Wheelchairs

Question 1

What are wheelchairs designed to do?

Answer 1

Wheelchairs are designed to help people who are unable to walk

Question 2

List examples of patients who require temporary use of a wheelchair. 4

Answer 2

1. Acutely ill patients
2. Lower limb amputee awaiting prosthesis
3. Lower limb fracture, awaiting crutches
4. Recent stroke or head injury

Question 3

List examples of patients who permantly need use of a wheelchair. 6

Answer 3

1. Spinal cord injury
2. Amputee who does not qualify for a prosthesis
3. Children with cerebral palsy
4. Chronic painful conditions of joints
5. Congenital deformities
6. Old age: unable to walk

Question 4

What are the types of wheelchairs? 3

Answer 4

1. Transit
2. Self-propelled
3. Electric

Question 5

Describe transit wheelchairs 2

Answer 5

1. Attendant operated
2. Patient needs to be pushed

Question 6

Describe self-propelled wheelcharis:2

Answer 6

1. Standard
2. Rear wheels have an outer rim for self propulsion by occupant

Question 7

Describe electric wheelchairs

Answer 7

Three types of control available:

1. Arm
2. Breath
3. Chin

In each case, a control box appropriate to the type of chair is fitted

Question 8

Label the wheelchair 12

Answer 8

Question 9

Describe the characterisitcs of the seat 2

Answer 9

1. Must be of adequate width to avoid side pressure
2. Should have a cushion for pressure relief and comfort

Question 10

Describe the characterisitcs of the back-rest 4

Answer 10

1. Support’s patient back in the optimal sitting position
2. Can be fixed, partially reclining, or fully reclining
3. Some chairs have adjustable backrests
4. Backrest extensions are also available

Question 11

Describe the characterisitcs of the arm-rests 4

Answer 11

1. Can be fixed or removable
2. Removable: important for transfers or working at a desk
3. Some chairs have desk-level arm-rests
4. Some chairs have detachable trays for acitivities of daily living

Question 12

Describe the characterisitcs of the brakes 5

Answer 12

1. To stabilize the wheelchair (e.g. when patient is transferring)

Various types:

1. Single lever (hemiplegics)
2. Independant levers (most common)
3. Extended levers (tertraplegic

Patient must be able to reach brakes

Question 13

Describe the characterisitcs of the foot rests 3

Answer 13

1. For maintaining optimum foot position (knee and ankle joint at 90^o)
2. Usually detachable, hinged and retractable: this feature is very important for transfers
3. May have calf pads, calf and ankle straps/ leg res cushions

Question 14

Describe the characterisitcs of the tipping lever 2

Answer 14

1. Assistant operated
2. For tipping chair when going up curb/stair

Question 15

Describe the characterisitcs of the pushing gloves

Answer 15

minimize friction

Question 16

Describe the characterisitcs of the sliding board

Answer 16

for transfers

Question 17

Describe the characterisitcs of the detachable tray

Answer 17

for eating, writing etc

Question 18

List wheelchair features and accessories9

Answer 18

1. The seat
2. Back rest
3. Arm-rest
4. Brakes
5. Foot rests
6. Tipping-lever
7. pushing gloves
8. sliding board
9. detachable tray

Question 19

What factors play a role when selecting a wheelchair? 5

Answer 19

The patients:

1. Physical
2. Psychological
3. Social needs

Need to be addressed when selectiing a wheelchair. Also the medical condition of the patient, including age and weight is important.

Question 20

For whom are special wheelchairs required?

Answer 20

1. Bilateral amputation who can’t use prosthesis
2. Dense hemiplegia
3. High cervical lesions

Question 21

Explain wheelchair selection in bilateral amputation who can’t use a prosthesis

Answer 21

1. The centre of gravity is far back
2. There is an increased tendancy and risk for the chair to tip backwards
3. Should use a wheelchair with rear wheels shifted backwards

Question 22

Explain wheelchair selection in dense hemiplegia: 3

Answer 22

1. The patient may never be able to walk with a walking aid
2. Should use a wheelchair with double push rim which is either left or right drive depnding on which side is affected
3. The patient should have the mental capability to use the wheelchair

Question 23

Explain wheelchair selection in high cervical lesions 5

Answer 23

1. Require an electric wheelchair
2. or a wheelchair with extended levers
3. or back rest extension
4. NB: If the chair is to be used outdoors on a rough terrain a Tuffee should be recommended as it has wider rear wheels, reinforced seat, upholstery and frame

Question 24

Describe the characteristics of a folding wheelchair. 2

Answer 24

1. Lots of moveable that undergo strain
2. Thicker walled aluminium is required and therefore, the wheelchairs are usually heavy

Question 25

Describe the characteristics of a rigid wheelchair. 3

Answer 25

1. Fewer movable parts (less goes wrong)
2. Generally more durable
3. Age better than folding wheelchair

Question 26

Describe rigd vs folding chair 5

Answer 26

1. The rigid wheelchair may be easier to push than a folding wheelchair

Due to:

1. Weight
2. Design
3. fewer moving parts

The performance of a rigid wheelchair is usually better than a folding wheelchair andthus all sports wheelchairs are rigid.