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Q How do you test for a reduction in lumbar lordosis?

A Val Buchan's Lumbar Test: Val, who is a physiotherapist with the Ongwanada seating team, and I were assessing a client. We were considering a tilt chair for a number of valid reasons. However, Val wanted to be sure that the tilting would reduce this client's lumbar lordosis before we committed to a tilt chair.

Val devised this test to provide objective information. With the client seated in an upright wheelchair, we inserted a S.E.T. bladder between the client and the backrest at the lumbar level. We inflated the bladder to 20 mmHg. with the client in place. We tipped the chair and client to an angle of thirty degrees to simulate the effect of tilt. An increase in bladder pressure would support the contention that the lumbar lordosis had reduced in response to tilting. If the bladder pressure failed to increase, it would indicate that the lumbar lordosis did not reduce in response to tilting.

In this particular case the pressure increased to 30 mmHg., giving us sufficient confidence to proceed with a tilt chair. We also considered that a soft backrest would allow the client to sink into the backrest deeper when tilted and thus provide misleading information.

Q How do I adjust Adjustments to ArticuLeg footrests?

A Adjusting an ArticuLeg footrests in an elevated position will block it from returning to the lowest position. One should only adjust the leg length when the footrest is in the lowest position. If a shorter adjustment is required in this position, the dealer can reduce the length of the 7/8 tube by cutting a short section off.

Q What about Seat Belts?

A We are obliged to remind dealers and clinicians that seat belts that are attached to the chair via sheet metal screws are subject to ripping out under minor loads. Furthermore, seat belts equipped with an eyelet will not withstand the forces incurred in a crash. Plastic buckles designed for luggage will only take about 250 Lb. loads. Our seat belts are designed with auto type buckles and base plates attached to the chair with 5/16” number eight cap screws to withstand twenty G forces incurred in a crash. For the difference of a couple of bucks we advise you to play it safe and order ASB100.

Q Is there a New Method For Measuring Pelvic Obliquity?

A Our S.E.T. workshops have made it quite clear that the ability and accuracy of locating the anterior spines difers dramatically from clinician to clinician. Furthermore, the possibility of determining the actual angle of obliquity was out of the question making pelvic obliquity data very subjective. These problems led us to develop the following method:

The ML gauge is laid across the thighs with the projections pointing downward. The angle locator is placed on the upper surface of the ML gauge. It becomes a simple matter to read the angle shown on the locator and determine the oblique angle. The angle is then recorded with reference to the low end. For example, 3 degrees low left. We have been able to uncover oblique angles of 1 and 2 degrees quickly and with repeatable success. The ML gauge lays on the rectos femurs which is attached to the anterior inferior iliac spines making this the fastest and most reliable method by which to produce objective data relating to an oblique pelvis.