For some patients who are temporarily or permanently unable to walk, the wheelchair is a very important means of transportation because it connects the patient to the outside world. There are many different types of wheelchairs, and no matter what kind of wheelchair, it should ensure the comfort and safety of the passengers. When wheelchair users have a wheelchair that fits them well and can operate well, on one hand, they become more confident and have higher self-esteem. On the other hand, it also allows them to participate in social life more independently, for example, by going to work or school, visiting friends, and participating in other community activities, thus giving them more control over their lives.
Wrong wheelchair hazards
Inappropriate wheelchair can make patients have poor sitting posture, poor sitting posture is easy to cause pressure sores, resulting in fatigue, pain, spasm, stiffness, deformity, is not conducive to the movement of the head, neck and arm, is not conducive to breathing, digestion, swallowing, difficult to maintain body balance, damage self-esteem. And not every wheelchair user can sit properly. For those who have enough support but cannot sit properly, special customization may be needed. So, let's talk about how to choose the right wheelchair.
Precautions for wheelchair selection
The main places of pressure on wheelchair users are ischial nodule, thigh and socket, and scapular area. Therefore, when choosing a wheelchair, we should pay attention to whether the size of these parts is appropriate to avoid skin wear, abrasion and pressure sores.
The following is a detailed introduction to the wheelchair selection method:
The choice of wheelchair
1. Seat width
It is usually 40 to 46cm long. Measure the distance between the hips or between the two strands when sitting, and add 5cm so that there is a 2.5cm gap on each side after sitting. If the seat is too narrow, it is difficult to get in and out of the wheelchair, and the hip and thigh tissues are compressed. If the seat is too wide, it is not easy to sit firmly, it is not convenient to operate the wheelchair, the upper limbs are easy to fatigue, and it is difficult to enter and exit the door.
2. Seat length
It is usually 41 to 43cm long. Measure the horizontal distance between the posterior buttocks and the calf gastrocnemius muscle when sitting and reduce the measurement by 6.5cm. If the seat is too short, the weight will mainly fall on the ischium, easy to cause local pressure too much; If the seat is too long, it will compress the popliteal fossa and affect the local blood circulation, and easily stimulate the skin. For patients with short thighs or flexion contracture of hips and knees, it is better to use short seats.
3. Seat height
It is usually 45 to 50cm long. Measure the distance of the heel (or heel) from the popliteal fossa when sitting, and add 4cm. When placing the pedals, the board should be at least 5cm off the ground. The seat is too high for a wheelchair; If the seat is too low, the sitting bones bear too much weight.
4. Seat cushion
For comfort and to prevent bedsores, cushions should be placed on the chair seat of a wheelchair. Common cushions include foam (5~10cm thick), gel and inflatable cushions. A sheet of 0.6cm thick plywood can be placed under the seat cushion to prevent the seat from sinking.
5. Backrest
The advantages of wheelchairs vary depending on the height of their backs. For a low-back wheelchair, its backrest height is the distance from the sitting surface to the armpit, and another 10 centimeters is reduced, which is more conducive to the movement of the patient's upper limbs and upper body. High-backed wheelchairs are more stable. Their backrest height is the actual height of the sitting surface to the shoulders or back pillow.
6. Handrail height
When sitting, the upper arm is vertical and the forearm is flat on the armrest. Measure the height from the chair surface to the lower edge of the forearm. Adding an appropriate armrest height of 2.5cm will help maintain the correct posture and balance of the body, and enable the upper limb to be placed in a comfortable position. The armrest is too high, the upper arm is forced to lift, easy to fatigue; If the armrest is too low, the upper body needs to lean forward to maintain balance, which is not only easy to fatigue, but also may affect breathing.
7. Other accessories for wheelchairs
Designed to meet the needs of special patients, such as increasing the friction surface of the handle, brake extension, shock-proof device, armrest installation arm rest, or convenient for patients to eat, write wheelchair table, etc.
In 2002, due to witnessing the unfortunate lives of his neighbors, our founder, Mr. Yao, determined to let everyone with mobility impairments get into a wheelchair and walk out of the house to see the colorful world. Thus, JUMAO was founded to establish the strategy of rehabilitation devices. In 2006, by chance, Mr. Yao met a pneumoconiosis patient who said they were people going to hell on their knees! President Yao was deeply shocked and set up a new department--respiratory equipment . Committed to providing the most cost-effective oxygen supply equipment for people with lung diseases: oxygen generator.
For 20 years, he has always believed: Every life is worth the best life! And Jumao manufacturing is the guarantee of quality life!
Post time: Nov-21-2022