Anatomy in the seated position
The skeleton makes the load bearing construction in every position – even the seated position. To create a
continuously stable seated position for a person suffering from poor sitting ability involves support of the
skeleton by the wheelchair in a way that exploit the body’s inborn opportunities to keep upright in the
seated position against gravity as far as possible. It means, that a close and precise contact to the backside
of the body is necessary – corresponding to both seat surface and back as seen in the sagittal plane – tjeck
the drawings below:
It also means that a close and precise contact to the body laterally is needed seen in the frontal plane to
offer the wheelchair user the freedom to use arms for activity performances without collapse in the
truncus.
You must particularly show interest to the general impression and the interaction between pelvis, columna
and head and if possible show a special interest to the Spina Illiaca Posterior Superior (SIPS) (d).
The anatomy in the seated position demand particularly creation of stability from below – meaning the
pelvis – to avoid that both the upper body and the head will tilt and loose symmetry immediately or in the
future.
To prevent physical damages from emerging – including pressure ulcers and tissue injuries – caused by
sitting you must consider the following three core elements:
 Stability
 Pressure distribution
 Performance of activities and occupation
www.siddestillingskompagniet.dk