Devising a Practical Cushion for Spinal Cord Injured (SCI) Patients

Abstract

          Pressure sores are common problem in spinal cord injured patients. These caused by many factors. An important factor is pressure from sitting. Therefore, having a cushion at reasonable price and yet able to distribute weight well will reduce the incidence of pressure sores. This is why such a cushion has been devised as the same principle of making sockets for lower-Iimb prostheses which distribute the weight of bone knobs to tolerant area. The available materials such as cotton or synthetic fabrics and inner tubes for motorcycle tires are used. The inner tubes should be placed at the center of the cotton or synthetic fiber pillow nearly to the rear edge in order to allow the ischial tuberosity and coccyx to rest in the ring of the inner tube and distribute their weight to the femurs and the surrounding tissue of the ischium. This type of cushion has been applied to three patients with spinal cord problems and to one with an ischial fracture. Two of the patients experienced a reduction of their pressure sores. One patient had a pressure sore of about one centimeter in diameter at the coccyx. This problem was resolved by increasing the air pressure in the motorcycle inner tube and removing the center pillow. In the case of the remaining patient, who could not sit normally because of pain in the left ischium, the cushion permitted the patient to sit without experiencing ischial pain. However, it will be necessary to put this cushion to use and monitor the results of its usage in order to be able to recommend any modifications to it in the future.