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ROHO Cushion Guidelines

Administering care to a loved one or a patient confined to a wheelchair is difficult and heart wrenching. Caregivers make every effort to see that these special people are as comfortable as possible. The proper cushion for their wheelchair not only makes them more comfortable, but also helps to prevent pressure lesions. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, studies of ROHO cushions manufactured by ROHO Inc., based in St. Louis, Mo., have proven these cushions contribute to patient comfort as well as promote healing of pressure lesions as part of wound care therapy.

  1. Cause and Effect of Pressure Lesions

    • Patients with little or no skin sensation are susceptible to pressure lesions (bedsores) from sitting for long periods in wheelchairs. Muscle tissue damage leading to pressure lesions can occur in as little as two hours. The damage incurred most commonly in the buttock area from bony areas exerting pressure on the skin and muscles restricting blood flow.

      Mitigate the development or effects of pressure lesions by adjusting ROHO cushions -- raising or lowering the air level in one or all of the four independent quadrants of the cushion. This method properly distributes the user's weight evenly to avoid pressure in any one area.

    Maintaining Posture

    • Patients confined to wheelchairs may tend to lean to one side, applying undue pressure toward the skin and muscles. Adjusting ROHO cushions keeps the patient's posture at straight as possible. Patients that tend to lean to one side apply more pressure to the side they lean toward.

    High Profile ROHO Cushion

    • The manufacturer recommends this cushion for patients that have a high risk for skin breakdown and have no sensation in areas that contact the wheelchair seat. This cushion also recommended for patients that currently have impaired skin and/or history of skin breakdown. Very thin patients who have prominent bony areas can also benefit from the use of this cushion.

      The High Profile ROHO Cushion, weighing 3.8 lbs., features four quadrants in which the cushion form is changed by raising and lowering air pressure with the knob control. The surface of the cushion cleaned with soap and water and the cover machine-washed. The cushion is ventilated allowing air circulation. This cushion is available in a wide range of sizes from 12 to 24 inches. Custom sizes are also available.

    Low Profile ROHO Cushion

    • If you or your patient has a moderate to high risk of skin breakdown, the Low Profile ROHO seat cushion, with a weight of 2.5 lbs., is recommended. The cushion is suited to a patient with partial or no skin sensation and is able to do independent weight shifting.

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