Wheelchair positioning and measurements

W/C seat height

• Heel to popliteal fold (fosa) + 2 in

• Average 19.5-20.5 in

W/C seat depth

• posterior buttock along lateral thigh to popliteal fold - 2 in

• Average: 16 in

W/C seat width

• widest aspect of buttocks or thighs +1.5-2 in

• Average: 18 in

W/C back height

• Chair seat to axilla - 4 in

• consider cushions that add thickness to final value

• Average: 16 in

W/C armrest

• Seat of chair to the olecranon + 1in

• Consider cushioning

• Average: 9 in

W/C axel positioning

• Normal axle positioning- in line with the shoulder or slightly posterior (around S2)

• Bariatric Patients- move the rear wheel axle forward → abdominal adiposity

  • moving the axle anteriorly makes it easier to push

• Bilateral TFA→ move the rear wheel axle behind the patient’s shoulders

W/C propulsion

• Propulsion phase: apply a smooth, continuous push on the rims, extending your arms forward

• Recovery phase: after the push, release the push rims and bring your hands back to the starting position, ready for the next push

W/C propulsion- turns/ wheelie

• Turn: pull one side wheel backward and other side forward

  • Side you are pulling back on is the side that you are turning towards

• Wheelie: patient places hands back on handrims, then push them forward abruptly and forcefully

  • 11-1 o’clock

  • balance on rear wheel

W/C Ascending/ descending curb

• Ascending the curb

  • Lift the front casters onto the curb by performing a small wheelie

  • Push forward on the push rims to lift the rear wheels onto the curb

• Descending curb (2-ways)

  • Performing a wheelie and descending with rear wheels of the curb followed by castor wheels

  • Descending backwards: allow the rear wheels to slowly roll off the curb, followed by the castor wheels