
General:
Who Should Use Dynamic Seating?:
- The client is moving seating components out of alignment.
- The client has broken seating, hardware, or the wheelchair frame.
- The client actively seeks out movement, such as rocking.
- The client is more alert or less agitated with movement.
- The client has sustained injuries from colliding with portions of the seating system or wheelchair frame with sudden force.
- The client has sustained injuries from pushing against the seating system with sustained force.
- The client is ‘standing up’ in the seating system.
- The client is extending within the seating system and moving out of alignment with the support surfaces.
- Dynamic components absorb and diffuse force, protecting the wheelchair user from injury caused by their sustained and/or repeated forces and reducing subsequent damage to the seating system and wheelchair (further client injury may occur as the result of equipment damage).
- Dynamic Seating allows movement within the seating system without loss of alignment.
- Movement provides sensory input which many clients seek out and which may decrease agitation and increase alertness.
- Dynamic seating components may improve postural control, stability, and function.
- Cerebral palsy
- Huntington’s Disease
- Spinal cord injury (when spasms are present)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Other diagnoses where increased tone is present
- Cerebral palsy
- Developmental disabilities
- Sensory processing disorder (when a wheelchair is also required)
- Other diagnoses where the client seeks out movement
- To protect the client from injury
- To protect wheelchair and seating hardware from breakage
- To maintain client posture within the seating system.
- To increase sitting tolerance and compliance
- To provide vestibular input
- To provide active range of motion
- To increase alertness
- To decrease agitation
- To increase function
- To increase strength and postural control
- To reduce active extension
- To reduce energy exertion
Clinical Considerations:
Ordering Considerations:


General:
- The back canes have bent or broken.
- The back canes are moving when the client moves (indicating these could break soon!).
- The client has bent or broken lateral trunk pads or back mounting hardware.
- The client has sustained injuries from colliding with the back or lateral trunk pads of the seating system with sudden force.
- The client has sustained injuries from pushing against the seating system with sustained force.
- The client is ‘standing up’ in the seating system.
- The client has a friction rash on their back.
- The client’s pelvis slides forward when returning to sitting after ‘standing up’ in the seating system.
- The client actively seeks out movement, such as rocking.
- The client is more alert or less agitated with movement.
Compatibility:
Installation and Adjustment:
PDG Mobility
The DRBi is available on this manufacturer’s order form. When ordered on-chair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. When the DRBi is retrofitted to an existing PDG Mobility wheelchair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty, even if the back posts are cut to length as a part of installation.Freedom Designs (operating subsidiary of Invacare)
The DRBi is available on this manufacturer’s order form. When ordered on-chair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. When the DRBi is retrofitted to an existing Freedom Designs wheelchair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. However, if the back posts are modified (cut to length as a part of installation), the warranty will no longer cover the actual back posts.Invacare
The DRBi is available on this manufacturer’s order form. When ordered on-chair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. When the DRBi is retrofitted to an existing Invacare wheelchair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. However, if the back canes are modified (cut to length as a part of installation), the warranty will no longer cover the actual back canes.Ki Mobility (operating subsidiary of Etac)
The DRBi is available on this manufacturer’s order form. When ordered on-chair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. When the DRBi is retrofitted to an existing Ki Mobility wheelchair, the DRBi does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. However, if the back posts are modified (cut to length as a part of installation), the warranty will no longer cover the actual back posts. If new back posts are ordered from Ki Mobility at the required length, the warranty is not voided on this item.Elastomers:
The DRBi includes a range of elastomers to change the resistance without having to order more equipment. The elastomers should allow the client to move the back and then assist the client back to a starting position. The default elastomer is clear (Medium). The least amount of resistance is the Yellow (soft) elastomer. Also available is Blue (Firm) and Green (Extra Firm). If the client cannot readily move the DRBi, less resistance is required. If the client does not readily return to a starting position, more resistance may be indicated.
https://www.seatingdynamics.com/2018/02/06/much-much-choosing-resistance/ https://www.seatingdynamics.com/2021/03/01/quick-class-dynamic-seating-resistance-drbi-back/Latch (lock out):
Other:

General:
- The footplates are no longer in the correct position. These may be drooping or rotated outward.
- The footrest hangers are bent or broken.
- The footrest mounting hardware is broken.
- The client is injuring their lower legs against the footrest hangers (i.e. banging, bruising).
- The client is injuring themselves by pushing with force through the legs. This could lead to swollen and painful knees or ankles, patellar dislocation, tendon tearing, or even bone fracture.
- The client seeks out movement, such as knee extension or a kicking motion.
- The client is ‘standing’ on the footplates, getting leverage to ‘stand up’ in the wheelchair.
- All dynamic footrests have telescopic movement. In other words, the footrests extend or get longer in response to force, up to 1.5”. When the force lessens, the dynamic footrest will return to its original length. The amount of the resistance can be changed by using different springs. Three springs of differing resistance are included. Using telescoping movement without knee extension is appropriate for clients who have very tight hamstrings and may slide into a posterior pelvic tilt with active knee extension. This model is not available in the high pivot design.
- Dynamic knee movement allows the client to extend or semi elevate their knee up to 30 degrees. The footrests to be set at a starting point of 90, 80, 70, 60, or 50 degrees of knee flexion. Each footrest can be adjusted separately to meet an individual client’s needs.
- Another option is dynamic plantar and dorsi flexion at the ankle. This option allows approximately 10 degrees of movement in either direction. This should not be used when the client has an AFO (ankle foot orthosis), as this will not allow the ankle to move. The footplate to footrest hanger starting angle is adjustable. please leave links
Compatibility:
Installation and Adjustment:
- Specific Wheelchair Frame: This will vary depending on the type of wheelchair, as some receivers sit above, at, or below the top of the seat rail and will affect the overall length.
- Seat to Floor Height: When using the longer length dynamic footrests, the seat to floor height of the wheelchair must be considered. The dynamic footrest will extend (telescope) up to 1.5 inches. Therefore, overall length of the dynamic footrests on the wheelchair equals the leg length PLUS the 1.5” telescopic movement.
- The Dynamic Plantar Dorsi Assembly: The dynamic plantar dorsi housing adds almost 2 additional inches below the footplate, so make sure that you have 3 ½” or more of ground clearance when using this option. This must be within the available seat to floor height.
- Footrest Hanger Angle: The knee angle becomes very important to consider as a longer length can be used at a 60 degree angle than at a 90 degree angle, for example.
Elastomers and Springs:
- Telescoping movement utilizes springs which are quite durable and generally do not require replacement for wear and tear.
- Knee extension utilizes elastomers which should be checked every 6-12 months. If the client is moving into knee extension too readily, the elastomers most likely need to be replaced.
- The resistance of the plantar and dorsi flexion feature cannot be changed, however these elastomers can wear out. The resistance should be checked every 6-12 months. If the client is moving into plantar or dorsi flexion too readily or not returning to a starting position, the elastomers most likely need to be replaced.
Other

General:
- Our Adjustable Windswept upper footrest hardware is designed to accommodate increased hip adduction on one side and increased hip abduction on the other side.
- Our Adjustable Super Contracture upper footrest hardware is designed to accommodate significant knee flexion contractures. Seating Dynamics also provides adjustable plantar and dorsi flexion extensions.
- Plantar Dorsi lower extension footrest hardware is designed to accommodate significant ankle range limitations and maintain footplate position.
One-Piece Footboard:

General:
- The head support pads are moving out of alignment.
- The head support pads, or hardware are broken.
- The client is able to move into neck hyperextension.
- The client repeatedly contacts the posterior head pad with force (banging).
- The client pushes with sustained force against the posterior head pad.
- The client is rotating their head, losing contact with the posterior pad, and falling forward.
Installation and Adjustment:
Lock Out Feature:
