Getting the right care, support, and rest during shoulder surgery recovery can be complex and challenging. Patients tend to struggle with limitations resulting from shoulder surgery, which further complicates their routine.
Lift chairs, as part of mobility furniture, supply crucial support. Patients benefit from the chair’s adjustable positions, which reduce strain on shoulder muscles and protect against overuse when lifting the arms.
Recovery from surgery for individuals with restricted movement can be seamless and comfortable if appropriate lift chairs are used. Today, we will discuss the impact of the chairs on recovery processes after surgery and the ability to optimize healing time to the affected shoulder.
What is a Lift Chair?
A lift chair is a type of recliner designed to help individuals with mobility issues sit down and stand up safely. Look, it is similar to any regular recliner but is equipped with a powered lifting mechanism that slightly tilts the seat and back forward. This makes movements effortless without causing any strain to the arms or shoulders. Power recline lift chairs offer seamless motorized adjustments, while the heavy-duty power recliners provide additional strength and reliable support.
How Lift Chairs Function?
The lift chair functions much like a recliner, but assists a user with sitting as well as standing with the aid of a lift mechanism. Power recline lift chairs provide effortless, motorized adjustments that alleviate shoulder and arm tension. The chair has a configurable recline mode, a footrest, and an armrest that help the patient attain comfort. This improves posture and assists in the recovery process while aiding therapeutic measures.
Now that we have covered the basics of what a lift chair is and its functions, let us look into its other components and how it assists in improving mobility post-surgery!
Basic Components of a Lift Chair
The lift chair components provide comfort, support, and functionality. Each attribute helps ease pain and promotes
mobility, particularly during post-surgery recovery.
- Seat: The seat is well-designed for even weight distribution. It features cushioning that
assists during extended use, alleviating shoulder tension and improving comfort during sitting or reclining.
- Lift Mechanism: Helps with smooth upward tilting. Assists patients with sitting and standing,
and enables them to use their arms less, which results in less shoulder strain.
- Recline: The adjustable backrest enhances personal comfort by helping patients assume positions
that reduce shoulder strain during recovery.
- Footrest: The footrest supports the legs while sitting and reclining, enhancing comfort and increasing circulation in the lower limbs during prolonged sitting.
Types of Lift Chairs
Different types of lift chairs serve different recovery needs. Considering the kind of recovery required and the surgery performed, it is also necessary to determine the appropriate lift chair for post-shoulder surgery recovery.
Manual vs Power Lift
Manual lift chairs use low-effort mechanisms, such as helping the user sit. It uses mechanical levers, while the powered lift chairs use electric motors to lift users effortlessly and reduce the strain on their shoulders. This, of course, saves their shoulders from possible injury and helps maintain their independence during the recovery phase.
Single Motor vs Multi or Multi Position
Single motor chairs only adjust the backrest and the footrest, while multi-motor chairs allow different adjustments to multiple sections. This added flexibility helps maintain comfort and offer proper support during the recovery from shoulder surgery.
Zero Gravity Models
These chairs reduce pressure on the shoulders and the spine and also keep the body in a more centered position. The zero gravity position lifts the back while it relaxes the spine and shoulders, helping to promote recovery, rest, and circulation.
Infinite Position Models
The infinite position power recliners become more beneficial as patients have control of the tilt angles. This allows them to have more comfort, which helps ease post-surgery pain. During the resting period, these patients are more likely to maintain proper posture without any strain or discomfort.
The Key Challenges Following Shoulder Surgery
The post-surgery recovery phase exposes the patients to numerous challenges, such as limited mobility and lifestyle
adjustments. Understanding the complexities that arise from surgery highlights the importance of heavy-duty power lift recliners in
keeping users safe and promoting healing.
- Immobilization and Restricted Movement: People recovering from shoulder surgeries experience
limited movement due to post-surgery precautions and the use of slings. Patients struggle to perform simple
tasks like standing, sitting, or adjusting their positions, emphasizing the need to choose a
mobility aid. This helps to prevent any overexertion, besides offering comfort and safety.
- Pain and Discomfort When Getting In and Out of Chairs and Beds : The normal seating involves
the use of an arm, which leads to discomfort, pain, and possible risk of injury. Grappling with these changes
increases discomfort that slows down recovery, creating a reliance on caregivers. The lift chairs assist the
patients in moving freely without any restrictions.
- Risk of Over-Straining the Shoulder When Sitting or Standing Incorrectly: Any inappropriate
technique can cause a lot of damage to the healing tissue, thereby slowing down recovery. Patients may
unknowingly apply more force on their shoulder while standing or sitting, and this directs us to the importance
of these assistive devices.
- Sleep Disturbance and Difficulty Finding a Comfortable Resting Position: The inflamed shoulder often causes discomfort. The limited positions make sleep impossible, thereby slowing down recovery. The adjustable seating offers adequate support that reduces pressure points, helping patients to rest effortlessly and promoting their overall well-being.
How Lift Chairs Support Shoulder Surgery Recovery
Following shoulder surgery, top lift chairs offer practical solutions to some of the obstacles patients face. They offer increased comfort, safety, and independence while facilitating the healing process and minimizing strain on delicate muscles.
