Alternative to a Standing Wheelchair: The Tek RMD
Are you looking for an alternative to a standing wheelchair in the UK? This article about the Tek RMD might be of interest.
Standing is an essential human function that we so often take for granted until something challenges our ability to do it. Standing allows us to explore and interact with our environment and so has a social purpose but It is also good for our health. For individuals with mobility impairments, or lower limb paralysis, standing regularly and safely can be a challenge.
A standing frame is a solution to this need for regular standing but it’s not really a complete solution to what we want. A standing wheelchair sounds a lot better because it combines two things; an opportunity to both stand and move around in our environment. As we will see, every solution will mean making compromises. The best solution for an individual case will depend very much on the goals and expectations and the ability of the solution to contribute to long term health.
Fortunately, with advances in assistive technology, standing is now possible for many people, even those who cannot stand on their own. Many products - both simple and complex exist to help people stand despite their disability.
Important Considerations
Many times in the past, people find it hard to embrace a standing regime, due to the boredom of just having to 'stand there'. What if technology existed that allowed safe standing with great posture to be combined with moving around?
One such technology product is the Tek RMD, a robotic mobilisation device designed to help individuals with mobility impairments stand and move around with ease in their environments. We will described this later in the article but let's start with some general considerations
We think it is important to consider your personal situation, social aspirations and requirements. No device will meet 100% of every client's needs. We recommend getting guidance from an OT who can help you look more broadly at your home environment and your aspirations. These are some of the features to consider
Can the product allow you to achieve a good standing posture?
What do we mean by good posture? typically this means fully upright with the trunk, hip, knees and ankles aligned so that the line of action of the centre of mass passes through each joint below it. This balanced posture is best able to tolerate the joint and tissue loads generated by standing. This is the posture that is the aim with the Tek RMD. It allows users to be hands free from the product and therefore able to reach that item on the top shelf and interact freely with their environment. This is not possible with most standing wheelchairs because for stability they must keep the user inclined back - not a posture that can be sustained for too long. A standing frame that it is correctly setup should allow a good standing posture at the very least. Some standing frames can be tricky to access and get safely into a standing posture. The new electric lifter version of the Tek RMD has made it much easier to move from sitting to standing at will with no significant user effort needed.
Easy transfers on and off?
Transferring on and off a product is something shaped by any associated equipment available plus the users ability to physically cooperate with transfers. With the Tek RMD it is boarded from the back. Some people can transfer directly from a wheelchair but this is rare. It requires a fit and strong user and a wheelchair with removable footplates. We prefer users to have a high adjustable bed or plinth at home as this is by far the easiest to use. Fundamentally, an OT should generally be able to advise on the safe and effective methods of transfer for a particular product. This issue should be considered carefully for each individual case.
Is the home environment suitable for the product?
Another way of saying this is - does the product fit. Some standing frames are notorious for taking up a lot of room space. Wheelchairs must obviously be able to move between rooms to be of use and door thresholds and other obstacles can be a problem.
The Tek RMD is narrower and shorter than a wheelchair so should not present any additional challenge to moving around. We know clients who avoided having to redesign their kitchen for wheelchair use by using the Tek RMD. In all cases, an open plan environment is going to make it easier to use any product and again, an OT should be able to advise on any adaptations that might be useful at home.
Go outdoors?
The ability to go outdoors needs some qualification. Do you just want to go onto your own patio or paved areas of the garden? Or do you imagine tackling all-terrain style some of the local environment. There are some novel wheelchairs for outdoor use but they will not provide the best solution for standing. The Tek RMD now can come with an outdoor wheel kit but certainly cannot be described as an 'all-terrain' solution.
The Importance of Standing
You can walk a dog with the Tek RMD - First get the dog!
Standing offers numerous benefits for individuals with mobility impairments. These benefits include improved circulation, better bone health, muscle strength, and joint flexibility. Additionally, standing can help individuals maintain their independence and improve their overall quality of life. Wheelchairs can allow you to do many things but are not ideal when it comes to interacting with an everyday environment designed for people who can stand.
One of the most significant benefits of standing is improved circulation. When we are sitting all the time our blood vessels are ‘kinked’ and this will tend to impede peripheral blood flow. This can lead to oedema when our lower legs can seem to become ‘‘puffy” and swollen. When we stand, blood flows more freely throughout our bodies, delivering oxygen and nutrients to our muscles and organs. This increased circulation can help prevent blood clots, and even improve digestion, bowel and bladder function and boost immune function.
