Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) use wheelchairs for mobility and for full participation in their daily activities. The use of wheelchairs, however, can increase the risk of pressure ulcers. This study focused on wheelchair users’ perceptions of the interplay between their wheeled mobility and the development of pressure ulcers by performing a secondary analysis of data gathered during a 2-year ethnographic study of 20 community-dwelling adults with SCI. Data from a subset of these individuals are described; each of these stories contains a pressure ulcer risk episode related to wheeled mobility or cushion use. Identified risk episodes were associated with wheelchair selection, wheelchair adjustment, habituation to new equipment, lifestyle choices, and challenging life contexts. Examples highlighted the crucial relationship between individuals’ minute-to-minute decision-making and pressure ulcer risk.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Original Article|
September 29 2009
Decisions and Dilemmas in Everyday Life: Daily Use of Wheelchairs by Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and the Impact on Pressure Ulcer Risk
Donald Fogelberg;
Donald Fogelberg
1
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Search for other works by this author on:
Michal Atkins;
Michal Atkins
2
Department of Occupational Therapy, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, California
Search for other works by this author on:
Erna Blanche;
Erna Blanche
3
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael Carlson;
Michael Carlson
1
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Search for other works by this author on:
Florence Clark
Florence Clark
1
Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Search for other works by this author on:
Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil (2009) 15 (2): 16–32.
Citation
Donald Fogelberg, Michal Atkins, Erna Blanche, Michael Carlson, Florence Clark; Decisions and Dilemmas in Everyday Life: Daily Use of Wheelchairs by Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and the Impact on Pressure Ulcer Risk. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 1 October 2009; 15 (2): 16–32. doi: https://doi.org/10.1310/sci1502-16
Download citation file:
Citing articles via
Exercises With Optimal Scapulothoracic Muscle Activation for Individuals With Paraplegia
Linda M. Riek, PT, DPT, PhD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Amy Aronson, DPT<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Kacie Giust, DPT<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Samantha Putnam, DPT<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Hannah Froese, DPT<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Sean Rutherford, DPT<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Mary Kathryn White, DPT
Intervention Design of High-Intensity Interval Training in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury: Narrative Review and Future Perspectives
Daniel D. Veith, MS<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Margaux B. Linde, BS<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Chad C. Wiggins, PhD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Kristin D. Zhao, PhD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Kristin L. Garlanger, DO
Salsalate Improves Postprandial Glycemic and Some Lipid Responses in Persons With Tetraplegia: A Randomized Clinical Pilot Trial With Crossover Design
Jochen Kressler<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Armando Mendez<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Luisa Betancourt<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Mark Nash
Randomized Trial of Two Exercise Programs to Increase Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life for Persons With Spinal Cord Injury
John F. Butzer, MD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Allan J Kozlowski, PhD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Rachel Hern, MS<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Cally Gooch, BS
Association Between the Availability of Mobility Assistive Products and Participation Outcomes in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury in Switzerland
Angelene Fong, MOT, MA<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Armin Gemperli, PhD<span class='al-author-delim'>, </span>Wiebe de Vries, PhD