Wheelchairs Flashcards
What is the primary goal of wheelchair prescription with the SCI population?
- Finding the combination of parts that produces the lightest wheelchair
- Helps to lessen chance of developing shoulder injury
What are the benefits to a rigid frame (box and cantilever) vs a folding frame?
Need less parts, more lightweight
Box is most rigid but cantilever is lighter and more popular
considerations for air cushion
- high protection for skin
- comes in low, mid, high grade
- high maintenance, can pop
- more disruptive to posture
considerations for gel cushion
- less protective of skin, but better than foam
- less maintenance
considerations of hybrid cushions
- combo of air or gel and foam
- offers additional stability over posterior thighs
- good option for patient who need air but struggle with posture - but lose full coverage/protection
considerations of low back backrest
- least supportive
- allows for full upper trunk movement
- least likely to get in way of propulsion
considerations of mid back backrest
- extends to just below inferior angle of scapular
- may get in way of scapular movements
considerations of high back backrest
- most supportive
- restrictive to scapular movement and certain shoulder movements
what are the least support and most supportive backrests?
least supportive - low back
most supportive - high back
What is the goal with backrests?
give stability with the least resistive
- need enough support w/o restriction of movement
considerations of lateral depth of backrest
- minimal lateral support to trunk
- allows for more freed for trunk movements
considerations of deep depth of backrest
- offers much more lateral support
- more restrictive
considerations of no armrests
- for more advanced wheelchair users
- more freedom of movement but lost stability, push up surface of armrest
considerations of swing-away armrests
- easiest to operate, do not need wrist/hand
- unable to attach trough or table if needed
considerations of flip-back armrests
- need adequate hand and finger use
- more versatile - able to attach through or table
Which armrests are easiest to operate? Why?
swing-away - do not need wrist/hand
Which armrests require hand and finger use?
flip-back
considerations of rigid footrests
- less maintenance
- extra thing to maneuver feet around during transfers
considerations of swing-away footrests
- ideal for gait trials
- need adequate hand and wrist function to operate
considerations for rubber wheels
- havier option
- way less maintenance
considerations of air wheels
- lighter option
- smoother ride
- more maintenance, can pop
considerations of push-rims wheels
- allow for easier propulsion, can build up to compensate for weaker grip
- makes chair wider - more difficult to negotiate tight spaces
different considerations for small and large casters
small casters are more lightweight
larger casters are beneficial when frequently negotiation outdoors/rough terrain
Which drive has the largest turn radius?
rear wheel drive
