Tripod position
Position of a patient who suffers from orthopnea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]