Invacare Adjustable Back Upholstery - Manuel (Page 4)

Adjustable Tension Back Upholstery 4 Part No 1039470
Why Use Adjustable Tension Upholstery: A Clinical
Discussion
NOTE: For this procedure, refer to FIGURE 2, FIGURE 3, and FIGURE 4.
The flexible sling upholstery commonly used on wheelchairs allows the wheelchair to
fold without removing rigid components. Sling upholstery will stretch with use.
Unfortunately, stretched upholstery does not support the back well. Stretched upholstery
often allows the pelvis to drift into posterior tilt while the back assumes a kyphotic
posture.
With the adjustable tension backrest, the sag can be taken out of the sling restoring the
original tightness. Adjustable tension upholstery can also provide significant
improvements to the seated posture and function of the wheelchair. By changing the
tension of the strap, the backrest can be adjusted to accommodate back postures such as
kyphosis, lordosis, stabilize the pelvis and back, and provide lateral stability.
In addition to restoring the sling to original
tension, the adjustable tension backrest can
be adjusted to help maintain the pelvis and
back position, which can improve posture,
balance and function.
The wheelchair backrest should be able to
follow the natural anatomical contours of
the back. When viewing a person from the
side, the thoracic portion of the back will
extend posteriorly to the pelvis and
buttocks (FIGURE 2).
FIGURE 2
When using a non‐adjustable flat backrest, the top portion of the upholstery will usually
push the trunk forward of the center of gravity over the pelvis. To maintain the trunk in
the upright posture, the user must have and use the back extensor musculature, or add tilt
or recline to backrest (FIGURE 3).
FIGURE 3