Page Six P H Y S I O T H E R A P Y January, 1956

P O R T A B L E  S U S P E N S IO N  F R A M E
By M ISS P. C H A T T E R T O N , M .C .S .P .

TREATMENT o f patients in bed by sling suspension therapy usually presents a problem to the physio­therapist, due to the lack o f  portable suspension frames 
in most hospitals and institutions. The recognised models 
are extremely useful—they are light and easy to adjust—  
but expensive if they are to be purchased in quantity.

Having worked for some time now with frames con­
structed locally to my own design o f tubular steel piping 
and squared burglar-proof wire mesh, 1 find this type o f 
frame preferable owing to the ease with which the points 
o f  suspension can be altered. Provided that the area o f 
wire-mesh is large enough to cover the patient, the slings 
can be suspended from any required point, without moving 
patient or bed. The fixed type which I have in use is 7 ft. 
high, and has an overhead frame 8 ft. x 5 ft., giving freedom 
for the physiotherapist to walk round the plinth, unhindered 
by the support o f the frame. Hooks fixed in the wall are 
used for the attachment o f springs or weights and pulleys 
for resistance.The portable frame was constructed to fit the normal 
hospital bed, so that when it is hooked over the lower rail 
o f  the bed at the head and the foot end, the overhead 
frame, which is 6 ft. 7-J ins. long and 2 ft. wide, is 7 ft. 
from the floor. If desired, the frame can be further secured

to the bed by U  hooks, passing through the upright poles 
and round the upper rail at the head and foot end o f the 
bed, tightened with butterfly bolts. The upright poles 
are jointed 5 ins. from the top at one end, and 7 ins. from 
the top at the other end, so that the lower ends will swing 
inwards to fold upon one another. The frame can then 
easily be dismantled and transported, and when closed i. 
occupies a storage space o f  6 ft. 7 i  ins. x 24 ins. x 7 inst

When fixed on the patient’s bed, it remains in position 
until otherwise required. The bed can be moved freely 
with no hindrance as the upright poles are 1 in. o ff the floor. 
In height the frame is low enough to allow patient, bed and 
frame to pass freely through a door onto the verandah. 
The frame does not interfere in any way with nursing. 
Extra holes can be drilled through the upright poles at 
convenient points for the attachment o f hooks, springs, I 
pulleys, etc.

The wire-mesh itself is naturally not strong enough to 
bear the weight o f  total suspension, but, should this be 
necessary, there is a cross-bar midway across the frame of 
i  in. tubular steel, which is adequate to bear the full weight 
o f  the pelvis. The uprights and the frame itself are also 
o f J in . tubular steel. The wire-mesh will take considerable 
strain, and will easily carry the weight o f one or both legs, 
fully suspended^ and even the strain o f  knee extension 
against 30 lb. springs.

The cost o f this portable frame was £6. 5. 0., complete 
with a coat o f aluminium paint.

J. H . IS A A C S  &  C O . 
L IM IT E D

(E stablished 1902)

REAL ESTATE & INSURANCE AGENTS

P ro fessio n al suites w ill be available for 
letting in a num ber o f  m agnificent 
bu ild in gs n o w  in  the co u rse o f  con stru c­
tion. 

For fu rth e r d eta ils p le a se  telephone 23-2561 
or w rite to —  

.C e n t u r y  I n s u r a n c e  B u i l d i n g ,  
C orner M arket & K ruis Streets, 
P .O . B o x  5575. Johannesburg.

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