Wheelchair Fitting
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
A properly fitted wheelchair provides comfortable seating and good back support, improving posture ultimately optimizing function. It has been estimated that 80-90% of individuals are not properly fitted in their current wheelchair as their bodies and needs change over time. Improperly fitting wheelchairs can lead to medical problems such as skin breakdown from pressure and rubbing, blood clots from poorly fitting seats and posture issues from misalignments.
The ideal sitting position for most people in a wheelchair follows the 90-90-90 rule; 90° bend in the hips. 90° bend in the knees and 90° bend in the ankle.
Measures of Wheel Chair Fitting[edit | edit source]
Wheelchair fitting focuses on six measurements.
- Seat width: It is measured from the widest aspect of the user’s buttocks, hips or thigh. It should be wide enough to avoid pressure on the hips. Average adult size is 18 inches.
- Seat depth:
- Seat height:
- Footrest length:
- Armrest length:
- Height of the back of the chair:
