Hip Belts, or anterior pelvic supports, enhance posture and function by positioning the pelvis. A hip belt should conform to the user, not irritate bony prominences or soft tissue, and be positioned properly. A hip belt is never a substitute for a poor seating surface, cushion or back support.

VARILITE 2-Point Hip Belt attaches to the wheelchair at two points, with padding placed relative to the ASIS (anterior superior iliac spine) to provide pelvic support or stability. Attach the 2-point hip belt to the side wheelchair canes to promote anterior pelvic tilt, and attach to the back canes, or to a solid back, several inches above the seat-to-back junction for posterior pelvic tilt.

Pads are made with soft closed-cell foam covered with a breathable knit fabric. Hip Belt is available with a choice of buckle and pull types to meet individual client needs. Push button mechanism is a spring loaded, metal-to-metal closure. Minimum pressure is required to release. Adjustment is made by pulling a single D-ring away from the user’s midline. A single pull belt can be left or right-handed, and is the easiest belt for a client to operate.

Extra-small and Small Hip Belts are available with metal-to-metal or high-strength, molded side squeeze buckles. Metal-to-metal side squeeze buckles require more pressure to release than a push button buckle, making them ideal for pediatric use.

High-strength, molded side squeeze buckles are stylish and lightweight. Adjustment is made by pulling two D-rings on either ends of the buckle. When addressing an obliquity or rotated pelvis, each side can be adjusted separately. VARILITE dual pull 2-point hip belts are available in reverse and front pull. Reverse pull lets the user or caregiver tighten the belt by pulling the D-rings toward the user’s midline.

VARILITE 4-Point Hip Belt provides four directions of pull, and is appropriate when the client has moderate to severe positioning needs, such as pelvic rotations and windswept deformities.

A 4-point hip belt may be more effective than a 2-point belt to decrease anterior pelvic tilt because the additional points of attachment prevent the belt from riding into soft abdominal tissues. Place the padded portion of the hip belt across the ASIS, and attach the belt to the back canes of the wheelchair, or to a solid back system, several inches above the back-to-seat junction.

VARILITE Unpadded Hip Belt attaches to the wheelchair at two points and is a single front pull belt. Unpadded hip belts are available with a push button or aircraft latch buckle. Aircraft Latch mechanism is ideal for clients with limited hand function and is a metal-to-metal closure. Single pull allows right or left hand adjustment.