Description
As there are limited funding resources, limited space in families’ homes, and limited time in the day, it is important to choose equipment wisely and to be able to justify to families and payor sources why this equipment is necessary. One such item commonly prescribed is a stander. Standers are recommended for children and adults with disabilities who are unable to stand independently. Standers are prescribed to help individuals benefit from upright positioning to improve one density, respiration, digestion, pressure injury risk, as well as many as other bodily functions have been shown to improve in individuals who stand. Standing with the hips abducted may also decrease the risk of hip subluxation and dislocation. However, questions still remain about the best time to introduce standers and the types of standers to use for these individuals.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The reader will be able to describe why hip subluxation is a problem for children who are GMFCS Level IV and V.
2. The reader will be able to state the current recommendations for hip surveillance.
The reader will be able to list three studies that support the use of standing in abduction to decrease hip subluxation and why.
Lauren Rosen, PT, MPT, MSMS, ATP/SMS is a Physical Therapist at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida. She is the Program Coordinator for the Motion Analysis Center, a three-dimensional motion analysis lab where she runs a pediatric and adult seating and positioning clinic. She has been active in DME prescription for over 20 years. She is a past member of the Board of Directors of RESNA.