| Wheelchairs are meant for patients, who can not move independently. While selecting the wheelchair, it is necessary to consider the anatomical requirements of the patient and ambient factors. Special requirements to take the measurements of patients are not presented. However, it is advisable, that the patient is located in wheelchair with size, comfortable for the patient.
For correct selection of wheelchair, it is necessary to take the measurements of patient at 6 main positions:
Width of the seat,
Depth of the seat,
Length of the legs,
Seat height,
Height of forearms,
Height of seat back,
Correct selection of wheelchair allows to:
- Ensure the distribution of patient’s weight on possibly more wider surface;
- Facilitate movement and notify about the contact and friction of body parts with side walls;
- Minimizing the movement problem through the doors, bathrooms and other confined premises by selecting the maximum seat width of the wheelchair.
Badly selected wheelchair can be reason for injury, secondary deformation and forced incapability and also other complications, which are of irreversible nature.
Various types of wheelchairs are available, which can be used both in house conditions and on street.
Manual wheelchairs: These wheelchairs ensure safe movement and seat comfort. They ensure high mobility and contact with flooring for all the four wheels even on non-flat pathway. Seat with thickness of 2.5 cmm has good padding, made from porous rubber. Depending on the model, these type of wheelchairs can be used both for long-term usage at high loads and non-flat paths as well as for short-term usage in hospitals or in old people’s home And also models of this series can have smooth adjustment of position of backrest.
Wheelchair with lever drive: Designed to negotiate large distances. If the patient can function from one side of the body (For example: In case of amputation of upper extremities, hemiplegia or disseminated sclerosis i.e in case of abnormalities in upper portion of the body), it is recommended to use wheelchair and negotiate it with lever control using single hand – either right or left. This system is based on transmission of free wheeling and easily allows to move forward and back using lever control and drive.
Wheelchair with electronic control: Drive system ensures negotiation of large distances, convenience during movement and control and safe. Wheelchair can also be pushed back and while pushing back, the control system is switched-off. Gear box, which is fitted to right side, can be, if required, shifted to left side. Leg control and shifting of control to middle are also possible. |
A 21 year old Ben Carpenter from Michigan took a wild ride on his wheelchair at 50 mph. The ride started when his electric wheelchair was accidentally pushed down the highway by a trailer. Secured by a seat belt, Carpenter traveled for several miles, was unharmed, and said he rather enjoyed the ride.
