CHOOSING A MANUAL WHEELCHAIR

Manual Wheelchairs come in a variety of styles and sizes, each emphasizing varying features, like transportability, mode of locomotion and construction.

Generally speaking, Standard Manual Wheelchairs can be propelled by either the user or his/her attendant, while a Transport Manual Wheelchair can only be pushed by the attendant.

The latter style therefore features only smaller, “caster” wheels, which facilitates tighter turning and, as the name indicates, easier transport. Likewise, Transport Wheelchairs are lighter, and therefore easier to push, though understandably less durable.

Standard Wheelchairs can bear up to 250lbs, while special “bariatric” chairs can sustain up to double that weight, if not more.

CHOOSING A SEAT

Identifying the proper seat – both in dimensions and features – is a critical step in wheelchair selection. The following notes can help you navigate this step with confidence:

Width and Depth
Standard wheel chair seats are 18 inches wide by 16 inches deep (18" x 16"). To determine your ideal width, measure from hip to hip, then add 1-2 inches to allow for maximum comfort, especially if you will be wearing bulky clothing or a winter coat. To identify your ideal depth, measure from the back of the seat to the knee, and then subtract 1-2 inches.

Height
Seat height refers to the distance from the floor to the seat. To determine your ideal height, the user should sit upright while an attendant measures from the heel to the bend of the knee. Add an additional 1-2 inches to ensure clearance. If you are using a seat cushion (which is highly recommended for all users, but especially the most frequent), make sure to subtract the cushion thickness from the height measurement.

Armrests
Armrests are optional, but helpful in alleviating shoulder and back stress and providing arm support. They also offer stability for users while entering or exiting the wheelchair.

Armrests can be “fixed” (also known as “permanent”), which means that the height cannot be adjusted, or “adjustable.” In addition, they can vary in length from full length to desk length; the latter is shorter to allow the user to sit closer to a desk or table. Other armrests might even be removable (or “flip back”), which means they can either be removed completely or at least swiveled away so the user can pull directly up to a desk or table.

FOOTRESTS

Foot/Leg rests offer critical support to a user’s feet and lower legs. Various options and styles address different users’ needs, and can be customized for maximum comfort and utility. Ideally, the bottomthigh area should supported only by the seat, while the footrests should fully prop up the feet.

We will now review some of the most common types of foot/leg rests.

Swingaway (or “removable”) foot rests swivel away for easy entry and exit to and from the wheelchair, as well as for ideal use at a desk or table. Because they can be removed, these leg rests are most conducive to travel.

Elevating leg rests, naturally, elevate, promoting enhanced circulation. Because they elevate, they generally include a calf pad as well.

Fixed riggings are attached to the wheelchair frame and cannot be removed, although the footplate height can be adjusted.

Obviously, elevating leg rests can be adjusted to different heights based on individual preferences; however, both swingaway/removable foot rests and fixed riggings can also be adjusted to varying angles. A lesser angle, in which the feet extend further, is ideal for the user who does not bend well at the knees. Meanwhile, a higher angle keeps the feet closer to the body, allowing the wheelchair to turn on a tighter radius.