A wheelchair is a great help for those who have difficulty walking due to conditions such as spinal cord injuries to perform daily tasks. Wheelchairs help them maintain their freedom and independence. However, sometimes, with continued use of this wheelchair, pain can occur in various parts of the body, especially in the joints. Perhaps you too have experienced this. This is something that many people face, so don't worry about it. Today we will talk about joint pain that occurs when using this wheelchair, its causes, and what we can do to get rid of it.
What really happens when you stay in a wheelchair for too long?
Think about what happens when you spend most of your day in a wheelchair. Our upper body, including our arms, shoulders, and back, is put under more strain than normal. Pushing the wheelchair, getting in and out of it, and doing everyday tasks while sitting in it all use the upper body. Over time, this can lead to pain in the neck, elbows, wrists, hands, and lower back .
Of these, our shoulders are the most affected. There are several reasons for this.
- Overuse: Every time you push a wheelchair, your shoulder joint has to work hard. When you work hard like this, the muscles and tendons around the shoulder joint can become swollen and painful.
- Complex structure: The shoulder joint is one of the most complex joints in our body, with a wide range of movements. It also has a small amount of muscle tissue surrounding it, making it more susceptible to injury.
In addition to shoulders, some people may experience hip pain. The main cause of this is sitting in the same position for a long time.
Are there other factors that affect this pain?
Yes, it really is. Not everyone experiences this pain the same way. There are several factors that affect it.
- Age: Older people are generally more likely to develop joint pain than younger people.
- Body Mass Index (BMI): Simply put, if you are overweight, the pressure on your joints increases, which increases your risk of pain.
- The length of time the condition has been present: If a condition such as a spinal cord injury has been present for a long time, pain may be caused by certain changes in the joints.
But there is some good news. Some studies have found that joint pain can increase in the first three months of using a wheelchair, and then decrease as you get used to the wheelchair. This is because over time, our arms and shoulders gain more experience and strength.
But remember, pain is a signal that something is wrong inside our body. So never ignore it.
What can be done to prevent and reduce pain?
We don't have to live with this pain. There are several things we can do to manage it.
1. Medical advice and exercises
The best solution to this is to do muscle strength training . When the muscles around the shoulders, arms, and back are strengthened, the pressure on the joints is reduced.
But the most important thing here is to talk to your doctor or a physiotherapist to decide which exercises are right for you. They will assess your condition and give you a specific, safe set of exercises. Doing exercises that you feel comfortable with may actually make your pain worse.
2. Maintaining correct posture in the wheelchair
This is the most important and easiest thing to do. If you change the way you sit in your wheelchair a little, you can greatly reduce the pressure on your joints. To be precise, our body weight should be evenly distributed throughout the chair.
Let's look at the table below to see how to sit correctly in a wheelchair.
| Body part | The correct posture to have |
|---|---|
| Hips and Pelvis | Sit with your buttocks touching the back of the chair. Your body should be centered on the chair. Make sure that both the right and left sides of your hips are level. |
| Trunk | Your chest and back should be centered on the backrest of the chair. Don't lean to one side. Stay straight. |
| Thighs & Knees | The thighs should be straight. The knees should be at or slightly below the hip joints. Keep both knees at the same level. |
| Feet | Your soles should be fully in contact with the footplate. |
| Head | Keep your head straight and centered. Don't lean to one side. If you have a headrest, it should be positioned at the back of your head, just above your neck, and at the base of your skull. |
| Arms & Elbows | The armrest of the chair should be at a height that provides good support for your elbow and forearm. It should not be too high or too low. |
This posture may be a little difficult to maintain all the time. But once you get used to it, it will become your body's natural instinct. This correct posture eliminates unnecessary pressure on the joints and reduces pain to a great extent.
When to definitely seek medical advice
As I've said before, pain should never be ignored. If you experience any new pain, aches, or discomfort while using a wheelchair, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.
In particular,
- If the pain persists for more than three months,
- If the pain gradually increases,
- If the pain is interfering with your daily activities,
Seek medical advice immediately. There may be another cause for the pain. Therefore, it is very important to get a proper diagnosis and receive the necessary treatment.
Take-Home Message
- It's common to experience pain in joints like your shoulders, neck, and back when using a wheelchair. Don't worry about it, remember that it can be managed.
- One of the best ways to prevent pain is to sit in the wheelchair with proper posture . Sit with your body weight evenly distributed.
- It's very helpful to do exercises that strengthen the muscles in your shoulders and arms. However, ask your doctor or physical therapist which exercises are right for you.
- Don't ignore any type of pain. If it persists or is severe, be sure to see your doctor for advice.
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