In Chair Positioning Wedge for Upper Limbs.
- Thigh-Resting Design for Seated Upper Limb Support - the In Chair Positioning Wedge is designed to rest on the resident's thigh during seated use, with the arm positioned on the wedge surface for forearm and shoulder support; this thigh-resting configuration means the wedge moves with the resident as they shift position in the chair, maintaining the arm support relationship without requiring reclamping or repositioning; the wedge's contoured underside follows the natural thigh curve to remain stable during normal seated movement without a strap or additional fixing mechanism in standard use.
- For Residents with Reduced Upper Limb Strength or Mobility - residents with hemiplegia, upper motor neurone conditions, shoulder rotator cuff injury, or general upper limb weakness cannot maintain the arm in a supported position when seated without an external support surface; the armrests of standard chairs may not provide adequate forearm support at the correct height or angle, leaving the arm dependent (hanging down) and placing traction strain on the shoulder capsule; the wedge provides a correctly angled forearm support surface at the appropriate elevation for the individual resident on the specific chair in use.
- Viscoelastic Memory Foam for Adaptive Pressure Relief - the viscoelastic foam conforms to the shape of the forearm resting on the wedge, distributing the forearm's contact load across the foam surface and reducing the pressure at the bony prominences of the forearm (radius, ulna styloid processes) that would otherwise bear concentrated load on a firm surface; this is particularly relevant for residents with oedematous forearms where the swollen tissue is more sensitive to contact pressure.
- Non-Slip Base - Breathable Hygienic Cover - MDR Class I - NCL-P961F1HW - the non-slip base prevents the wedge from sliding on the thigh surface during use; the breathable easy-clean cover maintains hygiene at the arm contact surface and allows moisture vapour to escape from the forearm contact zone; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; occupational therapist assessment required; product code NCL-P961F1HW.
In Chair Positioning Wedge - Upper Limbs - Thigh-Resting Viscoelastic Foam - Non-Slip Base
The In Chair Positioning Wedge for Upper Limbs is a viscoelastic memory foam arm support that rests on the resident's thigh in seated use, providing forearm and shoulder support for residents with reduced upper limb strength or mobility. The contoured underside follows the thigh profile for stability during normal seated movement. Non-slip base. Breathable hygienic easy-clean cover. MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device. Occupational therapist assessment required. NCL-P961F1HW.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction | Viscoelastic memory foam |
| Placement Method | Rests on resident's thigh - contoured underside for stability |
| Cover | Breathable; hygienic; easy-clean |
| Base | Non-slip |
| Clinical Use | Seated upper limb support - all chair types |
| Indication | Reduced upper limb strength or mobility; shoulder offloading |
| Reference | NCL-P961F1HW |
| Regulatory Status | MDR 2017/745 Class I medical device |
Regulatory Compliance
The In Chair Positioning Wedge for Upper Limbs is a Class I medical device under MDR 2017/745. Clinical selection requires occupational therapist assessment confirming the seated upper limb support indication and the arm positioning protocol. The wedge configuration and any accompanying seated pressure care plan must be documented in the care plan. Equipment register records and MDR conformity documentation must be maintained for CQC Regulation 12 compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What clinical conditions benefit most from seated upper limb support with the In Chair Positioning Wedge?
The wedge provides most benefit for conditions that cause the arm to be dependent (unsupported and hanging at the side) during seated periods. The primary indication is shoulder subluxation in hemiplegia, where the paralysed upper limb's weight pulls the humeral head downward and partially out of the shallow glenoid socket, causing traction pain and potential joint damage; supporting the forearm at elbow height in a slightly elevated position reduces the traction force on the glenohumeral joint. Secondary indications include upper limb oedema, where the dependent limb position increases venous pressure in the hand and forearm and the elevated position reduces this; rotator cuff tendinopathy or impingement, where maintaining the arm in a slightly abducted and supported position reduces the impingement occurring at the subacromial space when the arm hangs at the side; and general upper limb fatigue in conditions such as multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease, where the energy required to maintain arm position during extended seated periods is excessive for the resident's available motor capacity. The occupational therapist must assess the specific shoulder and arm mechanics for each resident before prescribing the wedge, as the arm position it provides must correspond to the position that is therapeutically correct for the individual condition.
Does the In Chair Positioning Wedge affect the resident's ability to use the chair armrest?
The wedge rests on the resident's thigh rather than on the armrest or the chair seat, so it does not occupy the armrest or prevent the resident from using the armrest for other purposes such as pushing up to stand or stabilising during lateral movement. However, the wedge raises the forearm above the standard armrest level, which means the resident cannot simultaneously rest the arm on the armrest and on the wedge; the wedge effectively replaces the armrest as the arm support surface when in use. For residents who need the armrest for transfer assistance - pushing up from the chair - the care team must establish whether the resident can remove the wedge from their thigh independently before initiating a transfer, or whether carer assistance is required for wedge removal before transfers; this is particularly relevant for residents with bilateral upper limb involvement who may not be able to remove the wedge with their other hand. The transfer protocol for the specific resident must address wedge management as a component of the safe transfer procedure.
NCL-P961F1HW
- Thigh-Resting Design for Seated Upper Limb Support - the In Chair Positioning Wedge is designed to rest on the resident's thigh during seated use, with the arm positioned on the wedge surface for forearm and shoulder support; this thigh-resting configuration means the wedge moves with the resident as they shift position in the chair, maintaining the arm support relationship without requiring reclamping or repositioning; the wedge's contoured underside follows the natural thigh curve to remain stable during normal seated movement without a strap or additional fixing mechanism in standard use.
- For Residents with Reduced Upper Limb Strength or Mobility - residents with hemiplegia, upper motor neurone conditions, shoulder rotator cuff injury, or general upper limb weakness cannot maintain the arm in a supported position when seated without an external support surface; the armrests of standard chairs may not provide adequate forearm support at the correct height or angle, leaving the arm dependent (hanging down) and placing traction strain on the shoulder capsule; the wedge provides a correctly angled forearm support surface at the appropriate elevation for the individual resident on the specific chair in use.
- Viscoelastic Memory Foam for Adaptive Pressure Relief - the viscoelastic foam conforms to the shape of the forearm resting on the wedge, distributing the forearm's contact load across the foam surface and reducing the pressure at the bony prominences of the forearm (radius, ulna styloid processes) that would otherwise bear concentrated load on a firm surface; this is particularly relevant for residents with oedematous forearms where the swollen tissue is more sensitive to contact pressure.
- Non-Slip Base - Breathable Hygienic Cover - MDR Class I - NCL-P961F1HW - the non-slip base prevents the wedge from sliding on the thigh surface during use; the breathable easy-clean cover maintains hygiene at the arm contact surface and allows moisture vapour to escape from the forearm contact zone; MDR 2017/745 Class I positioning device; occupational therapist assessment required; product code NCL-P961F1HW.