Standing also helps to maintain bone health. Weight-bearing activities, such as standing, help to stimulate bone strength and help prevent osteoporosis. By standing regularly, individuals with mobility impairments such as a spinal cord injury can help maintain their bone density and reduce the risk of fractures.
For some persons with a spinal cord injury, sitting creates a heightened risk of pressure ulcers so relieving such pressure by standing is never a bad thing.
Depending on the health condition, another benefit of regular standing is improved muscle strength. When we stand, our muscles must constantly work to maintain our balance, limb alignment and support our weight. This constant effort helps to strengthen our muscles, particularly those in our legs and core. Of course, in the case of a complete spinal cord injury or total lower limb paralysis, assistive technology must provide the support that is needed to remain upright.
Finally, standing can help improve joint mobility and flexibility. When we move to stand, we put our joints through a full range of motion, which helps to maintain flexibility and prevent joint stiffness. Sometimes, when we must rely on wheelchairs our limbs can lose their range of motion over time. So-called contractures can prevent the hips or knees from fully straightening which can present problems for future rehabilitation or block opportunities to stand in the future.
You can stand at the hobb with the Tek RMD
The Tek RMD and Standing
For individuals with mobility impairments, standing and then moving around can be a challenge. However, with the Tek RMD, standing along with moving is now possible in many cases.
The Tek RMD is a robotic mobilisation device that allows individuals to stand and move around with ease, both indoors and outdoors. Of course, like any medical device, there are indications and contraindications for use and these must be checked carefully with safety and effectiveness in mind.
The Tek RMD joystick and controls
The Tek RMD is designed to be easy to use. From the mobility point of view It is operated using a joystick, which allows users to control the device's movement, direction and speed.
To move from sitting to standing, or vice versa, the user must operate a lever that activates an electric motor and this is allows the top section of the Tek RMD to pivot and bring the user smoothly to a standing position. The user is held safely, whether sitting, standing or anywhere in-between by a broad cushion, thick knee pads and foot holders.
A significant benefit of the Tek RMD is that it can be used both indoors and outdoors (with the optional outdoor wheels). The device's compact size (it is narrower and shorter than a wheelchair) allows it to navigate tight spaces, such as doorways and narrow hallways. Additionally, when equipped with the outdoor wheels the device's all-terrain wheels make it easy to navigate outdoor terrain, such as gravel or grass. Of course, you won’t be able to scale mountains, but you will be able to do more than just stand indoors.
The Tek RMD is also designed to be comfortable for users. The Tek RMD should be setup to suit the stature of the individual user. This allows users to find the most comfortable and effective position for standing. Additionally, the device's cushion, shin pads and footrests are designed to support the user in the best possible position ensuring that they can stand for extended periods safely.
How do I get to try the Tek RMD?
The Tek RMD in standard trim on the left and with outdoor wheels on the right
The first step is obviously to get in touch - either you as a potential user or your professional advisor can reach out and ask about a demonstration. In many cases, we will also want to know about equipment you already have at home and about your health status. This is because to get the best out of the Tek RMD some potential users may need to use a particular method of transfer to get on and off the Tek RMD. So for example, if you have a profile bed or height adjustable plynth it is useful for us to know that. All too often we meet people who have lots of equipment bought at different times that does not work well together. If we know what resources you have we are in the best position to advise how to best deploy the Tek RMD
As we mentioned above, the Tek RMD will not be suitable for everyone - we will want to ask about things that might limit your use of the product or even make it unsafe. We will point you to a secure webform to full in, offer you a quote and discuss any concerns.
We are anticipating hosting a series of roadshows in different parts of the country so this may be offered rather than a home demonstration.
Conclusion
Standing is an essential human function that offers numerous benefits for individuals with mobility impairments. However, standing can be a challenge for these individuals. Fortunately, with the Tek RMD, standing and moving in a health-giving way is now possible. The Tek RMD is a robotic mobilization device that allows individuals to stand and move around with ease, both indoors and outdoors. The device's compact size, all-terrain wheels, and comfortable design make it an ideal solution for individuals with mobility impairments who want to stand and move around independently. For example, by using the Tek RMD, individuals with spinal cord injuries can experience all of the benefits that standing has to offer.
Get in touch if you have questions, would like a demonstration or a quote.