Wheelchair Lateral Support Guide

Wheelchair Lateral Support

Lateral trunk supports are also known as laterals, lateral supports, lateral thoracic supports, and trunk stabilizers. They are rectangular or square shaped devices that mount to the back posts of the wheelchair and rest against the user's trunk. Most often they are used in pairs, one on each side of the trunk.

Laterals come in a number of different sizes and padding densities. Size and shape will vary depending on manufacturer and style. The most common styles are planar (flat) or contoured (shaped). The amount of contouring may also vary between styles and manufacturers. Many models can be ordered with hardware that allows the lateral to swing away from the user and out of the way. This makes getting in and out of the chair much easier. Laterals are available from the wheelchair manufacturer or can be purchased from a number of aftermarket sources.

These positioning accessories are most often used to increase the user's trunk stability and balance. They can also serve as a tactile reminder. When the user comes in contact with the device they know that they are out of position and can adjust their position or request assistance. Laterals are sometimes used in an effort to control spinal scoliosis ("S" curve of the spine). This tactic may work in those cases were the scoliosis is flexible and can easily be reduced. In cases where the scoliosis is rigid, laterals may cause discomfort and tissue damage (wounds). This is especially true if the lateral is placed on the apex (high point) of the spinal curvature. That brings us nicely to the issue of placement.

If the trunk can be placed in an upright neutral sitting position, but the user can not maintain this position, then the laterals can be placed opposite each other on each side of the trunk. This will add the needed external support to hold the user in position. Many users and professionals think that the laterals have to be placed exactly opposite each other on the trunk. This is not true, and in certain cases may result in poor outcomes and in discomfort to the user. In those cases where you are dealing with a spinal curvature you need to consider uneven or oblique placement of the laterals. One lateral should be placed just under the apex of the spinal curve. The second lateral should be placed on the opposite side of the trunk and above the opposing one. This will set up the proper dynamics for reducing the curve (if flexible) and supporting the trunk.

In order to work well these devices must make contact with the trunk. If they do not make contact with the user there will be no support. If they are too tight, the user may have a problem with breathing. If they are placed too low, support is lost and the trunk may "lean" over the laterals. If placed too high they may impinge on the axilla (armpit) and cause damage to the brachial plexus, irritate the surrounding skin, and restrict shoulder and arm movement.

Advantages of Lateral Support

  • Aids in trunk support and stability.
  • Improves balance and posture.
  • Helps maintain the user in a functional position.
  • Prevents further postural decay.
  • Diminishes the need for repetitive repositioning of the user during the day.
  • Improves appearance.

Disadvantages of Lateral Support

  • If placed too low they are ineffective.
  • If placed too high they may irritate axilla, brachial plexus, surrounding tissue, and limit shoulder and arm movement.
  • May be difficult to mount to backrest in proper location.
  • When the pad is under pressure the swing-away release may get stubborn.
  • Even contact of the entire pad against the body is difficult to realize since there are no adjustments for angling the pad in or out.
  • If the user changes position the laterals will most likely no longer be aligned correctly.
  • They add another layer of complexity to the entire unit.

Our service area covers most of Southern California including Los Angeles and surrounding cities.
To see a full list of cities covered in our service area please .

Agoura Hills
Alhambra
Altadena
Arcadia
Arleta
Artesia
Avalon
Azusa
Baldwin Park
Bel Air
Bell
Bell Gardens
Bellflower
Beverly Hills
Bradbury
Brentwood
Burbank
Cahuenga Pass
Calabasas
Camarillo
Canoga Park
Carson
Cerritos
Chatsworth
Claremont
Commerce
Compton
Covina
Cudahy
Culver City
Diamond Bar
Downey
Duarte
Eagle Rock
El Monte
El Segundo
Encino
Gardena
Glendale
Glendora
Granada Hills
Hawaiian Gardens
Hawthorne
Hermosa Beach
Hidden Hills
Huntington Park
Industry
Inglewood
Irwindale
Kagel Canyon
La Canada
La Crescenta
La Habra Heights
La Mirada
La Puente
La Tuna Canyon
La Verne
Lake Balboa
Lake View Terrace
Lakewood
Lancaster
Lawndale
Lomita
Long Beach
Los Angeles
Lynwood
Malibu
Manhattan Beach
Marina Del Rey
Maywood
Mission Hills
Monrovia
Montebello
Monterey Park
Montrose
NoHo Arts District
North Hills
North Hollywood
Northridge
Norwalk
Oak Park
Olive View
Oxnard
Pacific Palisades
Pacoima
Palmdale
Palos Verdes
Panorama City
Paramount
Pasadena
Pico Rivera
Pomona
Porter Ranch
Redondo Beach
Reseda
Rolling Hills
Rosemead
San Dimas
San Fernando
San Gabriel
San Marino
Santa Barbara
Santa Clarita
Santa Fe Springs
Santa Monica
Sepulveda
Shadow Hills
Sherman Oaks
Sierra Madre
Signal Hill
Simi Valley
South El Monte
South Gate
South Pasadena
Stonehurst
Studio City
Sun Valley
Sunland
Sylmar
Tarzana
Temple City
Thousand Oaks
Toluca Lake
Toluca Woods
Topanga
Torrance
Tujunga
Valencia
Valley Glen
Valley Village
Van Nuys
Ventura
Vernon
Walnut
Warner Center
West Covina
West Hills
West Hollywood
West Toluca
Westlake Village
Westwood
Whittier
Winnetka
Woodland Hills