Wheelchair considerations: Fitting, components, and justification Flashcards
Pressure relief starts where?
With w/c cushion
How often should full pressure relief be done?
Every 10-15 minutes for 10-15 seconds
How often should partial pressure relief be done?
Every 10-15 minutes for 2 minutes
What is the most common cause of sacral-sitting in a w/c?
Sling seat and sling back
How do you ensure proper wheel chair sitting posture?
Firm level seating surface
Firm back support
Head over shoulders and shoulders over pelvis (90, 90, 90)
What are the essential w/c measurements?
Seat width Seat depth Back height Armrest height Front seat to floor height Back seat to floor height Footrest height
What is seat width?
The widest point of the hips or thighs
How should one adjust seat width?
Add one inch to the widest point of the hips or thighs to allow for wheelchair upholstery width
What should you consider when adjusting seat width?
Recent weight loss/expected weight gain
What is seat depth?
Rear of the buttocks to the inner surface of the back of the knee
What should you consider when adjusting seat depth?
Knee hanger angle (posterior calf) Custom back (cushion for back will add material)
What is footrest height
Bottom of the heel to the undersurface of the thigh at the back of the knee
What should you consider when adjusting footrest height?
Footrests cannot extend past a level two inches above the floor surface
What is rear floor to seat height?
Measure from the floor to the height of the seat at the rear axle
What should you consider when adjusting rear floor to seat height?
Seated position height required for effective propulsion
What is front floor to seat height
Measure from the floor to the height of the seat at the front casters
What should you consider when adjusting front floor to seat height?
Creation of a tilt angle “dump”
What is back height
Rear underside of the buttocks to the underside of the extended arm
Considerations when measuring back height
Subtract 4 inches if the person has good trunk muscles and can actively propel the wheel chair
Subtract 3 inches if the person has poor trunk muscles but good shoulder muscles and good arm strength
Use the full measurement if the person has no use of the upper body and poor trunk stability
Where should the back height be if the patient has good UE function and sufficient trunk stability?
Below the level of the scapula
