Musculoskeletal Problems in Wheelchair Users: A Review Study

Year 2022, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 383 - 390, 31.05.2022

Merve Suay Ucgul , Gamze Aydın , Ela Tarakcı

Abstract

Mobility is the basic need for functionality in human life. Physically disabled people often require mobility aids and wheelchairs are the most commonly preferred assistive mobility devices for enhancing independent functional mobility. Today, powered and manual wheelchair technology is available. Manual wheelchair propulsion necessitates more repetitive loading, but because the human body is not designed for such movement, musculoskeletal and functional issues such as pain and joint limitation may arise among manual wheelchair users. They require more support from their spine, arm, elbow, and wrist for mobility, transfer, pressure relief, and most daily activities. During these tasks, repetitive weight-bearing and mobility activities tend to increase the risk of injury, increasing dependence on helpers and a lower quality of life. Accordingly, this review synthesizes musculoskeletal problems and preventive strategies in wheelchair users. Improved understanding of risk factors can assist health professionals who assess, treat, and guide manual wheelchair users.

Keywords

wheelchairs, musculoskeletal pain, cumulative trauma disorders

Tekerlekli Sandalye Kullanıcılarında Kas İskelet Sistemi Problemleri: Bir Derleme Çalışması/Musculoskeletal Problems in Wheelchair Users: A Review Study

Abstract

Mobilite, insan yaşamında fonksiyonellik için temel ihtiyaçtır. Fiziksel engelli insanlar, genellikle mobilite için yardıma ihtiyaç duyarlar. Tekerlekli sandalyeler, bağımsız fonksiyonel hareketliliği artırmak için en yaygın tercih edilen yardımcı cihazlardır. Günümüzde elektrikli ve manuel tekerlekli sandalye teknolojisinden yararlanılmaktadır. Tekrarlayan yüklenmeler, manuel tekerlekli sandalyenin ilerletilmesi için gereklidir, ancak ne yazık ki insan vücudu bu hareket için özelleşmemiştir ve ağrı, eklem kısıtlaması ve ilgili fonksiyonel problemler gibi kas-iskelet sistemi sorunlarına neden olur. Manuel tekerlekli sandalye kullanıcısı, mobilite, transfer ve günlük yaşam aktivitelerinin çoğu için kollarından daha fazla destek almalıdır. Bu görevler sırasında tekrarlayan ağırlık taşıma ve hareketlilik aktiviteleri, yaralanma riskini artırır ve kişinin bir dış desteğe bağımlılığı artırarak yaşam kalitesinin azalmasına neden olur. Bu derlemenin amacı tekerlekli sandalye kullananlarda kas-iskelet sistemi problemlerini sentezlemektir. Risk faktörlerinin daha iyi anlaşılması, manuel tekerlekli sandalye kullanıcısını değerlendiren, tedavi eden ve yönlendiren sağlık uzmanlarına yardımcı olacaktır.

Keywords

Tekerlekli sandalyeler, kas-iskelet ağrısı, kümülatif travma bozuklukları

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