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Determining if Dynamic Footrests are Appropriate

Determining if Dynamic Footrests are Appropriate


In general, if a client has moderate to significant extension and/or has a history of equipment breakage, Dynamic Footrests may be appropriate. You may note that the client is extending at the knees, exerting significant force on the footplates, or actually leveraging off of the footplates and elevating the pelvis clear off of the seating surface!

In this video, you will see that by simply swinging away the footrest hangers, it is easy to observe if a client extends at the knees. Without contact with the footplate, much of the force behind this extension is reduced. Removing the footrest hangers permanently is not an option, as distributing weight along the buttocks, posterior thigh and the soles of the feet is important and also provides stability and preserves ankle range of motion. Dynamic Footrests support the feet, yet allow movement into knee extension, as well as downward, and then facilitating a return to a neutral starting position.

By allowing this controlled movement, extensor forces through the joints are reduced, the joints are protected from injury, sitting tolerance is increased and some active range of motion is provided.

Learn more about Dynamic Seating: https://www.seatingdynamics.com

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