Force on the sacrococcygeal and ischial areas during posterior pelvic tilt in seated posture.

BACKGROUND

Most posture problems encountered in persons who use wheelchairs in a seated posture for extended periods are related to sacral sitting due to posterior pelvic tilt. Posterior pelvic tilt places pressure and shearing force on the sacrococcygeal area that can lead to pressure ulcers, but the relationship between pelvic tilt and force applied to the sacrococcygeal and ischial tuberosity areas has not yet been investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships of posterior pelvic tilt in a seated posture with vertical force and horizontal force on the sacrococcygeal and ischial tuberosity areas.

STUDY DESIGN

Repeated measures design.

METHODS

Thirty male and female subjects aged ≥60 years sat in a measurement chair at varying pelvic tilt angles, and force on the sacrococcygeal and ischial tuberosity areas was measured.

RESULTS

The pressure on the sacrococcygeal area increased with pelvic tilt in all subjects, with vertical force averaging 19% of the body weight at a pelvic tilt angle of 30°. The horizontal force on the sacrococcygeal area increased in 93% of the subjects, with an average increase equal to 3% of the body weight.

CONCLUSIONS

We confirmed changes in vertical and horizontal forces on the sacrococcygeal and ischial tuberosity areas with a change in seated posture (pelvic tilt).

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

We propose guidelines for rehabilitation practitioners working with wheelchair users to suggest improved ways of sitting in wheelchairs that avoid pelvic tilt angles that might promote pressure ulcers on the buttocks.