Manual Wheelchair Components
In order to select the right chair for you, it helps to understand the various manual wheelchair components, and the different options available.
Anyone who is new to using a wheelchair will find the tips for wheelchair travellers helpful.
Click to go straight to know more on:
Wheelchair Frame Types
Wheelchair Frame Materials
Wheelchair Seat
Wheelchair Backrests
Wheels
Wheelchair Tyres
Wheelchair Brakes
Footrests
Armrests
Wheelchair Frame Types
• A folding frame is very useful for storage and transportation as it has a cross brace mechanism underneath the seat material, which allows it to fold flat. The downside to this design for very active users is that it is harder to manoeuvre due to the folding mechanism.
• Compact folding frame has the same advantages and disadvantages as a folding frame, and it can be folded even smaller.
• A rigid frame is not as easy to transport as the folding kinds, but is lighter and so is better suited to an active user because there isn’t the same amount of energy loss through the frame design.
Wheelchair Frame Materials
• Steel provides great strength and is relatively cheap. It is, however, also very heavy, which impairs manoeuvrability.
• Aluminium is a bit more expensive, but also a lot lighter and is therefore easier to manoeuvre.
• Titanium has a higher strength to weight ratio than aluminium. It may not be as durable.
• Carbon Fibre strongest and lightest – perhaps 25% lighter than aluminium of the same stiffness. Expensive, and prone to chipping. Once damaged, the strength is lost.
• Composite frames are also available, combining the benefits of different materials.
Wheelchair Seat
The user must be properly assessed in order to have the correct seat size for good posture, stability and comfort.
The best situation is for the user to fit the seat comfortably: if the fit is too snug, pressure sores can develop, while too wide a seat will encourage poor posture. A seat that is not deep enough will force too much weight onto the user’s buttocks, instead of distributing it through the length of the thighs. Too deep, and the user may not obtain the intended support from the backrest, as well as perhaps developing pressure points behind the knees.
Sagging seats are always a problem, as they make the user’s legs roll together, causing discomfort, and possibly leading to pressure sores. Some wheelchairs have a facility to tighten the seat canvas, otherwise a firm crescent-shaped cushion can counteract the sag.
Lightness of weight is an important consideration as it is almost always an advantage for both the active user and carer.
If the user can’t sit upright unaided, a specialist seating system may be required, rather than the standard wheelchair seat. It is important to get a proper assessment for this.
More information is available in the postural management section
Wheelchair Backrests
Dimensions – The angle and height of the backrest affect the posture of the the user, and therefore their comfort if the chair is used for prolonged periods of time.
Types:
• Folds backwards/forwards backrests facilitate storage and transportation.
• Pushing handles are mainly part of the backrest but some are an optional extra.
• Adjustable height pushing handles are practical for anyone who is pushing the chair as they can be adjusted so as to reduce backache.
Wheels
Typically, a manual wheelchair for self propelling has two large drive wheels at the back, with hand rims for pushing, and two small wheels or castors at the front. Some high-performance and sports wheelchairs have a single front wheel.
The size of the drive wheels determines the ease of propulsion – the larger the wheels, the less effort is required.
Transit or transport chairs, which are designed to be pushed by an attendant, have smaller rear wheels and may also have slightly larger front castors. They cannot be self propelled.
Detachable drive wheels help to reduce the size and weight during transportation and storage.
Wheelchair Tyres
• Pneumatic tyres are smoother and more comfortable for the user but need to be checked to maintain pressure and for punctures. Repairing punctures is done the same way as bicycle tyres. However, if this is a problem then a local cycle shop or specialist retailer can carry out the repair. You can have tyres with deeper tread, like mountain bike tyres, to increase stability and grip when travelling over rough terrain.
• Puncture-proof tyres are made of a special rubber compound which provides a compromise between pneumatic and solid tyres – they absorb shocks but don’t puncture.
• Solid tyres do not need inflating and don’t puncture. They are also good for manoeuvring on certain surfaces, but do not provide the shock absorption and therefore comfort of pneumatic tyres.
Wheelchair Brakes
Wheelchair brakes are not designed to slow down the chair, but rather to prevent it moving once it is stationary, so a better name is wheel locks.
They are operated by either pulling or pushing a lever to apply pressure to the drive wheels. The pull or push mechanism must be specified when the chair is ordered, as it is difficult to change subsequently.
For users without sufficient strength or dexterity to use a brake lever, an extension can be specified.
A hill holder is a type of brake that can be used on pneumatic tyres, to prevent the chair rolling backwards in between pushes when going uphill. It should be disengaged when not in use, otherwise it will cause excessive wear on the tyres.
Rear or foot lock brakes are available on some transit chairs, where the attendant rather than the occupant needs to engage the brakes. The rear wheels need to be 16 inches or less for this type of brake.
Footrests
• Detachable footrests can be taken off the chair to make it lighter for transportation, and can also make transfer to and from the chair easier.
• Swing-away footrests are also a good way of easing transfers to and from the chair.
• One-piece footrests give more support by being in contact with a larger surface of the foot. This means that the user can move their feet around. They also make the frame of the chair more rigid, but can impede transfers.
• Elevating footrests are important if you need to have your legs raised or if you suffer from stiff knees. You can also have a single leg elevated: ideal for temporary use following an operation or injury.
• Height adjustable footrests accommodate different leg lengths but if they are too low they can hit the ground when going up hill. It is therefore a good idea if you have long legs to enquire about footrests that are also angled outwards.
• Angle adjustable footrests can be adjusted so as to compensate for users whose legs kick out in a spasm. This alteration can help lessen spasm. The footplates can be hinged upwards to stop the user’s legs slipping off.
Armrests
• Full-length armrests provide good support for standing up and while sitting down as they run the full length of the seat. Often, they can have a tray attached. The downside is that they stop the user from being able to approach a table closely.
• Desk-style armrests let the user access a work surface but don’t provide much support, particularly if the user needs help standing up.
• Adjustable height armrests are great for maximum comfort and support for the user.
• Detachable armrests can be mislaid, but they help to reduce size and weight during transportation of the chair. They also facilitate sideways transferral of the user to and from the chair.
• Fold-up/fold-down/swing-away armrests also help in sideways transfers.
You can view Independent Living’s guide to manual wheelchairs here