Last post Tue, May 20 2008 7:53 PM by jplambert86. 18 replies.
I'm a 7th year quad with a gel cushion. Due to my own stupidity, I developed an open sore on my left rear cheek. I'm in need of a new cushion and the wound care nurses are leaning towards a ROHO cushion. I'm completely independent and they keep mentioning, "if you have someone who can help you" in regards to the ROHO. I need to hear from people who have had ROHOs or both. What are some cons to ROHOs? Maintenance, difficulties with checking for correct air pressure, pumping problems, cleaning after a leak, and anything I may not be thinking of. What are some benifits?
I am a T-10 SCI and I have tried gel cushions and I do not like them, plus they get stiff in the cold (that is what most people who have them have complained about to me). I use a 4" ROHO everyday and a 2" for basketball. I also keep a foam cushion in the trunk of my car just in case but I have not had to use it yet (knock on wood). For over 3 years I have been using a ROHO and I have not had any maintence problems or leaks yet (knocking again). I keep it over inflated according to the docs but it is what fits me the best. Good Luck
I won a high profile ROHO at a swim meet and tried to make the switch from Stimulite but I couldn't ever get my balance feeling right on the high air bubbles...I'm sure lower ones are completely difference but it is something to consider if you make the switch from gel to air. As far as cleaning and leaks though-seems to be a breeze. My boyfriend used them for years and had very few problems. I can't really think of why they'd require help from others anymore than another cushion might.
For years I was having trouble with my cushion and everyone was recommending the ROHO. What prevented me from making the switch was my concern about getting a leak if I am many miles from home, as I frequently am. Apart from having problems with my skin, I was beginning to also get skeletal or orthopedic discomfort. I found that I could barely sit up for more than four or five hours. My local vendor finally suggested that I try a new product which is in direct competition with ROHO cushion and the product is called Star Lock.
The Star Lock is also based on air pressure, but there are two different valves that control how the air is distributed through the cushion. Rather than getting a leak and losing pressure in either the whole cushion, or one quadrant, with the Star lock, each 2 inch cell is independent from the others. This was the clincher for me! If I sprung a leak, it would only remain in that one cell. I can live with that type of risk exposure. As I think about it, this technology should also address problems associated with the balance on a ROHO.
Although it is a little more expensive than the ROHO cushion, I would highly recommend it. I am now back to my 12 to 15 hour days in the chair. When I first sat on it, I immediately knew that this was the solution. This is beginning to sound like one of those MasterCard commercials "The price of a comfortable ass: Priceless".
I have high profile ROHO's in both of my chairs. I had sores before them and none caused by them since I got them. The air pads seem to change with me easier so that sores are not developing and also have a chance to heal. I hear what is being said about balance on the air cushion and would recommend using the 2" pad if you have balance problems. My rehab person asked me how I got past all of the sores, and I attribute it to the ROHO. You can get the quad version and that way have a lot more stability.
Impact Gel in Melrose, Wi. has a slim gel pad that I use for horseback riding. It gives me the ability to be in the saddle for about 4 hours at a time. I really like that pad. I use that same gel pad for driving long distances. They also make a gel pad for a chair, but I like my ROHO's better. I just cannot get comfortable in the chair pad they have.
I had a gel cushion for a long time, and was never comfortable. I had sores and there was simply not enough "cushion" to prevent pain. I had many of your fears regarding the Roho, and none of them have matrialized in the seven years I have used the cushions. It is very comfortable for me. It sometimes needs to be repumped, but not often. I do not require more assistance than with any other cushion. However, I have not tried the cushion wheels4law mentions, and that might be better. My cushion has never sprung a leak, and I traveled with a pump and patches for years in the fear that it would, but perhaps the added assurance would be safer. The cover over the bubbles keeps it clean. In any event, I love my Roho.
For neqrly seven years I have sat on a Varilite Evolution which is gel and air. Not one problem or sore, just wore out a couple of them. Thoroughly satisfied hiney, thank you very much.
You may be a PWD if can explain autonomic dysrelexia in one breath to an AB.
