What is the “Hammock” effect?

There are many reasons why you might find yourself in the need of a wheelchair. If you do, it’s important that you consult a professional. They will help you to choose the best chair for your condition, daily indoor or outdoor use, third-party transportation and personal use.

A professional will always suggest a cushion to accompany the chair. You may see the chair and think that it already has a seat, why do you need a cushion too? Well, your healthcare professional has a very good reason for recommending a cushion, and here’s why.

After using the chair for a while, the weight and resistance of the material will gradually reduce the rigidity of the chair. This will make sitting in the chair uncomfortable. You can tell when this happens because the seat sling will dip in the middle. This is known as the "Hammock" effect. You try to solve it by placing a cushion from home, blankets, or some other type of foam in the space, but that isn’t a solution to the problem.

This collapse in the middle has many long-term consequences associated with it. The thighs start to press together creating pain and pressure in the bones of the pelvis. In addition, the knees start to press together, which can cause strain on these points as well. The spine begins to flex, and the body begins to move forward, causing additional pressure on the pelvis and friction in the buttocks, thighs and spine.

If these problems are not resolved, they can lead us to dreaded pressure ulcers or deformities in the spine and pelvis that are sometimes irreversible. On top of the health concerns, if the sling gets to this point, it’s no longer resolved by simply using a cushion. It must be replaced.

This can easily be avoided by purchasing a cushion initially along with the wheelchair. That’s why our Coyote Wheelchair (Corsac in Argentina & Chile) comes with a JAY cushion that’s a soft foam with a slight contour for patients with risk of skin lesions. With Coyote, the cushion isn’t an additional option, it’s part of the chair. If you are looking for a cushion that suits your needs, our team of professionals is always available!

A good cushion is as important as a good chair. You get both at once with Coyote.