CASE STUDY – Pain and Positioning
Engage APOD® Cushion and Float™ Positioner
Life Care Center Of Gwinett, Lawrenceville, GA

Melody Brown, PT

Patient: 79 year old LTC male pt 120 lbs

Primary Diagnosis: CVA with L hypertonicity, L AKA, L elbow contracture, chronic
pain, acute kidney failure, HTN, severe PVD, Hx DVT, A-fib, CAD, Stage 2 pressure
injury to L heel.

Existing Wheelchair Seating: Patient seated in a standard sling seat wheelchair
with standard foam cushion.

Positioning / clinical Issues: Patient was reporting constant pain when in the chair,
however was unable to rate the pain. Pt was in sacral sitting and would get into
sacral sliding to avoid pain. Pt would fatigue as he was up in the chair and would
present with increased sacral sliding. He presented with R lateral leaning as a result
of increased extensor tone on L side and was unable to sit and maintain pelvic
neutral without pain. He would demonstrate forward head posture as his sacral
sitting increased and would struggle to make eye contact with peers. His sitting
tolerance was limited by pain, fatigue and positional abnormalities.

PostureWorks Intervention: Pt was transitioned into a high back, sling seat,
reclining wheelchair with elevating R leg rest and an Engage APOD Medium Profile
cushion. A large Tube Float Positioner was also placed behind the pt in the lumbar
section of the sling back chair and the ends would rest on either side of lateral thigh
just distal to the greater trochanter.

Outcome: Pt is now sitting in an upright and mid-line trunk position with no sacral
sitting or sliding. He is reporting comfort when up in the chair. He is engaging with
his peers and is able to make eye contact. His sitting tolerance has increased by 2
hours.

Quality Outcome Measures Impacted by Intervention: Pain, QOL

Feedback from therapist: “The Engage APOD and Float Positioner have been
life changing for my pt. His quality of life has increased significantly.”

Note: This is a representative example; actual user evaluations, and decisions regarding the
appropriateness of a particular product for a particular individual, should always be made by a
qualified healthcare professional.

CASE STUDY – Positioning, Pain

Matrix Medium Profile and Position Pro Insert
Amy Fitzgerald, COTA, ADOR, Lynn MA

Patient: 97 YO, Female, LTC Resident

Primary Diagnosis: OA, Weakness, CHF, HTN, TIA

Existing Wheelchair Seating: Pt was sitting in a sling seat standard wheelchair
with a foam general use cushion

Positioning / Clinical Issues: Pt was in sacral sitting and sliding. Her out of bed
time was limited to 5-6 hours as a result of fatigue from poor positioning and
discomfort from sacral sitting. She was limited in attendence to afternoon
activities as a result of discomfort and fatigue requiring her to return to bed.

PostureWorks Intervention: Matrix Medium Profile Cushion with Position Pro
Insert

Outcome: Pt is no longer in sacral sitting and sliding. She is sitting in an upright
and midline position. She is able to independently self mobilize. She no longer
reports any discomfort related to positioning. Her sitting tolerance has increased
to 8 hours or more as a result of improved positioning and elimination of
discomfort. The Position Pro Insert added positioning support to keep her in
pelvic neutral and prevent sacral sitting and sliding. As a result of being in better
biomechanical alignment, she does not use excess energy for sitting and is now
able to use that energy for leisure activities including increased attendance to
afternoon acitivites.

Quality Outcome Measures Impacted by Intervention: QOL, Pain

Feedback from Therapist: “ I am amazed at what the Position Pro Insert and
Matrix Medium Profile intervention did for my pt. It is great to see her sitting
upright and attending activities that she previously missed.”

 

Note: This is a representative example; actual user evaluations, and decisions regarding the
appropriateness of a particular product for a particular individual, should always be made by a
qualified healthcare professional.