PT 410 Wheelchairs and Accessibility

seat, back, armrest, front rigging

What aspects of a wheelchair offer postural support?

casters

front wheels on a wheelchair

calfpad, heel strap

What components on this wheelchair are not seen on standard wheelchairs?

anti-tipping device

used to prevent wheelchair and pt from falling backwards

pushrim

Name the red part of the wheelchair

flexible, sling

What is the standard seat for a wheelchair?

air cell wheelchair cushions

wheel chair seats that are more expensive but more effective for pressure relief

contoured

Is a uniform or contoured wheelchair cushion more supportive?

inferior angle of scapula

The seat back of a wheelchair should sit at the level of what bony prominence of the back?

for poor postural control

Why would the seat back of a wheelchair be higher?

lower

Is the seat back of sports wheelchairs higher or lower?

False

Reclining the seat back of the wheelchair creates impaired trunk control and stability. True or False?

tilt-in-space wheelchair

wheelchair indicated for pressure relief when a patient is unable to independently provide pressure relief through weight shift

full length

what kind of armrests does this wheelchair have?

desk-lenght

what kind of armrests does this wheelchair have?

for transfers, safety

When would you want to remove the front rigging on a wheelchair?

footrest, legrest, heel loops

What components are involved in front rigging?

solid rubber

What type of an inner rim drive wheel is easier to push?

solid rubber

What type of an inner rim drive wheel is better for indoor use?

pneumatic

What type of an inner rim drive wheel has better shock absorption and is more comfortable?

pneumatic

What type of an inner rim drive wheel is better for outdoor use?

outer rim projection

aspects of a drive wheel which could make it easier to push, pushing them with your wrists to propel

camber

angle of the drive wheel tilting inward on a wheelchair

better side to side stability, easier maneuvering

a greater camber on a wheelchair gives what advantage?

stability, allows change in direction

functions of a caster

5 in

typical diameter of a caster

smaller turning radius, better mobility

a caster smaller than 5 in is used for what?

push to lock

what kind of wheel lock is this, with the greatest strength?

extension push to
lock

what kind of wheel lock is this, offering an easier push?

anti-rollback break

what kind of wheel lock is this, allowing forward motion but not backward rolling?

no

are you able to detach the front rigging and frames from sports wheelchairs?

large

do sports wheelchairs have a small or large camber?

small

do sports wheelchairs have a small or large caster size?

front-wheel drive

Power wheelchair good for outdoor use, but requiring the ability to lean trunk in order to prevent fishtailing

rear-wheel drive

Power wheelchair best for stability, and is the most smooth

mid-wheel drive

Power wheelchair with the least stability, but good for indoor use

mid-wheel drive, front wheel drive, rear wheel drive

list the types of power wheelchairs in order form the smallest turning radius to the largest turning radius

higher

For individuals with leg amputations, their COG in shorter or higher

behind the back of support

Where are the drive wheels set for wheelchairs for amputee usage?

larger seat size, higher weight capacity

What characterizes a bariatric wheelchair?

80

what % of our weight do we want to fall on the rear axle of the drive wheel?

forward

how does the rear wheel need to be shifted on a bariatric wheelchair?

90º hip flexion, 90º knee flexion, 90º ankle (neutral), neutral pelvis

what positions of the LE do we need to have when taking wheelchair measurements?

upper leg length (back of hips to popliteal fold) - 2 inches

How do we measure the seat depth in wheelchairs?

it will increase

If we are slouched with a posterior pelvic tilt when seat depth measurement is being taken, what will happen to our upper leg measurement?

put in supine with hips and knees flexed 90º

how do we correct our upper leg length measurement for seat depth when a patient has a slouched posture?

increased pressure under thigh

If the seat depth measurement is too short, what will happen?

pressure behind knee, increased risk of pressure injury

If the seat depth measurement is too long, what happens?

hip width + 1 to 2 inches

how do we measure seat width for wheelchairs?

8 inches

How many inches to you add to "seat width" to estimate the overall width of a standard wheelchair?

32 inches

how wide are standard doors?

24-28 in

how wide are standard wheelchairs?

increases pressure on hips, increased adduction

If seat width is too narrow, what happens?

potential scoliosis

If seat width is too wide, what happens?

lower leg length + 2 inches

How do we find seat-to-floor height for standard wheelchairs?

lower leg length

How do we find seat-to-floor height for foot propulsion wheelchairs?

seat to floor height - compressed thickness of cushion

How do we modify seat-to-floor height for wheelchairs when a cusihon is used?

sole of shoe to popliteal fold

How do we measure lower leg length?

on

Do we measure seat to floor height with shoes on or off?

low support (feet dangle), harder to push foot propulsion

If foot rest is too low relative to the seat, what happens?

knee flexion contracture, circulation problems

If foot rest is too high relative to the seat, what happens?

sitting surface to lower scapul

how do we measure back height of chair?

sitting surface to hanging elbow + 1 inch

How do we measure armrest height of wheelchair?

forward leaning posture

if back of wheelchair is too higher, what happens?

backward leaning posture

if back of wheelchair is too low, what happens?

shrugging, tension and pressure in neck

If armrests are too high, what happens?

lack of support, contract stress on wrists and forearms

If armrests are too low, what happens?

6

at least 1 of every ___ accessible spaces are to be van accessible

25

for every ______ parking spaces, there must be one accessible space

2%

once you reach over 500 parking spaces, what percentage of spots must be accessible?

20, +1 for every 100 over 1000

How many parking spaces must be accessible when there are more than 1000 spaces?

upper leg length and lower leg length without shoes differ more than 1 in

how can you tell if patient is sacral sitting when trying to measure wheelchair parameters?