Wheelchair

MANUAL WHEELCHAIRS

Typical Measurements

Back height	Self-propeller, good trunk control	2″ below inferior angle of scapula
	Self-propeller, poor trunk control	2″ below scapular spine
	Poor UEx strength, poor trunk control	Standard (typically 16.5”)
Seat width	Widest point, usually hip, plus 1″	18″
Seat depth	Buttock to popliteal fossa, minus 2″	16″
Seat height	Popliteal fossa to floor, plus 2″	19″
WC width	18″ seat width usually corresponds to 27″ WC width. (Doorways need to have a clearance that is ≥32″ wide to be ADA compliant)
WC weight^a	Standard (no set definition)	˜43-50 lbs
	Lightweight	<35 lbs
	Ultralightweight (i.e., sports chairs)	<28 lbs
	Heavy duty (for users >250 lbs)	45-60 lbs
Wheel size	Standard	24″
	“Hemichair”	20″
^aDecreasing the weight of a manual WC does not necessarily increase propulsion efficiency on level surfaces, but a difference is appreciable on uphill grades.
Courtesy of Redford J, ed. Orthotics Etcetera. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Williams & Wilkins; 1986.

A mat evaluation is also done to determine joint angles (hip, knee, or ankle), to assess postural deformities (e.g., joint contractures, pelvic obliquities, spinal kyphosis, or scoliosis), and to assess the effects of gravity on sitting balance.

The following components are needed as part of a comprehensive WC and seating evaluation (Fig. 3-1):

Medical history
Home environment

Method of transportation

Figure 3-1 Components of a typical outdoor sling-seat WC. 1. Arm pad; 2. Desk-style removable arm rest; 3. Clothes guard; 4. Sling seat; 5. Down tube; 6. Footrest; 7. Bottom rail; 8. Cross brace, X bar, or X frame; 9. Caster; 10. Caster fork; 11. Footplate; 12. Tipping lever; 13. Axle; 14. Seat rail; 15. Arm rest bracket or hole for non-wraparound arm rest; 16. Arm rest bracket or hole for wraparound arm rest; 17. Handrim; 18. Wheel; 19. Wheel lock; 20. Back post; 21. Sling back; 22. Push handle.

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