II. Indications
- Mobility for patients lacking leg strength, balance or endurance to allow for walking with Ambulatory Devices
III. Background
- Wheelchairs typically have anti-tipping prevention to prevent flipping chair onto back
- Ultralight Wheelchairs and folding Wheelchairs are available for portability and storage
- Covered by Medicare IF required to perform Activities of Daily Living within the home
- Wheelchairs are highly adjustable for patient fitting
- Proper, professional Wheelchair fitting (e.g. physiatry/PMR, physical therapy) is critical to prevent Pressure Sores
- Fitting includes leg and arm rests, back angle, Wheelchair width and height, proper seat cushion
IV. Types
- Manual Wheelchair
- Manually propelled chairs with patient rotating circular outer hand rails to move the chair
- Requires significant upper body strength and coordination
- Power Wheelchair
- Electrically Powered Wheelchairs for those without sufficient arm strength and coordination to self power the chair
- Requires recharging of Wheelchair battery
- Backup Manual Wheelchair recommended for power outages and portability
- Wide variety of available chairs
- May be controlled by hand, foot and even mouth
- Seat may be electrically raised and lowered on some models
- Mobility Scooter
- Less expensive and less heavy than a Wheelchair
- Difficult to use within home or tight spaces due to greater turn radius (better for outdoor mobility)
- Less customizable to individual patients than a Wheelchair
V. Adverse Effects
-
Pressure Sores
- Proper wheelchiar fit is critical