Tripod position

The tripod position or orthopneic position is a physical stance often assumed by people experiencing respiratory distress (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or who are simply out of breath (such as a person who has just run a sprint).[1] In tripod position, one sits or stands leaning forward and supporting the upper body with hands on the knees or on another surface.[2][3]

Among medical professionals, a patient adopting the tripod position is considered an indication that the patient may be in respiratory distress.[4]

The tripod position can help to decrease breathlessness by stabilizing and lifting the shoulder girdle.[2] This may allow better use of accessory muscles in the neck and upper chest and elsewhere, and help to restore a normal dome-shaped position of the diaphragm.[5] With the position of the arms secure, contraction of the pectoralis results in elevation of the anterior wall of the chest.[6] This may give subjective relief for those experiencing breathlessness. It may not increase air flow into the lungs.[5]

Patients who are suffering from breathing difficulties may be placed in this position by nurses; the patient sits at the side of the bed with head resting on an over-bed table on top of several pillows.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ Shultz, Sandra J.; Houglum, Peggy A.; Perrin, David H.; Shultz, Sandra J. (2005). Examination of musculoskeletal injuries (2nd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. ISBN 978-0-7360-5138-5.
  2. ^ a b Khan, KS; Jawaid, S; Memon, UA; Perera, T; Khan, U; Farwa, UE; Jindal, U; Afzal, MS; Razzaq, W; Abdin, ZU; Khawaja, UA (August 2023). "Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations in Hospitalized Patients From Admission to Discharge: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions". Cureus. 15 (8) e43694. doi:10.7759/cureus.43694. PMC 10505355. PMID 37724212.
  3. ^ Bhatt, SP; Guleria, R; Luqman-Arafath, TK; Gupta, AK; Mohan, A; Nanda, S; Stoltzfus, JC (April 2009). "Effect of tripod position on objective parameters of respiratory function in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". The Indian Journal of Chest Diseases & Allied Sciences. 51 (2): 83–5. PMID 19445443.
  4. ^ Hammer, J (March 2004). "Acquired upper airway obstruction". Paediatric Respiratory Reviews. 5 (1): 25–33. doi:10.1016/j.prrv.2003.09.007. PMID 15222951.
  5. ^ a b Sarkar, M; Bhardwaz, R; Madabhavi, I; Modi, M (January 2019). "Physical signs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease". Lung India. 36 (1): 38–47. doi:10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_145_18. PMC 6330798. PMID 30604704.
  6. ^ Schwartzstein, Richard M.; Parker, Michael J. (2006). Respiratory physiology: a clinical approach. Philadelphia Baltimore London: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-5748-5.
  7. ^ Doyle, Glynda Rees; McCutcheon, Jodie Anita (2015-11-23). "3.5 Positioning Patients in Bed". Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care.
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