Manual wheelchair. Choosing a Manual Wheelchair

Manual wheelchairs are manually operated by the user or an accompanying person. Modern designs with this control method are equipped with a large number of functional devices that allow the use of wheelchairs for home and outdoor use, for adults and children, for regular walks and sports. The variety of models on sale makes it possible to choose the optimal wheelchair option for comfortable movement of people with various pathologies.

Classification and purpose

Wheelchairs for disabled people, patients after injuries or operations are divided into two types depending on the type of drive: with electric or manual drive. Manual models are driven by hand force by turning the rear drive wheel or by using control levers.

The electric wheelchair is equipped with an electric motor and a battery. The user or the patient's assistant does not need to make any effort to move; all actions are carried out using a joystick built into the armrest.

Types of wheelchairs are classified according to technical parameters designed to facilitate the process of moving citizens of various age categories and physical abilities. The number of settings, standard and additional options determines one or another type of device. Manual wheelchairs are represented by the following models:

• active universal;
• passive;
• children's;
• sports;
• lever

Important! Wheelchairs that belong to the same type may differ in design, size, set of built-in devices, and material of manufacture.

Technical characteristics of wheelchairs

Mechanical manual wheelchairs for adults and children are made of steel and aluminum, due to which the weight of such vehicles is about 20 kg, and the load capacity reaches 150 kg. The design of the wheelchair includes the following elements:

• The seat can be removable, folding, adjustable in depth, width, angle of inclination (up to the “lying” position), and move back and forth. To maintain the body in a comfortable position, some chair models are equipped with a high back, headrest, side torso supports, and a soft abductor for separating the legs. The seats are made of synthetic waterproof, breathable materials or artificial leather. Tension covers are easy to remove and clean, have a high level of wear resistance;

• Armrests are divided into fixed, removable and folding. The supporting part of the stroller for the hands of a disabled person can be adjusted in height and reach, and have an elongated or stepped shape. Fixed armrests are typical for models with a solid frame; their advantage is durability and stability. Armrests that can be removed or moved to the side make it easier to transfer the patient into a manual wheelchair;

• Footrests – there are fixed, folding, removable and folding. They can be raised, lowered or rotated to suit the patient's height. Manually driven wheelchairs with removable and folding footrests in the form of orthopedic pillows allow you to give the leg a horizontal position. Additional elements are tapes, soft or plastic embossed pillows to support the legs at the level of the shins.

• Wheels – wheelchairs for outdoor and indoor use are equipped with cast or pneumatic (inflatable) tires. Cast wheels are more suitable for home use, since uneven road surfaces can lead to serious mechanical damage and then the wheel or hub will need to be completely replaced. Inflatable tires absorb surface imperfections, which is why almost all models contain rear pneumatic wheels in their design. Replacing a tire in case of damage is carried out in the same way as with a bicycle.

Average parameters of mechanical manual wheelchairs for adults:

Reference. Indoor wheelchairs are passive, often equipped with a toilet facility. The product is not intended for transporting patients outside the premises and is used inside a hospital and at home.

Mechanical wheelchairs for children and athletes with manual drive

The most in demand are active mechanical wheelchairs, which are convenient for use indoors and outdoors in all occasions. The universal mobile device is customizable to the individual characteristics of patients with varying degrees of activity and is capable of moving on any surface in pedestrian areas. A special category includes children's wheelchairs for children with various diseases of the musculoskeletal system and sports strollers.

A manually driven children's wheelchair for children with cerebral palsy is fully adapted to the needs of the sick child. Externally, the product does not differ from a regular baby stroller, but the set of devices and numerous options are designed to fulfill the main task - to ensure the comfort and safety of the little passenger.

The strollers are easy to fold and adjust in accordance with changes in the child’s growth and health, and have ample adjustment options and protection against falling out. The indivisible design includes non-removable, non-folding armrests, a single footrest, a soft abductor, a protective handle, and a height-adjustable headrest. Additional accessories are inherent in any baby stroller:

• weather hood,
• safety belt,
• basket (bag) for personal belongings,
• raincoat,
• cape (bag) for legs

The lightweight wheelchair can weigh 8 kg and is intended for professional disabled athletes. Manually powered sports wheelchairs can withstand heavy loads and operate effectively in a variety of conditions. They get their uniqueness thanks to a light and durable frame made of aluminum or titanium, a shortened wheelbase and a special wheel camber, the absence of armrests, and a specially modeled short backrest.

There are special wheelchairs for sports. They have a special reinforced design, and its design itself is adapted for a particular sport (basketball, tennis, speed racing, fencing, etc.). It is best to select the appropriate product based on the recommendations of a doctor and trainer.

