State Spinal Cord Injury Service
Spinal Seating Modules

Key concepts in this module
- Pressure management is a high priority for clients with a Spinal Cord Injury
- Knowledge of pressure injury risk factors, risk assessment tools and common locations of pressure areas assists the investigation of pressure related seating problems
- A detailed seating assessment to address pressure management is warranted if the client has a current or recurrent sitting acquired pressure injury, or if a client requires a new seating and mobility system
- Consider the client’s ‘size’, ‘shape’ and functional abilities in comparison to the current seating and wheeled mobility system in recognition of pressure related issues and intervene accordingly
- Posture, pressure, functional capability and client comfort are interrelated aspects of seating
- The seating system will not eliminate pressure all together, weight-shift (relief strategies) are an integral consideration.
- Consult with a Spinal Seating Service and relevant professionals for support or joint consultation as required.
References
- Canadian Best Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries in People with Spinal Cord Injury- A Resource Handbook for Clinicians; Houghton PE, Campbell KE and CPG Panel (2013). ISBN 978-0-9919094-0-7 http://onf.org/system/attachments/168/original/Pressure_Ulcers_Best_Practice_Guideline_Final_web4.pdf
- Bowman, T. “Preventing and treating pressure sores: a guide for people with spinal cord injuries”, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, 2015
- Pressure Injury Prevention and Treatment Following Spinal Cord Injury: A Clinical Practice Guideline for Health-Care Professionals, 2ND edition, Consortium for Spinal Cord Medicine, 2014 http://www.pva.org/atf/cf/%7BCA2A0FFB-6859-4BC1-BC96-6B57F57F0391%7D/CPG_Pressure%20Injury.pdf
- “Preventing and treating pressure sores: a guide for people with spinal cord injuries”, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario, 2015