- How To Choose The Right Wheelchair-

- Feb 02, 2018-

Seat width: measure the distance between two hips or two when you sit down, and 2.5cm in each side after sitting down.

The seats are too narrow, the upper and lower wheelchairs are more difficult and the buttocks and thighs are oppressed.

The seat is too wide and not easy to hold, the wheelchairs are not convenient, the legs are easily tired, and there are difficulties in entering and leaving the gate.

Seat length: measure the horizontal distance between the posterior hip and the calf muscle of the calf and reduce the measurement result by 6.5cm.

If the seat is too short, the weight will mainly fall on the ischium, easy to cause local pressure too much;

If the seat is too long, it will oppress the popliteal fossa to affect the local blood circulation and stimulate the skin of the department.

For patients with shorter or hip or knee flexion contractures, shorter seats are preferred.

Seat height: measure the distance from the foot (or heel) to the popliteal nest, add 4cm, and at least 5cm from the floor when the pedals are placed.

The seat is too high for the wheelchair to reach the table;

The seats are too low and the ischium is too heavy.

Seat cushions for comfort and prevention of bedsores should be placed on the chair.

Common cushions are foam rubber pads (5 ~ 10cm thick) or gel pads.

To prevent seat sagging, a 0.6cm thick plywood is placed under the seat cushion.

The height of the seat: the higher the back, the more stable the seat, the lower the back, the greater the movement of the upper body and upper limbs.

Lower back: measure the distance from the seat to the armpit (one arm or two arms forward), reducing the result by 10cm.

High back: measure the actual height of the seat to the shoulder or back of the occipital.

Height of armrest: when sitting, the upper arm is vertical, the forearm is placed on the armrest, measuring the height of the seat to the lower edge of the forearm, plus 2.5cm.

Proper armrest height helps to maintain proper body posture and balance, and allows upper limbs to be placed in a comfortable position.

The armrest is too high, the upper arm is forced to lift, fatigue.

The handrails are too low, and you need to lean forward to maintain balance, not only fatigue, but also breathing.

Wheelchair other auxiliary parts, are designed in order to meet the needs of special patients, such as increasing the handle of friction surface, car magazines, shockproof device, armrest, installing arm or convenient patients eat, write wheelchair table, etc.

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