The ErgoKneeler™… an innovative, dynamic kneeling system that can provide comfort, support and ease of movement across a range of low working positions, for people who undertake tasks at a low level.

Moulded in polyurethane foam with active antibacterial properties, the ErgoKneeler™ is a uniquely profiled kneeling pad and stool integrated into a single piece of equipment. The ergonomic design alleviates the compression forces and postural discomfort associated with low working positions and promotes good spinal posture. For maximum comfort, the position of the stool is adjustable.

The ErgoKneeler aims to reduce the risk of cumulative strain and promote the comfort and musculoskeletal health of nurses, midwives, podiatrists, orthotists, therapists, care workers, educational staff and anyone who undertakes low working tasks.

Why low working is a problem

It has long since been recognized that low working postures such as kneeling and squatting are very uncomfortable and potentially damaging. The risk of injury and cumulative damage increases the longer that the position is sustained and the more frequently it is adopted. Research now indicates that regular, prolonged static kneeling or squatting increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knees at an earlier age.

Where possible, low working should be avoided but sometimes it is the only way that certain tasks can be carried out. For many people, for example - nurses, midwives, care workers, therapists, orthotists, podiatrists, educational staff, repetitive and sustained low working postures are an inherent aspect in their daily work.

How The ErgoKneeler can help

The ErgoKneeler provides an option for managing the postural stresses and discomfort arising from unavoidable low working.

The ErgoKneeler's ergonomic design:

• Supports the knees and ankles away from their end of range position, reducing stress on muscles and joint structures. Support to ankles frees the feet to move during kneeling, promoting circulation.
• Supports body weight, alleviating the compression forces on the joints and tissues in the lower legs.
• Cushions the knees against the hard floor. The long mats provide protection and a clean kneeling surface for the entire length of the lower legs.
• Positions the pelvis to promote natural spinal curves, reducing both static muscle tension and the stressing of spinal structures.
• Facilitates positioning of the task close to the user, reducing the need to reach forwards or stoop. Optimum spinal posture can be achieved if the task is also raised to around the user’s waist level, for example – a nurse elevating a client's leg on a limb support or low stool when carrying out leg dressings.
• Enables the user to move between low kneeling, half kneeling (alternating sides) and sitting. The ability to make frequent changes to position, whilst maintaining a balanced low working position throughout the task, reduces the risk of any build up of the musculoskeletal stresses and strains that result from static kneeling which can lead to injury and long term damage.

Designed by a Chartered Physiotherapist and Back Care Adviser, the ErgoKneeler™ is the result of collaborative working with Spectrum Healthcare (UK) Ltd and The Design Unit, De Montfort University, Leicester.