Reduces Strain on Shoulders and Arms
With most lifts being motorized in nature, patients can use less effort in juggling or lifting their arms above their heads. This means patients use much less of their arm muscles, which helps with healing and eliminates complications after surgery.
Helps With Sitting and Standing
Lift chairs help patients regain their confidence, enabling them to break free from their mobility restrictions. Assistance with injury and muscle strain will also benefit the patient using the lift chairs.
Encourages Independence
Patients do not need constant assistance. Doing activities independently helps restore confidence, and the lift chairs ease the process, keeping the arm active in a rest position.
Improves Comfort With Adjustable Positions
Patients most often have the confidence to roam freely and perform minor exercises with ease. With the recline and footrest feature, patients can set any position that is most relaxing for them to ease the shoulder pain.
Promotes Better Circulation
Keeps the swelling down, boosts the healing of the tissues, and improves the circulation to the legs. Better circulation helps the recovery process and also prevents muscle stiffness.
Supports Safe Recovery
Supported movement helps prevent the risk of a strain or other injuries. During the recovery process, the shoulders stay protected while patients can move easily and shift through the various positions.
Hands-Free Operation
The preset positions and remote controls restrict shoulder movement during adjustments. This alleviates pain while supporting better movement, helping patients to heal safely without any strain.
Enhances Rest and Sleep Quality
With the arms supported and the shoulder in a relaxed position, the patient can fall asleep more easily, reducing body tension. Having more rest helps with tissue repair, therefore enabling a faster recovery and improving the overall quality of life post-surgery.
Choosing the Right Lift Chair for Shoulder Surgery Recovery
When choosing
a lift chair, the most important aspects to consider are safety, comfort, and functions that can be
adjusted. Defining important attributes makes it easier to recover without putting strain on the shoulders and makes
it easier to move.
- Adjustable Recline and Footrest: Custom comfort is achieved through the ability to set multiple
recline angles and extended footrests. While it permits patients to sit safely, their shoulders and circulation
are maintained during prolonged sitting.
- Smooth and Quiet Lift Mechanism: The gentle, silent motorized lift minimizes unwanted shoulder
strain and the risk of injury during abrupt motions. This promotes safe sitting and standing transitions.
- Sturdy Construction: The frame should always be durable and reliable, and the upholstery should
always be stable and designed to provide patient safety during movement. This ensures that long-term risks,
including tipping and damage, will be reduced.
- Easy-to-Use Controls: Effortless controls through the remote give patients with minimal
shoulder mobility the ability to adjust their bodies to the chair. This fosters transitions and comfort
customization.
- Memory or Preset Functions: These features help reduce repetitive motions that guide a user to a quick and preferred position. During daily use, support is sustained, which improves overall comfort and reduces shoulder strain.
When and How to Use the Lift Chair
Knowledge about when and how to use the lift chair can help promote a safe shoulder recovery post-surgery. A well-coordinated use of the chairs, coupled with therapy and rest schedules, is the key to faster healing.
Early Recovery First Few Days or Weeks
Initially, the patient may require additional support for sitting, followed by transitioning to standing and gentle movement. Regular use minimizes the risk of restriction for the shoulders and provides minimal movement that is safe during the phase of initial recovery.
How Often and Duration to Sit Versus Rest
Alternating chair use with periods of rest that include short walking or stretching helps support circulation and prevent muscle or shoulder stiffness. Patients must understand their comfort levels and follow the doctor's guidance to ensure safe activities.
Movement and Physical Therapy
The use of a chair can be included between the recovery therapy sessions. The well-controlled movement encourages healing and maintains mobility, safeguarding the shoulders during the recovery exercises.
Precautions
Always follow the physician's prescribed balance of activity and rest to avoid overusing the shoulder, which needs to be supported during movements. Inappropriate use of the chair may cause slow healing, pain, or post-surgical repairs.
Ready to Gain The Freedom of Movement & Faster Recovery?
Are you looking for the most comfortable way to recover from shoulder surgery? At Med Mart, we offer lift chairs designed ergonomically to reduce strain, improve movement, and boost comfort for patients right at home.
Our team can help you select a chair with features like adjustable positions, gentle lifts, and hands-free mechanisms, all designed to support your recovery journey. Contact us today to explore our range of lift chairs and discover how we can make your recovery more comfortable and safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I use a lift chair during recovery?
Use as needed to mitigate shoulder strain. Many short breaks provide comfort and safety, with duration modified to pain levels and physician advice.
Can a lift chair replace a sling or support?
Lift chairs help with moving and resting, but they cannot substitute for medical aids. Slings or braces remain essential for the shoulder during the first stages of recovery.
Is using a lift chair safe immediately after shoulder surgery?
Yes, it is controlled use as soon as the surgery is done. Gentle control and proper support aid in the shoulder recovery days, and the strain during the surgery is well-managed.
Do insurance or medical aids typically cover lift chairs?
Yes, some insurance policies are willing to pay for the lift chair as long as a physician’s referral is presented. Some providers have policies that require eligibility to be checked first, allowing claims to be made later.
Which lift chair is best for rotator cuff injury versus shoulder replacement recovery?
Zero-gravity chairs or multi-position chairs are best suited for the recovery of a rotator cuff. Power lift chairs aid shoulder replacement patients by controlling the standing and sitting movements.