Modular seating for paralytic scoliosis: design and initial experience. 1981

B R Seeger, and A D Sutherland

The conventional wheelchair sling seat provides little or no support to the spine of a child with myopathy or neurogenic muscular weakness. As the spinal muscles become weaker scoliosis may develop with associated deformity, pain and restriction of cardio-respiratory function. If muscle weakness is severe, the resultant fully developed deformity is virtually impossible to treat. Slowing the rate of increase of the deformity is, therefore, the most hopeful avenue of attack. This work addresses the hypothesis that custom moulded seating can increase sitting comfort and slow the rate of progression of spinal curvature in children with paralytic scoliosis, and further, that a range of standard or modular seats can achieve these goals at less cost. Previous work on this problem has ranged from simply padding the armrest, in order to distribute force over the rib cage, through to custom moulded seating. Our initial experience with custom moulding, using the bean bag evacuation and consolidation technique, produced several comfortable seats although the technique was labour intensive and therefore costly. This led us to attempt to develop a method of providing comfortable seating that would help control spinal deformity at reasonable cost. This paper describes the design of a standardized seating system for school age children with myopathy or neurogenic muscular weakness. Preliminary results indicate that this technique may have advantages over alternative methods of treatment. The radiological study is continuing.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D009133 Muscular Atrophy Derangement in size and number of muscle fibers occurring with aging, reduction in blood supply, or following immobilization, prolonged weightlessness, malnutrition, and particularly in denervation. Atrophy, Muscle,Neurogenic Muscular Atrophy,Neurotrophic Muscular Atrophy,Atrophies, Muscle,Atrophies, Muscular,Atrophies, Neurogenic Muscular,Atrophies, Neurotrophic Muscular,Atrophy, Muscular,Atrophy, Neurogenic Muscular,Atrophy, Neurotrophic Muscular,Muscle Atrophies,Muscle Atrophy,Muscular Atrophies,Muscular Atrophies, Neurogenic,Muscular Atrophies, Neurotrophic,Muscular Atrophy, Neurogenic,Muscular Atrophy, Neurotrophic,Neurogenic Muscular Atrophies,Neurotrophic Muscular Atrophies
D009136 Muscular Dystrophies A heterogeneous group of inherited MYOPATHIES, characterized by wasting and weakness of the SKELETAL MUSCLE. They are categorized by the sites of MUSCLE WEAKNESS; AGE OF ONSET; and INHERITANCE PATTERNS. Muscular Dystrophy,Myodystrophica,Myodystrophy,Dystrophies, Muscular,Dystrophy, Muscular,Myodystrophicas,Myodystrophies
D010243 Paralysis A general term most often used to describe severe or complete loss of muscle strength due to motor system disease from the level of the cerebral cortex to the muscle fiber. This term may also occasionally refer to a loss of sensory function. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p45) Palsy,Plegia,Todd Paralysis,Todd's Paralysis,Palsies,Paralyses,Paralysis, Todd,Paralysis, Todd's,Plegias,Todds Paralysis
D011859 Radiography Examination of any part of the body for diagnostic purposes by means of X-RAYS or GAMMA RAYS, recording the image on a sensitized surface (such as photographic film). Radiology, Diagnostic X-Ray,Roentgenography,X-Ray, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X-Ray,Diagnostic X-Ray Radiology,X-Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,Diagnostic X Ray,Diagnostic X Ray Radiology,Diagnostic X-Rays,Radiology, Diagnostic X Ray,X Ray Radiology, Diagnostic,X Ray, Diagnostic,X-Rays, Diagnostic
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004867 Equipment Design Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware. Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012600 Scoliosis An appreciable lateral deviation in the normally straight vertical line of the spine. (Dorland, 27th ed) Scolioses
D014910 Wheelchairs Chairs or seating mounted on wheels and designed to be controlled or propelled by the occupant. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers power-operated vehicles (scooters), walkers, and wheelchairs as durable medical equipment. Wheel Chairs,Chair, Wheel,Chairs, Wheel,Wheel Chair,Wheelchair

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