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Physical disabilities impact, either temporarily or permanently, a person’s physical capabilities and overall mobility. Polyspine is a specially designed physical disability support device, intended to assist in the mobility of people with some physical disabilities. Below is some brief information about just some of the disabilities that Polyspine disability equipment may be able to help contribute additional mobility opportunities for.

Further detailed information relating to physical disabilities can be found at Betterheath, NDIS and Physical Disability Australia.

Types of physical disabilities for which Polyspine could help.
There are many different physical disabilities which limit physical mobility and functions. These can result from inherited or genetic disorders, serious illnesses, and injuries.

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI):
Spinal cord injuries often result in loss of feeling and mobility. They occur when the spinal cord is subjected to too much pressure, or when the pathway for the spinal cord’s blood and oxygen supply is cut off.

Someone who has experienced a spinal cord injury may become paraplegic, meaning that they lose bodily function below the chest; or quadriplegic, resulting in loss of mobility below the neck.

Spina Bifida:
Spina Bifida is a physical disability that occurs as a result of the embryo forming improperly during pregnancy. Usually, the spine is safely enclosed within bone that is surrounded by muscle, but Spina Bifida can cause the exposure of the spinal cord and nerves on the back.

Symptoms vary amongst sufferers and can be mild or severe. Some common symptoms include paralysis, too much fluid on the brain, incontinence, spine deformities, and learning disorders.

Cerebral Palsy:
Cerebral Palsy is a disability which is commonly a result of a brain injury that occurs during pregnancy or whilst the brain is forming. Such injuries can be caused when the brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen or blood supply. Illnesses such as rubella and meningitis, as well as premature birth can be causes of Cerebral Palsy. However, for a small portion of people, the disability can be developed later on in life after experiencing a head injury, infection or stroke.

Symptoms may include coordination difficulties, uncontrolled movements, walking difficulties, body and muscle weakness.

Muscular Dystrophy:
Muscular Dystrophy refers to a collection of genetic disorders that cause muscles to become weak and waste away. Some types of Muscular Dystrophy occur during childhood, whilst others appear in adulthood.

Symptoms can include walking difficulties, heart problems, breathing problems, issues with swallowing and restricted joint movements.

Quadriplegia:
People suffering from Quadriplegia, or who are quadriplegic are generally paralysed from the neck down. This can occur after the spinal cord is damaged, preventing clear communication between the brain and parts of the body, in most cases the arms and legs in particular.

Quadriplegia can be resultant of a disease or illness. However, it can also be caused by car accidents, falling over, sporting injuries or unsuccessful surgery that results in spinal cord damage.

Those who suffer from Quadriplegia may experience symptoms such as the inability to move certain body parts, incontinence, pain, breathing difficulties, weight gain, and infections.

Motor Neuron Disease:
Motor Neuron Disease is a neurological disease that progresses quite rapidly. It involves the destruction of the motor neuron cells that control muscle movements, such as walking, talking, swallowing and breathing.

Symptoms vary amongst sufferers and can include muscle loss, weight loss, body weakness, fatigue, speech impairment, difficulties eating, pain, cramps, twitching, and altered thought processes.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS):

MS occurs when the protective tissue around nerves becomes damaged and scarred. The scarring hinders the central nervous system’s ability to send messages, which negatively impacts the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.

There are a range of symptoms that can occur, including tingling and numbness, memory loss, walking difficulties, body weakness, vision problems, bladder issues, fatigue, pain, and stiffness. Symptoms of MS can progress quite slowly, but for some they can progress quite quickly.

People diagnosed with any of these or other disabilities which impact physical mobility, may be able to use a Polypsine physical disability device to gain increased mobility options and enjoy physical activities that they would otherwise not be able to. Disabilities which impact the spine and cause limited mobility are a particular focus of the Polyspine team. Click here to learn more about us.

PolySpine is a customisable supportive exoskeleton for people with moderate to severe physical disabilities. Our mobility equipment is designed to provide support to users with physical disabilities so that they are able to participate in rehabilitative and recreational activities; outside of their main wheelchair or accessibility equipment. Progress is underway to get our project into the hands of people who need it. For more information about Polyspine, contact our team or sign up for a trial.