Question:

My granddaughter, age 2-years, is having hip surgery next month. She will be in a full body cast for a minimum of 6-weeks and then in some type of brace. A friend of mine recommended a wheelchair which lies flat, so we could move the child from room to room. Does such a thing exist?

Joyce

Answer:

Yes, there are power chairs for children that are designed to recline into a flat position. These are typically used by individuals with severe mobility disabilities or spinal cord injuries. Fully-reclining wheelchairs typically offer a wide range of tilt options - elevation, decline, tilt to a maximum of 45-degrees, and completely flat positioning. However, I'm not sure this type of wheelchair will work for someone in a rigid cast, and might require the hips or legs to be flexible enough to provide a slight bend that wouldn't be possible for your granddaughter.

I did, however, come across a piece of mobile equipment known as a prone, supine and vertical stander in my search. These innovative transport devices resemble a stretcher on 4 swivel wheels. They can hold a person in a flat horizontal (lying down) or flat vertical (standing up straight) position while being wheeled around. Standers have support pads below the head, trunk, pelvis and knees, and they also provide a foot plate to help support the child in an upright vertical/standing position at their feet.

Standers are typically used for individuals who can't stand, and would be otherwise confined to a bed. They are meant to provide weight bearing support to gradually get your child's muscles and joints used to standing again as they go through therapy. I found this information about prone, supine and vertical standers thanks to a company called AdaptiveMall. For more information call toll free 1-800-371-2778.

Prone, supine and vertical standing equipment is pretty expensive (approximately $4000 online), and I don't believe the cost would be covered under medical insurance for someone who wasn't mobile-impaired and required the equipment for such a short period of time. I would recommend checking with the hospital that's performing your granddaughter's operation to see if you can rent one . Also, because the design of these devices is pretty simple, one can also be made quite easily out of plywood with foam support pads by a handy relative or friend.