations based on the shape, density and contour of the foam. Pressure mapping of different materials can vary a lot based on your body type and seating position. So, if pressure relief is your primary goal, it would be ideal to map a variety of cushions with a qualified therapist.
Read More: https://newmobility.com/how-to-choose-the-best-wheelchair-cushion-for-you/