Health

Wheelchair

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Maximize functional independence with activities of daily living
Minimize the risk of secondary injuries
Correct or accommodate for skeletal deformities

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Health

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35 Terms

Maximize functional independence with activities of daily living
Minimize the risk of secondary injuries
Correct or accommodate for skeletal deformities

functions of wheelchairs and seating system.

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Wheel locks
Pelvic positioners
Caster wheels
Drive (Push) Wheels
Armrests
Footplates
Footrests
Elevating Legrests
Anti-tipping Devices

wheelchair components.

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Wheel locks or Toggle Locks

- stabilize the wheelchair after the wheelchair has been stopped

- must be engaged whenever an individual is moving into or out of a wheelchair

- must make contact with tires

- are usually engaged by pushing a lever on each side of the chair

<p>- stabilize the wheelchair after the wheelchair has been stopped</p><p>- must be engaged whenever an individual is moving into or out of a wheelchair</p><p>- must make contact with tires</p><p>- are usually engaged by pushing a lever on each side of the chair</p>

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Pelvic Positioners

- these are devices that stabilize a patient’s pelvis in the proper position while seated in a wheelchair - their purpose is to not to prevent patients from falling out of the chair

<p>- these are devices that stabilize a patient’s pelvis in the proper position while seated in a wheelchair - their purpose is to not to prevent patients from falling out of the chair</p>

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Lap and Chest Belts

provided to protect the patient who has inadequate balance or trunk stability.

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Caster Wheels

- these are the small front wheels of the wheelchair

- there are two basic styles that are available

standard solid rubber and pneumatic/semi-pneumatic
pneumatic tires are filled with air - provide shock absorption and a smoother ride

- usually 5-8 in diameter

<p>- these are the small front wheels of the wheelchair</p><p>- there are two basic styles that are available</p><ul><li><p><em>standard solid rubber and pneumatic/semi-pneumatic</em></p></li><li><p><em>pneumatic tires are filled with air - provide shock absorption and a smoother ride</em></p></li></ul><p>- usually 5-8 in diameter</p>

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Drive/Rear Wheels

- are the large rear wheels and are used for propulsion (can also come in standard solid rubber or pneumatic)

- have inner and outer rims

inner rim - are for mounting the tires
outer rim - is used for propelling the rim

- can be reinforced by either a mag wheel or spoked wheel

<p>- are the large rear wheels and are used for propulsion (can also come in standard solid rubber or pneumatic)</p><p>- have inner and outer rims</p><ul><li><p><em>inner rim - are for mounting the tires</em></p></li><li><p><em>outer rim - is used for propelling the rim</em></p></li></ul><p>- can be reinforced by either a mag wheel or spoked wheel</p>

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Pneumatic Tires

have been modified to reduce the potential for flat tires.

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Camber

- is the angle of rear wheel tilt

- advantages:

brings wheels inward and closer to the body, which enables the arms to access more of the pushrim
reduces shoulder abduction because the wheels are closer to the body
increases lateral stability

- disadvantages:

wider wheelchair, which can be problematic in tight areas
diminished traction and uneven tire wear on a conventional tire

<p>- is the angle of rear wheel tilt</p><p>- advantages:</p><ul><li><p>brings wheels inward and closer to the body, which enables the arms to access more of the pushrim</p></li><li><p>reduces shoulder abduction because the wheels are closer to the body</p></li><li><p>increases lateral stability</p></li></ul><p>- disadvantages:</p><ul><li><p>wider wheelchair, which can be problematic in tight areas</p></li><li><p>diminished traction and uneven tire wear on a conventional tire</p></li></ul>

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Armrests

- are either full length, desk length, or standard

- fixed or removal/reversible armrest

- desk or cut-out/full length

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Front Rigging

- it consists of a foot plate attached to either a foot rest or an elevating leg rest

- provides support for the lower extremities

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Foot Rest

front rigging with a footplate.

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Leg Rest

front rigging with a footplate and a calf pad support.

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Footplates

- this is where the patient’s feet rest on these

- are available in several sizes to accommodate to the patient’s foot

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Heel Loops

prevent the heels from sliding off the footplates

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Elevating Legrests

- these are necessary when the patient is unable to bend their knees

- a calf pad support provides a cushion for the calf and support for the leg

- is adjustable - by releasing a lock

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Anti tipping Device

these are small extensions which are attached to the horizontal support bar which prevent accidental backward tipping of the wheelchair

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Folding Wheelchair

- wheelchairs that can be folded or collapsed for storage or transport use a similar method for folding

- can be folded by a special strap, the chairs cannot be folded by the material of the seats because it will cause the material to tear and break.

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Standard Wheelchair

- is durable and is the standard for facility use

- these are available in several sizes to fit patients from children to adults

- usually designed for persons weighing less than 200lbs

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Fixed Frame

- frame is solid and can not be folded

- the front rigging is part of the frame and cannot be removed

- reduced shock absorption because the frame in unitized design is rigid

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Heavy Duty

constructed for persons weighing more than 200 lbs or for those who perform vigorous activities

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Reclining Back Wheelchair

- are for those patients that are unable to sit erect

- head support is also required when the back is reclined

- takes much more space

- there is a lock, and adjusting the angle of the back

- complete reclining or partial reclining

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Tilt in Space Wheelchair

- it has a fixed seat to back angle even when reclined

- permits changes of orientation for pressure relief maintaining the postural control

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One Arm Drive Wheelchair

are made for patients with one functional upper extremity.

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Amputee Wheelchair

- have the drive wheels behind the vertical back supports

- if the wheelchair’s base of support is not moved posteriorly with respect to the individual, the wheelchair will be less stable and might trip backwards.

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Companion Wheelchair

- also called a travel chair

- has light weight components

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Motorized Wheelchairs and Scooters

- this is for individuals with limited functional ability.

- some of these wheelchairs have the capability to use a power mechanism to recline the back of the wheelchair, which permits the patient to change position for different kinds of activities

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Rear Wheel Drive

is characterized by large drive wheels in the rear and small pivoting casters in the front.

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Front Wheel Drive

- features large drive wheels in the front and small pivoting casters in the rear

- has the best capability to climb forward over small obstacles

- a tendency for the rear wheel to wander sideward (fishtailing).

<p>- features large drive wheels in the front and small pivoting casters in the rear</p><p>- has the best capability to climb forward over small obstacles</p><p>- a tendency for the rear wheel to wander sideward (fishtailing).</p>

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Mid Wheel Drive

the drive wheels are located near the center of the power wheelchair, allowing the user to seemingly turn on center, dramatically increasing indoor maneuverability.

<p>the drive wheels are located near the center of the power wheelchair, allowing the user to seemingly turn on center, dramatically increasing indoor maneuverability.</p>

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Proportional Control and Switch Control Joysticks

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Sip and Puff

- allows control of the wheelchair by sipping (breathing in) and puffing (breathing out) on a straw located near the mouth. \n - generally a user will sip a specific number of times to indicate a direction, and puff to confirm the choice and activate the movement of the wheelchair.

$<p>- allows control of the wheelchair by sipping (breathing in) and puffing (breathing out) on a straw located near the mouth. \n - generally a user will sip a specific number of times to indicate a direction, and puff to confirm the choice and activate the movement of the wheelchair.</p>$

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Head Array

- usually has a three piece headrest (two side pads and one center) with proximity switches built into each pad - by being in proximity to the switch embedded in the pad, the client moves the wheelchair in the desired direction.