Wheelchair Assessment

Question 1

Wheelchair Measurements (6)

Answer 1

Total height (of chair)
Seat height 
Armrest height
Seat height from floor
Seat/back width
Back height

Question 2

How to Measure seat height

Answer 2

From heel to popliteal fold- add 2 inches to allow for clearance of footrest

Question 3

Avg Adult seat height

Answer 3

19.5-20.5 inches

Question 4

How to measure seat depth

Answer 4

From posterior buttock along lateral thigh to popliteal fold- subtract 2 inches to avoid pressure from front edge of the seat against the popliteal space

Question 5

Avg adult seat depth

Answer 5

16 inches

Question 6

How to Measure seat width

Answer 6

Measure widest part of hips- add approximately 2 inches to provide space for bulky clothy, orthoses, trochanter clearance from armrest

Question 7

Avg Adult seat width

Answer 7

18 inches

Question 8

How to Measure back height

Answer 8

From seat of the chair to the bottom of the axilla with pt’s shoulder flexed to 90 degrees- subtract 4 inches to allow for the back of the chair to be below the inferior angle

Question 9

Avg adult back height

Answer 9

16-16.5 inches

Question 10

How to measure armrest height

Answer 10

Seat of the chair to the olecranon process with pt’s elbow flexed to 90 degrees- add 1 inch

Question 11

Avg adult armrest height

Answer 11

9 inches above the chair seat