A verticalizer is an independent device or going in addition to other rehabilitation means. Designed to maintain the body in an upright position for people with disabilities. The main purpose is to prevent and mitigate the negative consequences of a sedentary or lying lifestyle, such as pressure sores, renal and pulmonary failure, osteoporosis.
In this article, special attention will be paid to the features of verticalizers for children with cerebral palsy.
Existing types of verticalizers
Consider the types of verticalizers available on the market.
A device in which the patient has support on the abdomen is especially common and is called anterior. Designed for patients with no problems with holding their heads.
The second type is intended for people with a weakened spine and severe disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The verticalizer with back support (back) is additionally equipped with a mechanism for the gradual removal of a person from a lying position to a vertical one.
Multilevel devices allow the patient to occupy several positions - sedentary, vertical, recumbent, without changing the rehabilitation tool.
Static stand-ups are designed for those unable to move independently. Equipped with wheels designed to help caregivers for the patient in the movement of small distances in an upright position.
Mobile, on the contrary, is designed for independent movement in a standing position.
The mobile verticalizer allows not only to move, but also to train the muscles of the legs through the movement of levers with hands that are mechanically connected to the feet.
Proper selection of the device
Only a specialist doctor is able to give the right advice on choosing a verticalizer. For this, the patient must undergo an examination, which will allow the doctor to identify the main diseases, determine the type of device and the level of fixation of the body, physical capabilities and permissible loads.
If possible, the patient should also participate in the choice of funds, because only he can determine the degree of comfort of the proposed device. However, the main criteria should be the doctor’s recommendations, as the device is designed to correct existing problems, and this can cause additional discomfort.
The right size
The following parameters can help you choose the size of your device:
- weight and height,
- foot length
- hip width
- chest volume
- distance from foot to lower leg and from lower leg to thigh on both legs.
It is also important to measure the distance from the foot to the chest. All measurements should be made in clothing comfortable for the patient and familiar shoes. If the child wears special orthopedic shoes, then measurements and fitting should be done in it. How to make the measurements, you should consult your doctor, who will help determine the possible difficulties of measurement.
Important to remember!
Before each use, it is worth checking carefully the serviceability of all the latches, as well as the reliability of the brakes.
The greater the angle of inclination of the verticalizer, the greater the load on the legs and spine. That is why it is unacceptable to start training immediately from 90 °, and the time of the first training should not exceed 2-3 minutes.
The verticalizer is installed only on a horizontal surface without possible inclinations. If movement on the device is not expected, it must be put on the brake.
Children's verticalizers for patients with cerebral palsy
Since the child will continue to spend a lot of time in this device, the choice should fall on the support-verticalizers for children with cerebral palsy, equipped with tables with side limiters, with the ability to change the angle of the table.
If a child experiences epilepsy attacks or shows a convulsive readiness, it is worth softening all hard edges with a dense material.
It is worth noting that for children suffering from cerebral palsy, a large number of models of verticalizers have been released. Some manufacturers give their product the appearance of an animal, car, dinosaur, so that the treatment of a small patient takes an element of the game. If there are funds in the selection, there will be no problems.
Shifu Ocean Verticalizer
For example, the Shifu Ocean verticalizer for children with cerebral palsy is a combined device in which a sick child can be fixed both with emphasis on the stomach and with support on the back. In addition, it has several levels of fixation adjustment, as well as a soft orthopedic base, which makes the device additionally comfortable.
This device has a removable table, which can be fixed both front and rear. Its position can also be adapted to the different needs of the child with special regulators.
This line of products for children provides three sizes, taking into account the growth of the patient.
Verticalizer Robin
Robin devices are rear support verticalizers for children with cerebral palsy and are presented in two sizes for the age groups of 3-14 years. It is considered a compact device suitable for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy. It has several supports, which, thanks to their ergonomic shapes, make it possible to surround the child with an individual comfortable frame on all sides and give the body a stable upright position. The support frame is equipped with an angle adjustment.
At the bottom of the device there are sandals with fasteners, the angle of which can be adjusted according to the physiological characteristics of the small patient. With the help of a low footrest, the stroller quickly becomes an upright for children with cerebral palsy. If the child is not able to control his body or suffers from convulsive readiness, a strong wide belt is provided for him.
The Robin verticalizer for children with cerebral palsy is characterized by quick and easy adjustment. It folds effortlessly and is compactly stored. A removable table is not included in the package, it must be purchased separately.
How to make a do-it-yourself verticalizer
Despite all the positive aspects of this device, it has a significant drawback - the price. New verticalizers for children with cerebral palsy cost from 25,000 rubles, many, slightly more equipped, step over the threshold of 100,000 rubles. You can buy the unit from your hands after a child who has grown out of the device, but it is worth noting that each patient with cerebral palsy has its own deviation characteristics, it will take a very long time to look for or take what is and fit in size.
And you can immediately decide and make a verticalizer for a child with cerebral palsy with their own hands. At the same time, you still have to spend money on materials and a professional engineering drawing.
However, these costs will still be many times less than the purchase of a finished device. First, decide what material the support will be made of. Based on the selected material, contact an engineer who will prepare a professional drawing of the device according to individual standards. Next, you should consult a doctor for possible amendments and recommendations that will be given according to the physiological characteristics of the child.
If you have the skills to work with the selected material, you can proceed to self-assembly. If there are no such skills, you should consult a specialist.
Do not forget that in addition to the verticalizer itself for a child with cerebral palsy, softening casing and clamps with adjustment are needed. For this work, it is also worth using quality material that will not create additional problems. Sheathing should not be too soft, and the fastening straps are rigid. Foam and cotton wool is not recommended in this case, as well as polyurethane foam, although these are the cheapest materials used in orthopedic mattresses. Cotton wool tends to fall off, foam spills and deforms, polyurethane foam gains moisture, but it is almost impossible to dry it.
A more or less suitable material, both in terms of properties and budget constraints, is latex. For cladding, it is also worth choosing a hypoallergenic material. It should be strong enough, but not rough in structure. You can use cotton teak. Belts can be purchased as a set in medical products or assembled by yourself. As a rule, cordon-kapron tape is used in their manufacture, which can be purchased at a household goods store or sewing stores. They are fastened to each other with special, suitable sized clamps.
Photos of verticalizers for children with cerebral palsy are presented in this article.