Whether you need to use a wheelchair for several weeks while you heal from an injury or you need one for a longer period of time due to mobility issues, it is important to choose the wheelchair that is best for you. While your physician may recommend certain wheelchair specifications, there are additional wheelchair features that you may want to look into to ensure your wheelchair is both as comfortable as possible and a perfect fit for your lifestyle.
Read on to learn about three of the main wheelchair options you will encounter when browsing wheelchairs.
Power or Manual
One big decision you will make when choosing your new wheelchair is whether you would like a manual wheelchair or a power wheelchair. Each has their unique advantages that you should consider before making the decision.
The main advantages of a power wheelchair include:
- Ease of movement over all surfaces. If you have been using a manual wheelchair in a healthcare facility with smooth flooring, then, after you return home, you may notice that a manual wheelchair is more difficult to propel on carpeting, outside pavement, and other non-smooth surfaces. You will not face this challenge with a power wheelchair.
- Decreased chance of repetitive stress injuries and arm and hand pain. Even if you feel that you have good arm strength, realize that propelling yourself in a manual wheelchair for a long period of time can lead to repetitive stress injuries of the shoulder, along with arm and hand pain.
However, power wheelchairs do have their disadvantages. They can be very difficult to maneuver over curbs, their batteries need to be charged on a regular basis, and they often need more maintenance than do manual wheelchairs.
The main advantages of a manual wheelchair include:
- Easier to maneuver. There are ultralight manual wheelchairs that are very easy to maneuver around the house and outdoors. Power wheelchairs can be very heavy and difficult to maneuver.
- Easier to transport. Power wheelchairs are typically bulkier than manual wheelchairs and cannot be folded down before transport like manual wheelchairs can.
- Can be more convenient. Manual wheelchairs are always ready to go when you are because you never have to worry about charging wheelchair batteries.
The main disadvantage of a manual wheelchair is the stress put on your arms and shoulders while self-propelling it. However, arm and shoulder injuries due to manual wheelchair use are more common in people who need them long-term.
Armrest Style
Whether you decide to go with a manual or power wheelchair, another decision you will have to make is which wheelchair armrest style you prefer. The two main armrest lengths you will have to choose from are full-length and desk-length armrests.
Full-length armrests span from the back of the wheelchair seat to the front of it, while desk-length armrests are about 3/4 the length of full-length armrests. Desk-length armrests allow clearance between the armrest and the edge of a table or desk and are typically a better option if you plan to spend a lot of time sitting at a desk while in your wheelchair.
However, there are removable armrests (as opposed to fixed armrests) that offer a great solution if you would like the arm support of a full-length armrest during part of your day and would then like to remove the armrests when you pull your wheelchair up to a table or desk.
Leg Rest Style
Another option you will have when choosing your wheelchair is the leg rest style. There are three main types of leg rests: swing-away, elevating, and articulating. While basic swing-away leg rests are suitable for many people, if you have an injured limb that needs to be elevated or need to elevate your legs due to other healthcare concerns, then choosing an elevating leg rest is important.
Articulating leg rests can make elevating your legs easier because they automatically lengthen as they are raised, so you don't have to adjust their length manually every time you elevate your legs.
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