Protective Clothing for Paraplegic Men

To develop protective clothing for the paraplegic men their clothing related problems were identified by interview as well as observation method. A few paraplegic men encountered problems while wearing and removing upper garments for which help was always obtained. The problems encountered by all the respondents with the lower garments were: slipping legs in garments and removing them, garments and bed wetting because of incontinence, bunching of garments causing discomforts and bed sores at pressure points like scapula region, hip or back bones and wounds due to traction belt. Suitability assessment of functional features provided in the garments of paraplegics in accordance to their clothing related problems revealed that upper garments made with center front placket and large armholes were assessed to be highly suitable for the patients who had pain in their upper limbs. 'T'-shirt made to hip length were found to be very comfortable as bunching and wetting of garments could be prevented. A vest designed with back pocket for poly fiber padded cushion provided comfortability at scapula region while sleeping and sitting. Payajma with crotch length placket was assessed to be highly suitable due to ease in dressing/undressing as well as changing of napkins and pads. Napkin with side placket, padded with poly fiber at identified areas was found to be very appropriate as it could be changed easily and padding provided sufficient comfortability at pressure points.