Hand positioning in wheelchair.

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  • mickmac
    Forum Member
    • Nov 2016
    • 41

    Hand positioning in wheelchair.

    Hi

    I'm having some trouble with my hands and wanted to check with people here before I talk to my OT. Basically my mnd started in my arms but then progressed to my legs. As a result I'm now in a wheelchair full time for the past year or so. I still have some movement in my legs but nowhere near enough to stand up or walk. However I can lift my legs a few inches up from the chair one at a time. My hands are almost completely immobile. I can maybe twitch the hands a bit and I have some movements in my shoulders.

    Usually I have someone place my hands on my thighs during the day but lately I've found that the hand from the wrist down tends to twist around and settle into strange and uncomfortable positions. I have tried having them moved again but it doesn't always work. They seem to bend themselves around after a few minutes. I've tried putting my hands up on the arm rests of the chair only to find that they entire arm will eventually fall off and become trapped down between my body and the chair.

    Can anyone advise if they have had similar troubles or if they have any ideas on how to place my hands for more comfort during the day.
  • Ellie
    Forum Member
    • Oct 2012
    • 12428

    #2
    Hi Mick,

    If you don't have useful hand function, what about hand splints or braces? Or even wear them intermittently during the day if you have some hand function.

    I wear these comfortable splints by DeRoyal, but there are many others available:

    325_fmt.jpg


    Your OT should know what will best suit you. Or maybe a lap cushion would hold your hands in place, providing you're not risking pressure sores, though not ideal for summer weather!! Definitely mention it to the Clinic OT at your next appt.

    How are you doing these days?

    Love Ellie.
    ​Diagnosed 2007. Sporadic Definite ALS/MND Spinal (hand) Onset.
    Significant bulbar impairment - No functional limbs - No speech - Feeding tube - Overnight NIV - Eye gaze user
    .

    Comment

    • Terry
      Forum Member
      • May 2012
      • 1917

      #3
      Hi Mickmac,

      All sounds very frustrating and a pain.

      I wonder if wheelchair services can get some armrests made up so they are soft and in the shape of a trough. Maybe someone could put sides on the armrests and something that you could put your hand into.

      Failing this, maybe Ellies splints or similar with Velcro on and stick them to the armrests.

      Love Terry
      TB once said that "The forum is still the best source for friendship and information."

      It will only remain so if new people post and keep us updated on things that work or don't work and tips.

      Please post on old threads that are of use so that others see them and feel free to start new subjects and threads.

      Comment

      • Iron Will
        Forum Member
        • Jun 2018
        • 33

        #4
        not been able to walk for 2 years so I'm used to that. however my arms are now very weak too. I will soon be applying for the trough idea where my arms can be placed whilst I drive my power chair. I saw a chair the other day and it had an extra control behind the shoulder for the care/wife to use. a good idea I thought.

        Comment

        • Terry
          Forum Member
          • May 2012
          • 1917

          #5
          Hi Iron Will;

          THey can be normally be fitted by the wheelchair services and are called a "Attendant Control", you can also get chin and head controls. You can normally switch between them.

          Attendant controls that are fixed to the wheelchair can be very hard to drive smoothly, so maybe a control that can be removed with a extra long wire would be better.

          Love Terry
          TB once said that "The forum is still the best source for friendship and information."

          It will only remain so if new people post and keep us updated on things that work or don't work and tips.

          Please post on old threads that are of use so that others see them and feel free to start new subjects and threads.

          Comment

          • Iron Will
            Forum Member
            • Jun 2018
            • 33

            #6
            Originally posted by Terry View Post
            Hi Iron Will;

            THey can be normally be fitted by the wheelchair services and are called a "Attendant Control", you can also get chin and head controls. You can normally switch between them.

            Attendant controls that are fixed to the wheelchair can be very hard to drive smoothly, so maybe a control that can be removed with a extra long wire would be better.

            Love Terry
            thanks again Terry.

            Comment

            • GemmaPob
              Forum Member
              • Jul 2016
              • 7

              #7
              Hi Ellie, where did you order these splints from? I've tried to get the exact same but everyone says that they do not ship to the UK? Thank you, Gemma

              Comment

              • Ellie
                Forum Member
                • Oct 2012
                • 12428

                #8
                My physio gave me them Gemma - they are quite expensive!! but long-lasting and comfortable, provided your hand muscles are not too tight.

                There is one on Amazon, right hand size M, £46. There's a Dublin-based physiotherapy site with the full range of sizes, but they are €81.
                (I'd happily post them to you if UK shipping is very expensive)

                Ask your OT or physio and see if they can give you them, or something similar.

                Love Ellie.
                ​Diagnosed 2007. Sporadic Definite ALS/MND Spinal (hand) Onset.
                Significant bulbar impairment - No functional limbs - No speech - Feeding tube - Overnight NIV - Eye gaze user
                .

                Comment

                • Terry
                  Forum Member
                  • May 2012
                  • 1917

                  #9
                  Hi Gemma,

                  Have you checked with your OT and hand therapy at the hospital.

                  Love Terry
                  TB once said that "The forum is still the best source for friendship and information."

                  It will only remain so if new people post and keep us updated on things that work or don't work and tips.

                  Please post on old threads that are of use so that others see them and feel free to start new subjects and threads.

                  Comment

                  • Sueb
                    Forum Member
                    • Aug 2014
                    • 86

                    #10
                    Steve had similar ones provided by Orthics then he had some that were moulded to is hands.

                    Steve can’t use his hands to drive his wheelchair. He uses a foot plate to drive it has he still has some slight movement in his legs and feet. I use the attendant control when needed

                    Sue

                    Comment

                    • Vicky86
                      Forum Member
                      • Dec 2018
                      • 50

                      #11
                      Hello

                      My dad has this same problem and asked wheelchair services who fitted arm rests /troughs to his wheelchair which better hold his arms up and in place

                      I would try them

                      Comment

                      • slp
                        Forum Member
                        • May 2018
                        • 154

                        #12
                        Hi Sue

                        I can't use the hand controls on my wheelchair any more either but I had a control fitted that I can operate with my chin which is amazing but I can't use it despite my best efforts ! However I do have quite good movement in my legs and feet so could you explain how it works please

                        Thanks
                        Sarah x

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