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Wheelchair
Aka: Wheelchair, Wheel Chair, Manual Wheelchair, Mechanical Wheelchairs, Nonpowered Wheelchair, Powered Wheelchair, Electric-Powered Wheelchair, Motorized Wheelchair, Mobility Scooter, Powered Scooter, Assistive Scooter
- See Also
- Mobility Device
- Assistive Technology
- Canes
- Crutches
- Walkers
- Indications
- Mobility for patients lacking leg strength, balance or endurance to allow for walking with Ambulatory Devices
- 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
- 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
- Adverse Effects
- Pressure Sores
- Proper wheelchiar fit is critical
- References
- Sehgal (2021) Am Fam Physician 103(12): 737-44 [PubMed]