MIDTERMS: Wheel Chair Flashcards
BASIC WHEELCHAIR COMPONENTS
Seat
Back
Arms
Front rigging
Wheels and tires
Casters
Parking locks
Seat Width and Depth
Width ranges from 10 to 22 inches
Too narrow → Pressure sores
Too wide → Leaning to one side → Scoliosis or unilateral pressure
Too shallow → Reduced contact area
Too deep → Restricted leg circulation
Enable steering
Types:
Standard 8-inch → Smooth surfaces and indoor use
5-inch → Used in children’s wheelchairs for better maneuverability
CASTERS
Seat Height
Seat Type
Seat Height
Basic adult height: 19.5 to 20.5 inches
Seat Type
Sling or hammock → Most commonly used
Solid seats → Removable
Cushions → For patients with lack of sensation
Bilateral amputees require COG shifted 1 inch rearward
Rear wheels are moved back 2 inches for stability
Slightly increased turning radius
Amputee Chair
Attached to driving wheels for control
Circular steel tube
Vinyl-coated rings
Knobs/projections for patients with hand deformities
HANDRIMS
Types of Tires
Solid → For indoor use (least rolling resistance)
Pneumatic → For outdoor use (better shock absorption)
Semi-pneumatic → Inner tube for partial cushioning
Interconnected driving wheels for one-hand control
Dual handrims
One rim = single-wheel control
Both rims = both wheels turn
One-Hand Drive Chair
WHEELS & TIRES
Rear wheels → 24-inch diameter
Front caster wheels → 8-inch diameter
Types of wheels:
Wire-spoke
Composite (plastic + metal) → Maintenance-free
Large front wheels for better maneuverability indoors
Rear casters
Reduced length → Harder to propel over curbs
Indoor Chair
Designed for patients with one functional leg
Seat 2 inches lower than standard
Uses 22-inch diameter wheels
Foot Drive / Hemiplegic Chair
Wheelchair Users
Lost lower limb function
SCI
Arthritis
CP
Poliomyelitis
MS
Muscular dystrophy
Stroke and TBI
Bilateral amputation
Insufficient postural stability
Brain damage
CP
Cancer of the spine
General debilitation
Aging
Alcoholism
Temporary illness
