Repetative Strain Injury

This type of injury is becoming more and more prevalent in our society, from carpal tunnel syndrome to shoulder injuries suffered by a growing number of aging individuals in manual wheelchairs. It has always been the stance of medical professionals and insurance carriers to limit the ability of walking impaired to manual wheelchairs as their principle means of mobility. It makes sense that if you are walking impaired, that your calorie burn to intake ration is less, and using a manual wheelchair will help burn more calories, and help keep the user physically fit.

As these clients who were prescribed only manual wheelchairs for their mobility are aging, many are finding themselves having severe pain in the shoulders, which is being diagnosed as repetitive strain injuries. In addition to propelling their wheelchair throughout the day, within their homes, into the community and workplaces; medical professionals are realizing that the human shoulder has limited capacity for these functions.

The movements of pushing a wheelchair, compounded with independent transfers, and daily routines it generally too much for the human shoulder to handle.

It has always been my belief that there is a balance between manual and powered mobility for individuals who are confined to a wheelchair, and dependent for their mobility. From a mobility stance, having the ability to use manual mobility within the home and work place, as the chairs are smaller and more maneuverable is certainly an advantage. Manual wheelchair burn more calories, reducing the potential for excess weight gain; and increases strength allowing for independent transfers. Powered wheelchairs allow a user to travel across greater distances, which put users at risk for repetitive strain injuries.

Repetitive strain injuries can cost funding sources tens of thousands of dollars, not to mention loss of employment to the wheelchair user. This loss could be simply reduced by providing both a manual wheelchair, and powered system to long term users of mobility aids. It would make sense (and reduce costs) by providing this equipment to specific diagnosis; that generally develop these types of injuries.

A possible solution to save money and benefit the wheelchair population, would be to provide both types of equipment; and prompt an education program for potential injury groups to explain the benefits of using both types of equipment; thereby reducing medical care costs, and risk of obesity from inactivity.

This article was provided by Carey Britton, ATP/SMS, CRTS from Active Mobility Center, located in Pompano Beach, FL. He can be reached at 954-946-5793 or cbritton@wheelchairguys.com