If you inflat the ROHO to the pressure it is suppose to be at (and do not over inflate it like I do) you do not actually need the pump. You can blow it up with just your mouth, like a beach ball or something. Just thought I would pass that on...
I used a gel cushion for about 5 years after my SCI and developed sores and endured 2 decubidus operations. I made the switch to high profile 4" ROHO and haven't been back to a hospital since. I carry a pump in my backpack in case of slow leaks and a spare cushion if I'm on the road and not close to home. Keep them inflated to the right pressure and you shouldn't have many problems. The only time I feel off balance is when the cushion is overinflated.
They come with patch kits and pumps so the only big forseeable problem is if a major tear happens. So there's another good reason for keeping the cutlery out of your back pocket.
its easy to wash easy to patch easy to air up in reagrds to air pressure youu don't want to blow it all the way up just enough to stick your hand underneath your butt or waht feels comfortable to you but too much air can be a problem washing just soap and water and leat air dry and the cover same thing if you want it to dry faster take a towel between each row and column
thx Mark. That's an important element in my decision.
I am quite sure that you have already made your decision and purchased your new cushion, based on the date of your posting. However, I must add my two cents for you and anyone else that are questioning what cushion is best for prevention of pressure sores or life after pressure soars.
Recently, I just healed up after having two ulcers on my buttocks and one one my hip, all of which were stage-four, Due to the severity of my sores, I had penty of time to research the best cushions for my situation. For starters, I recommend everyone that presently owns "gel" cushions to contact their local durable goods provider for assistance in replacing your cushion. My personal opinion is, "Gel cushions are a user's worst nightmare and a waste of your money!" Because my sores required me to stay in a nursing home, I could not use my insurance to purchase a therapuetic cushion for my needs. Instead, I had no choice but to use a facility provided Gel cushion while up in my chair for an hour of therapy. This Gel cushion was counter-productive towards every measure of healing I had achieved through the wound-vac. Please just take my word and stear clear from Gel cushions and replace them if you have them, because you are on course to getting a break down. I am from the old school of skin education, because I have been paralyzed for twenty-four years. The old school teaching was that ROHO was your best friend should you ever get a break down or be at risk! Therefore, I had performed a search on the Internet in an attempt to find an affordable, out of pocket, ROHO. Before I tell you what I found through my search, I must inform you of personal problems with my past use of the ROHO cushion. I am a C-6 level, quadriplegic with full sensation from head to toe. I found that ROHO cushions are not a quads best friend when it comes to sitting balance. It is very easy to lose your balance while doing your everyday, ordinary task because you do not have a steady base to sit on. Furthermore, it is a weird science that you must perform when receiveing help putting air into your cushion. Naturally, you want a soft bedded area under your boney areas of your buttocks, but you can not firm up the other sitting areas of the cushion. I ended up getting an apparent slow air leak, without any warning. By late afternoon, I was practically bottomed out and had to call and request a family member take off from work and come get me. I missed out on my remaining college courses for the day and my brother lost out on (an unknown to me number of) hours pay. Due to my sores, I had no known alternative, but to find an affordable ROHO. However, through my search I learned of a new alternative cushion for my needs, the "Varilite!" Tada! I heard this music in my ears as I read the imformation about this cushion. This cushion is exactly what I was in need of for my sores and life after they healed. Please visit: www.varilite.com and research the best cushion for your individual needs from preventing breakdown through life after it is healed! I will allow the Varilite website to do all the speaking for why I recommend this cushion over all others. Because I have recovered from my stage-four pressure ulcers, and want to live as long as possible up in my chair and not bed-bound, I am now a user of the Varilite Evolution PSV. This cushion has truly been the answer to all my prayers! Please do not think I am a representative or salesman for the Varilite company. I assure you that I am a user and this cushion has changed my life and met my specific needs. However, my needs are universal and you willl find that one of the Varilite cushions will meet all of your needs! Once you completed your research of the different Varilite cushions, contact your doctor or seating therapist for a prescription. After doing so, get a hold of your durable equipment provider and place your order.
Happy sitting!!!,
whiskeyman1130
