{{Short description|Position of a patient who suffers from orthopnea}} [[File:Epiglottitis svg hariadhi.svg|thumb|upright=1.3|The tripod position is often seen in epiglottitis]] [[File:Runners panting.jpg|thumb|The tripod position may be adopted by people experiencing respiratory distress or who are simply out of breath.]]
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).<ref name="Shultz">{{cite book |last1=Shultz |first1=Sandra J. |last2=Houglum |first2=Peggy A. |last3=Perrin |first3=David H. |last4=Shultz |first4=Sandra J. |title=Examination of musculoskeletal injuries |date=2005 |publisher=Human Kinetics |location=Champaign, IL |isbn=978-0-7360-5138-5 |edition=2nd}}</ref> In tripod position, one sits or stands leaning forward and supporting the upper body with hands on the knees or on another surface.<ref name="Khan"/><ref name="Bhatt">{{cite journal |last1=Bhatt |first1=SP |last2=Guleria |first2=R |last3=Luqman-Arafath |first3=TK |last4=Gupta |first4=AK |last5=Mohan |first5=A |last6=Nanda |first6=S |last7=Stoltzfus |first7=JC |title=Effect of tripod position on objective parameters of respiratory function in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |journal=The Indian Journal of Chest Diseases & Allied Sciences |date=April 2009 |volume=51 |issue=2 |pages=83–5 |pmid=19445443}}</ref>
Among medical professionals, a patient adopting the tripod position is considered an indication that the patient may be in respiratory distress.<ref name="Hammer">{{cite journal |last1=Hammer |first1=J |title=Acquired upper airway obstruction. |journal=Paediatric Respiratory Reviews |date=March 2004 |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=25–33 |doi=10.1016/j.prrv.2003.09.007 |pmid=15222951}}</ref>
The tripod position can help to decrease breathlessness by stabilizing and lifting the shoulder girdle.<ref name="Khan">{{cite journal |last1=Khan |first1=KS |last2=Jawaid |first2=S |last3=Memon |first3=UA |last4=Perera |first4=T |last5=Khan |first5=U |last6=Farwa |first6=UE |last7=Jindal |first7=U |last8=Afzal |first8=MS |last9=Razzaq |first9=W |last10=Abdin |first10=ZU |last11=Khawaja |first11=UA |title=Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations in Hospitalized Patients From Admission to Discharge: A Comprehensive Review of Therapeutic Interventions. |journal=Cureus |date=August 2023 |volume=15 |issue=8 |article-number=e43694 |doi=10.7759/cureus.43694 |doi-access=free |pmid=37724212 |pmc=10505355 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sarkar"/> With the position of the arms secure, contraction of the pectoralis results in elevation of the anterior wall of the chest.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Schwartzstein |first1=Richard M. |last2=Parker |first2=Michael J. |title=Respiratory physiology: a clinical approach |date=2006 |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Philadelphia Baltimore London |isbn=978-0-7817-5748-5}}</ref> This may give subjective relief for those experiencing breathlessness. It may not increase air flow into the lungs.<ref name="Sarkar">{{cite journal |last1=Sarkar |first1=M |last2=Bhardwaz |first2=R |last3=Madabhavi |first3=I |last4=Modi |first4=M |title=Physical signs in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. |journal=Lung India |date=January 2019 |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=38–47 |doi=10.4103/lungindia.lungindia_145_18 |doi-access=free |pmid=30604704 |pmc=6330798 }}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Doyle|first1=Glynda Rees|last2=McCutcheon|first2=Jodie Anita|date=2015-11-23|chapter=3.5 Positioning Patients in Bed|url=https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/3-4-positioning-a-patient-in-bed/|title=Clinical Procedures for Safer Patient Care |language=en}}</ref>
== See also ==
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Human positions Category:Symptoms and signs: Respiratory system