Written By: Aline Browning
If you or someone you love is suffering from neuropathy, an UltraComfort power lift recliner is the best choice to aide in treatment and relief.
According to a Google review, Amy H. wrote, “This chair has helped my mother-in-law immensely as her neuropathy has made it hard for her to use her feet/legs. Using the lift component has made it much easier for her to get out of the chair when she needs to. I also love how the controller has a USB port at the top so she can charge her devices right there – genius since her mobility is so limited. The chair is also sized correctly for her…Highly recommend this product.”
Neuropathy is a form of nerve damage that causes symptoms such as numbness, muscle weakness, burning and tingling in the hands and feet, and loss of balance. Patients with peripheral neuropathy lose sensation in their feet, making them more prone to injury. UC San Diego Health stated,” Loss of sensation makes falls much more likely.” Loss of sensation is usually precluded by tremendous nerve pain and tingling. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “It is estimated that around 60%-70% of individuals with Diabetes also have peripheral neuropathy. About 25%-30% of Americans are estimated to have it.”
The main obstacle that neuropathy presents is loss of balance, which can lead to falls and broken bones. “In a study of more than 500 women with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), 45% reported numbness in their hands and feet. These women had an altered gait pattern and were twice as likely to fall,” according to an article by the National Cancer Institute.
The sit-to-stand transition is seen as one of the most physically demanding motor functions needed to maintain our independence and that motor function can be impeded by the muscle weakness associated with peripheral neuropathy which can increase the risk for falling. Richard Bohanon from the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture stated, “The maneuver is relatively demanding from a neuromuscular perspective) and is affected negatively by age and pathology.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Symptoms can include: Numbness or reduced ability to feel pain or temperature changes
- Tingling or burning feeling
- Sharp pains or cramps
- Muscle weakness
- Extreme sensitivity to touch — for some people, even a bedsheet’s weight can be painful
- Serious foot problems, such as ulcers, infections, and bone and joint damage
UltraComfort’s lift chairs are specially made to have the backrest open slowly as the chair rises to provide supportive lift assistance that allows the user to gently exit the chair when they are ready.
As neuropathy progresses, wound care is also inevitable as patients have an increased risk for neuropathic ulcers and broken bones from toe-stubbing and falls. Diabetes is not the only cause of peripheral neuropathy. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Health conditions that cause peripheral neuropathy can include:
- Autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, Guillain-Barre syndrome, vasculitis, etc.
- Infections
- Inherited disorders
- Tumors
- Bone Marrow disorders
- Hypothyroidism
Due to nerve damage, many individuals living with peripheral neuropathy often are unable to tell when they have injured their foot be it a broken toe stubbed on a coffee table or a cut from a sharp object. Some aren’t able to tell until they are already dealing with an infection. It is highly recommended by the medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic that, “people living with diabetes (or their caregivers) inspect their feet daily for infections and wounds and never go barefoot.”
Another way UltraComfort 5-Zone Power Lift Recliners with our patented Eclipse positioning can benefit the caregiver and patient alike is providing better accessibility to the feet to aid in wound care. Neuropathic ulcers can generally occur under the bottom of the feet and debridement techniques are often recommended to treat them. This positioning offers a safe and comfortable means for the caregiver to access and treat the ulcers. While the average lift chair footboard may raise to approximately 21-22” and generally run parallel to the floor, the 5th zone that activates Eclipse positioning raises the front of the chair, which puts the feet at an angle that is highly visible and accessible.
According to Mizisin, Department of Pathology (Neuropathology), University of California, “Nerve edema is a common response to the nerve injury seen in many peripheral neuropathies and is an important component of Wallerian degeneration.” Edema is swelling caused by a build-up of fluids around the nerves. In this case, a doctor may recommend a variety of mechanical treatments such as leg elevation, massage, compression, movement, and other measures. For leg elevation, UltraComfort lift chairs offer the most ergonomic positions to comfortably raise the feet above the heart. Be sure to discuss with your doctor which options are right for you.
UltraComfort power lift recliners with 5-Zone Technology make regular foot inspections much easier for caregivers because their exclusively patented positioning technology provides a 15° ergonomic tilt after the footboard is raised, making feet visible and accessible for inspection and for dressing wounds. With so many positioning possibilities, it can be a great tool to ease the physical strain of being a caregiver and provide a useful station to offer care such as toenail trimming, foot moisturizing, or other recommended care. Whether you require leg elevation for foot inspection, or for longer use like elevation for drainage, UltraComfort power lift recliners offer better leg elevation than any other power lift recliner around. Our 5-Zone models contain five Comfort Zones so that you can reposition easily for lasting comfort.
These are just a few ways that lift chairs can help make life easier for those suffering from the long-term effects of peripheral neuropathy. By providing assistance with balance, relief of pressure points, and an ergonomic aid for wound care associated with neuropathic ulcers, UltraComfort lift chairs can enrich the lifestyles of their owners.
For more resources related to foot care and neuropathic ulcers please visit:
https://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/footcare/prevention
To find support groups in your area, you can email the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy:
info@tffpn.org
https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2016/peripheral-neuropathy-falls
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17169-foot-and-toe-ulcers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2195637/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4395748/
https://myhealth.ucsd.edu/3,40378
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