How to choose a suitable wheelchair?

How to choose a suitable wheelchair?

A manual wheelchair consists of 5 parts: frame, wheels (big wheel, small wheel), brake, seat and backrest, a matching manual wheelchair can effectively lower limb compensatory dysfunction, difficulty walking, improve the quality of life of the user. In considering the user's safety, operation ability, location, appearance and other factors, especially to pay attention to the following points for choosing a suitable physical function wheelchair for yourself.

▲Wheelchair Seat Width

1) Measure the widest place on both sides of the hip joint

2) Increase the distance of 2.5 cm for clothes on each side

3) If the side pad is used, the thickness of the cushion should be added.

4) Too narrow seat can cause skin shear

5) Too wide seat may increase the tension of the buttocks

Too narrow, will cause hip pressure and shear,thereby increasing the risk of bedsore.

Too width, will lead to deviation from the seat center. Patients usually try to shift, in order to hold the far armrest when sitting, the body will deviate from the center of the seat, so as to promote the body will be more weight bearing to the side of the ossa sedentarium, also will cause scoliosis. This posture will make the sciatic under more pressure to produce nodules of bedsore risk.

▲Wheelchair Seat Depth

1) Measure the distance from the posterior end of the hip to the back of the knee

2) Minus 2.5 "(6.35 cm) (allowing the knee to be able to move)

3) If you use a back cushion, you need to add the width of the cushion

4) Too shallow seat will increase the pressure of the caudal bone

5) Too deep seat will give users the foot curve (rear knee) by friction or hinder the user in a wheelchair activities.

▲Wheelchair Seat Height

1) Measuring the overall height of the user

2) 165cm - 188cm (49.5cm - 52cm seat height)

3) Lower than 165cm (42cm - 44.5cm seat height)

4) More than 188cm (55cm seat height)

5) Allow the seat cushion

6) Too low seat height will affect leg support

7) Too high seat height will affect blood circulation

▲Wheelchair Backrest Height

1) Start measuring from the bottom of the hip to the height of the shoulder

2) If the seat cushion is used, the thickness of the cushion should be added.

3) Subtracting 3 "(7.6cm) height for users with dystonia

4) Subtracting 4 "(10cm) height for the users with better muscle tension

5) Too high, users will tilt forward

6) Too low, supporting force of the users will reduce.

▲Wheelchair Armrest Height

1) Measure the user from the bottom of the hip to the lowest point of elbow bend, and then increase the 2.5cm

2) The height of the cushion should be considered

3) 23cm is suitable for the vast majority of users

4) Too high, pressure on the elbow, and the shoulders will rise up

5) Too short, will not support the thigh, will increase the ossa sedentarium and coccyx pressure, shoulder is shown as sinking.