Theresa F. Berner, OTR/L, ATP
When an injury or a medical condition causes you to need a wheelchair to function, it can be challenging to identify the one that best suits your needs and goals. Physical medicine and rehabilitation experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, can help you find a device that allows you to comfortably live your life to the fullest potential.
Our award-winning rehabilitation services include the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic, which provides you with the most personalized and comprehensive care as you make decisions about your wheelchair, both now and as your condition changes in the future.
What is the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic?
A device that maximizes comfort, safety and mobility is a game changer for those who depend on wheelchairs. With the help of a personalized assessment from experts at the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic, people can access a customized chair that fits their needs, condition and abilities.
Wheelchair and mobility specialists at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center work closely with each person to improve their mobility, productivity, comfort and quality of life through their choice of wheelchair. Our therapists all hold certifications for Assisted Technology Professionals and have specialization in seating and positioning, meaning you’ll receive the best care and fit possible.
Who is a candidate for the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic?
A properly fitted wheelchair, scooter, transfer equipment device or transportation device can provide support, improve health and mobility, and promote independence. Ohio State can assist any person with a disability to improve their seating and mobility, if they require a wheelchair to get around.
We work with people needing new equipment for the first time as well as those needing input on existing equipment they use.
Services are commonly provided to those with these conditions:
- Brain injury
- Stroke
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuromuscular conditions, such as muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body movement and muscle coordination
- Spina bifida, a birth defect that can result in various severe disabilities
- Post-polio syndrome (physical disabilities following the initial polio infection)
- Pressure sores, damaged tissue caused by lack of blood flow due to pressure
- Developmental disabilities
Services offered by the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic
This clinic offers rehabilitation services to help at every stage of recovery from hospital care (inpatient services) to post-discharge care (outpatient services). Depending on your needs and the referring physician's orders, this clinic can provide:
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy
- Access to assistive technology specialists with expertise in seating and positioning
- Pressure mapping assessment to determine which wheelchair or equipment provides the most appropriate pressure relief
- Propulsion analysis to examine each push on the hand rim of a manual wheelchair
- Opportunities to experience a variety of equipment
- Wheelchair movement skills evaluation
- Wheelchair or seating recommendations for specialized wheelchairs (ultra-lightweight, bariatric, tilt-in-space), power wheelchairs and scooters
- Fitting adjustments and practice sessions when new equipment is delivered
- Patient education and training with our Wheelchair Skills Mobility Program
If you’re currently using your own mobility equipment, we can help with:
- Positioning issues or a wheelchair that no longer supports you properly
- Modifications to allow pressure sores to heal or to minimize the risk of recurrence
- Changes in your ability to move or walk that may require equipment adjustments
Learn more about mobility and assistive technologies
Assistive technologies in mobility are helping patients achieve freedom and independence. Hear more about the Assistive Technology Center at Ohio State.
What to expect in the Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic
Treatment begins with an evaluation by one of our doctors or advanced practice providers, who identify areas where assistive technology can improve safety, functional independence and comfort. Based on this initial encounter, you’ll receive a plan that clearly outlines the medical necessity for assistive technology.
From there, specially trained therapists will implement and customize equipment, and will train you to use the prescribed wheelchair or other assistive technology tool. Follow-up appointments at regular intervals will ensure the wheelchair continues to meet your needs, and that devices are replaced at appropriate intervals.
Your treatment team
Your care team evaluates you to create your wheelchair seating prescription. Then, we work with complex rehabilitation equipment suppliers to make sure your equipment meets your needs. Our team is specifically trained to select and customize wheelchairs to improve mobility and function. We follow the World Health Organization's guidelines for providing personalized wheelchairs. You’ll actively participate in the entire process, from the initial assessment and goal setting to the proper selection and training of mobility equipment.
Our team includes:
- Board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, who lead the team
- Rehabilitative Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Certified Assistive Technology Professionals (ATP), who specialize in seating and positioning
- RESNA-Certified Rehabilitation Engineering Technologists (RET), who specialize in providing assistive technology support
- Occupational therapists, who help improve independence, self-care and home management tasks
- Physical therapists, who help you achieve maximum strength, balance and mobility
- Rehabilitation engineers, who specialize in designing assistive technologies
- Complex rehabilitation equipment suppliers who help us obtain the correct equipment
How to schedule an appointment with the wheelchair clinic
It is ideal to have your physician refer you to the wheelchair clinic, so they can provide recent office notes and any medication lists to help us make the proper recommendations. However, the clinic does consider seeing people without a referral on a case-by-case basis. Call 614-366-9211 for an appointment.
Why choose Ohio State to help choose your wheelchair?
As the only clinic in Ohio exclusively staffed with Certified Assistive Technology Professionals, Ohio State’s Wheelchair Seating and Mobility Clinic helps you select and obtain seating that’s comfortable, contributes to your health and meets your lifestyle and mobility goals. Here’s why people choose Ohio State for seating and positioning help:
Personalized care: You’ll receive a personal evaluation and an individualized care plan to meet your needs and lead you toward your health goals. We help you learn the skills and techniques you need to improve your abilities at work, at home and in social settings.
Nation’s best: Ohio State’s rehabilitation programs consistently rank among the best in the nation. As an academic medical center, Ohio State offers comprehensive medical expertise, the most advanced technologies and treatment techniques, and innovative care backed by research knowledge.
- You’ll receive the most appropriate equipment available based on the recommendations of our team and accredited wheelchair suppliers.
- Our team of specialists helps you through the entire wheelchair and seating process. This includes determining the best equipment available, providing proper equipment fitting and adjustments, along with training patients on how to use the equipment.
- People benefit from our innovation and expertise in wheelchair positioning and seating.
- Our physicians and therapists are continuously researching new mobility solutions and presenting their findings at national and international seminars.
