Sore bum!

[KT100]

Hi all
Any advice regarding the best wheelchair cushions- I’ve been through loads and still yet to find a really comfy one
Thanks
Karl

[Ellie]

Hi Karl,

I've a J2 Deep Contour cushion which has added gel to protect the coccyx. It works very well for my bony bum!

RoHo air cushions are also good.

It all depends on where your pressure points are, so ask your OT to assess you ASAP and to get you a suitable cushion.

I'm sorry you're sore - you need to get it sorted quickly, before you get pressure sores...

Love Ellie.

[JAY TEE]

Karl, I have J2 wheelchair and original seat after a year was very flat and painfull. My chair supplied by local council. They supplied new seat for it. Not sure it’s reference, it is plastic air filled in patches and very comfortable. Best wishes John

[Terry]

Hi Karl;

Sorry to hear about your trouble and try to get it sorted quickly as you might get sores. Try to push that with your OT's and wheelchair service as it's a lot harder to deal with sores then sort out a good cushion.

My hospice OT spoke to the wheelchair service and got me a second hand one inch thick jell over cushion, very heavy but nice to sit on.

I'm quite mobile normally so I am quite often OK with just a standard one.

Love Terry

[M4GK]

Hi Karl
Your OT would be the best person to organise this for you, or your District Nurse.

[Lynne K]

I was given a powered chair but it made my back kick off been really painful since the day it came (fabric seat the probable cause) . They're ordering a new one with car type seat and the best seat for avoiding pressure sores. It'll take 6-8 weeks from ordering and that was 2 weeks ago. I've applied for an adapted apartment, wheelchair friendly doors and light switches and a wet room. I'll hear if successful some time this week after Wednesday. Lynne

[KT100]

Thanks for all your replies, Northampton OT are brilliant and have given me 4 cushions to try out, sadly i didn’t get on with any of them, but happily I have started using the Repose air cushion (£70!from Amazon) which I use over the top of my original cushions and it’s really comfy �� so I finally have a happy bum !

[Lynne K]

That's great KT. Lynne

[Ellie]

Shame you had to buy your own cushion Karl

Your OT, or someone, should have been able to get you a suitable cushion.

Glad you're now more comfortable.

Love Ellie.

[Ellie]

Best of luck with the accommodation Lynne - fingers crossed you'll get it!

Hope you get relief with the backrest too.

Love Ellie.

[Sueb]

Steve has the same problem with his seat cushion on his power chair. He has tried different ones that initially seem ok then they get painful. We are going to wheelchair services next week. Was wondering if anyone has tried the ROHO cushions

Sue

[Terry]

Hi Sue;

They are one of the best generally but expensive if your OT or wheelchair services won't supply. I use a 2 inch one ontop of my normal cushion sometimes but I don't normally get a sore bum. You can get them 4 inches thick to replace the wheelchair one as well.

I guess you've read KT100's comments on a Repose air cushion, again your OT should be able to supply if you say it's for a car seat or chair as well as a wheelchair. Stress to them about him getting very sore and you're both worried about pressure sores.

Hope you get something sorted soon.

Love Terry

[Ellie]

Hi Sue,

I recently tried out a ROHO Dual Compartment cushion for a few days and found it good - it does need adjusting (deflating) and can take a bit of time to get the balance right between comfort and core support. An OT really should set it up.

I need a cushion with minimal pressure, shear and friction on my coccyx but gives good support at the front for my thighs and stabilises my pelvis - that is my OT's opinion, not mine!!

She assessed my seating position and recommended the J2 Deep Contour cushion and it's perfect for my needs.

Ideally, Steve's individual seating needs should be assessed and then a suitable cushion provided for him.

Good cushions *are* expensive but are cheaper than trying to heal a pressure sore...

Love Ellie.

[Sueb]

Thanks for the feedback

Steve seems to sit to his left side so left buttock gets painful also his coccyx gets sore. He seems to slide slightly forward too. He has had a invarcare one with gel in which went flat and now has a vicair which has the teabag shapes inside. At least we can ask about the different options. When you are sitting in a chair all day you need to be comfortable.

He is also having his headrest accessed, they can’t seem to get one that works in the van and keeps his head still and is comfortable.

Sue

[Ellie]

Because Steve is asymmetric, a cushion like a Vicair or ROHO would probably be best. Vicair do several different cushions and can accommodate pelvic asymmetry - take a look at this link: https://www.vicair.com/which-wheelch...i-choose/#quiz
But I do think he should see a seating specialist if at all possible.

My pelvis is very minimally off kilter, but my upper body is quite asymmetrical, so traditional backrest cushions caused pressure sores. I went through the assessment process (that's how I learned about Vicair cushions) and ended up having a cushion made for me. The spend had to be authorised by my OT's manager and she said it was cheaper than treating pressure sores.

The seating specialists also gave me a head restraint for travelling, goes around head at forehead height and Velcros behind the headrest - simple and effective.

Best of luck. As you say, Steve spends so long in his chair, it simply must be comfortable and not cause pressure sores...

Love Ellie.