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I am in the process of looking for new treatment & clinicians chairs.

I am interested in any feedback/advice you may offer.

My existing patients chair is hydraulic & has been very reliable. It is very old (Noah was the previous owner) so an upgrade is on the cards.

I have also been looking at the saddle type clinicians chair. Any pros/cons?

Many thanks,

Mandy.

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:)
twirly

Mandy Brooks
Brooks Podiatry
S64 0DE

Suffering a fondness for odd things.

Hi Mand`

I have been using a saddle seat (from Canonbury products) for a couple of years and find that it has helped reduce lower back and hip pain (associated with acetabular dyspalsia) that I experienced with a standard clinicians chair. As the saddle places my hips in a more extended position, there is less stress on the Iliopsoas and pectineus, where i used to feel the pain.

It did take a while to get used to the seat, but as you are used to a saddle with your equine antics I`m sure that you would benefit from the comfort immediately. One male colleague reported discomfort from the saddle, but that shouldn`t be a problem for you.

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Thanks Bel,

May even invest in some chaps.

Mand'

__________________
:)
twirly

Mandy Brooks
Brooks Podiatry
S64 0DE

Suffering a fondness for odd things.

Dont forget the spurs!

I had previously tried the saddle seat as a student 3 years ago and found it comfortable. I purchased one 3 months ago after struggling with the standard clinicians chair and LBP.
I have found it so far to be a great purchase, with next to no LBP and unlike the male colleague of blinda I have found no discomfort in that way, must have been my younger days showjumping as I find it exactly the same as a saddle.
I do find it a little bit tender on the ischial tuberosity if you have a long consultation where you are on the chair for an hour plus but this is relieved as soon as you stand up.
Blinda is right it does take a little bit for the back to get used to it after a few years of slouching! mine came with a big sticker attached to the seat 'do not sit on this for more than 15 minutes first time'

Hi Twirly,

For a patients chair I think you would have to travel far to beat the Akron Couches (or similar).

My surgery was involved in testing these when they were first sold to chiropodists (a looong time ago)

We had two. A standard couch with armrests and split leg sections, and one with treble-thickness padding with armrests and split legs. Previously these had not been developed for chiropody use and were only sold as a three-section couch.

Plus-points are that they are not expensive for an electro-hydraulic couch, and should your hydraulic ram malfunction you can fit a new one yourself in about five minutes.

I use a new similar couch today (but just three-section) and it is a perfectly servicable piece of kit.

Cheers,

Hey Twirly

The clinicians chair I use (while certainly not being the cheapest) is the most comfortable chair I've ever used - http://www.corrigochairs.com/how.html

Certainly worth the investment in the long term in my opinion

Ian

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Thanks for that link Ian,

I'm guessing as the website does not include the price it is going to be pretty high?



Mandy.

__________________
:)
twirly

Mandy Brooks
Brooks Podiatry
S64 0DE

Suffering a fondness for odd things.

I think they are about £550 so definately an investment rather than a treat!

Ian

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Hi all

I have seen the saddle seats at sales shows and thought the height of the seat seems really high even at its shortest setting. Is this the case? Is there a difference between brands or have I managed to just experience the high almighty version?

Thanks

Tammy.

Tammy,

Good question to tell the truth I hadn't even thought about it being 6 foot I hadn't had a need to check that as long as it went high enough when needed.

Mine is relatively high however I think the idea behind it was that your hip is not meant to be at 90 degrees like in a normal chair with your feet out the front but more with your heel closer to the line with your hip (as they say in equestrian circles) to allow anterior tilt of the pelvis and correct curvature of the spinal column. I would have a guess at my hips being flexed at about 50-60 degrees. So it actually should be higher than your normal chair anyway.

Hope this helps,

BK

i would say get a "saddle " seat as definate.

It has prob saved my career, up to last year was seriously on the verge of giving up, sometimes couldnt even stand up after a busy day.

get the best quality you can ( mine cost£450. inc VAT) on wheels, ( great fun doing wheelies round the surgery!)

ps dont get white, get something dark as i got cool white but the dye came out of my trousers and it looks like i may have a plumbing problem when i dont!!

Hi Twirly,

The Bambach Saddle Seat saved my career 3 years ago!

It's not the most comfortable for long stints, but my back and my posture are excellent. You have to sit high though and mine has a draughtsman's stem on it as I'm approximately 187cm, therefore I have to put my patient chair at maximum height and use a different chair for the low stuff.

Cheers,

Brad Randazzo

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I am somewhat – okay, maybe not somewhat! – vertically challenged (170cm or about 5'7") and did sample one of the Bambach saddle chairs. I just couldn't get used to it, and gave it a full month. I agree the position is ok, but feel because of my lack of height, I had to stretch slightly to get my feet flat to the floor - even at the shortest setting. I ended up going back to a standard flat and round seat which allowed a significant lowering to a point where even my legs were cramped.

I have used the Bambach saddle chair for nearly 10 yrs, fantastic compared to anything else I've tried. $800 in Aus. I'm large, oh alright...XXL and I know small people don't always find them as comfortable. If you like the saddle but the gas leg is too long you can always get a shorter one for it.
regards Phill

So how are you finding your saddle seat then Twirls? Any bruising?

__________________
I know, I know for sure
ding, dang, dong, dong, deng, deng, dong, dong, ding, dang.
.

Nope

Tis great Bel. No backache since using although was a tad saddle sore for first few days.

Now walking less like John Wayne.

With love,

Cochise xxx

__________________
:)
twirly

Mandy Brooks
Brooks Podiatry
S64 0DE

Suffering a fondness for odd things.