The most famous and widespread are the following manufacturers of technical rehabilitation equipment:

• Otto Bock (Germany),
• Vermeiren (Belgium),
• Meyra (USA),
• Ortonika (China).

There are other worthy manufacturers of wheelchairs, including domestic ones.

How to buy a wheelchair correctly

For a person who has difficulty moving or is unable to walk, moving in a wheelchair should be comfortable and safe. Specialists from the Med-Tema online store will advise on the functionality of the model you like, the advantages and disadvantages for a particular consumer, and will help you decide on the choice of the most convenient and efficient means of transportation.

When choosing a wheelchair, you need to get answers to the following questions:

• what is included in the factory package of the product;
• clarify the overall dimensions both folded and unfolded;
• is there another size range for the model on sale;
• what is covered by the warranty, and what difficulties may arise when replacing a mechanism that has failed;
• how the guarantee is carried out (procedure and sequence);
• Are tools needed for the process of folding and unfolding a wheelchair;
• does the store provide a full package of documents to receive compensation for the cost of a technical means of rehabilitation from social protection authorities?

It is a correctly selected mechanical wheelchair with a manual drive that gives people immobilized by illness a chance not to be confined within four walls, but to participate in the life of their family and society on an equal basis with healthy people.

Video

You can buy an indoor manual wheelchair to move a disabled person independently around an apartment or clinic. Greater comfort is achieved by installing additional options.

Additional functions of basic manual wheelchairs

Products can be equipped with:

• comfortable seat with adjustable width and height;
• removable or folding foot supports;
• handles for the accompanying person;
• armrests with regulator;
• locking wheels;
• brake for stable parking.

The difference between mechanical and electrical models

A manual orthopedic wheelchair has a more simplified mechanism compared to the electric version. Some devices have the function of replacing pneumatic wheels. This allows you to use the stroller not only at home, but also outside. For active disabled people this option is most convenient.

Hooks for umbrellas and bags add functionality to the stroller. This is convenient for shopping and self-service.

According to reviews, it is beneficial to purchase a folding model. It is convenient to store it at home or transport it in the trunk of a car, as it takes up little space. From a medical point of view, it is important to choose a stroller with an easy ride so that it is not difficult for a person to control it with his hands.

When there is a need to buy a wheelchair for the disabled, it is important to study the features of the models presented and make the right choice, taking into account the individual characteristics and needs of the patient. How much a wheelchair costs is determined by what type it is and what options its design provides. There are usually two main types of these devices:

Manual wheelchairs

This wheelchair for the disabled is driven by the muscular strength of the arms. At the same time, the ability to move with the help of an accompanying person is also preserved - for this purpose, handles are placed on the back. Manual strollers are equipped with large diameter rear wheels. They have an outer rim so you can spin the wheels without touching the tires, which could get dirty. It is necessary to purchase a manual wheelchair if the patient has a partial impairment of the functions of the musculoskeletal system, but can move independently in a wheelchair.

Manual wheelchairs come in a wide range of models. Developers of rehabilitation equipment are continuously improving the characteristics of their products, trying to make them more reliable and convenient.

Indoor and walking chairs for disabled people

Let's say you need to purchase a manual model. Now you need to consider the conditions under which it will be used. You can choose a wheelchair for home or outdoor use. They differ in the type of tires. Indoor strollers have alloy tires, while strollers have wheels with pneumatic tires. The difference is due to the nature of the surface on which the wheelchair for the disabled moves.

Pneumatic tires are better suited for street surfaces; they absorb uneven road surfaces well, providing the owner with a higher level of comfort. The disadvantage of such tires is their lower reliability and the need for periodic inflation. Molded stroller tires for indoor use do not require such maintenance, but they do not have good shock-absorbing characteristics. For different conditions of use, you should choose different strollers to avoid inconvenience during use.

Manual wheelchairs designed for the movement of people who have problems with the functioning of the musculoskeletal system in the postoperative period. Such devices are made to provide people with the maximum level of comfort.

Areas of application

Manual wheelchairs are widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. They will help transport patients to operations, take them for walks or for procedures. Such models are popular in military hospitals and nursing homes.

Considering the fact that wheelchairs are “second” legs for people with disabilities, the requirements for their choice are quite high.
A manually operated product is ideal for a person who led an active lifestyle before the injury.
When choosing a stroller, you need to pay attention to:

• chair width – the distance between the patient’s hips and the chair should not exceed 5 cm;
• seat depth - if you choose it incorrectly, there is a high probability of a person tipping over;
• The external dimensions of the chair must be selected so that the device allows the patient to move freely.