A wheelchair is one of the best inventions that has helped many to freely move without depending on anyone for help. Thanks to the technological advances in the field of wheelchairs, there are different types available based on your requirements. In this article, we will unfold all the different types of wheelchairs so that you can choose the one which best suits your need.
When purchasing a wheelchair, it’s important to find a model that fits your body and matches your everyday needs. Different types of Wheelchair are:
Also Read: How to choose a wheelchair
1) Manual Wheelchair
Manual Wheelchairs were the first type of wheelchairs created. As the name suggested you need to move the wheelchair manually with your hands. The user moves the wheelchair by holding the wheels. Can move it forward, backward, and also pivots.
Types of Manual Wheelchairs
Basic: A basic wheelchair comes with the essential components, including foot and leg rests, and desk-length arms. The seat width range is typically between 16 to 20 inches.
Lightweight: Lightweight wheelchairs are designed for people who plan to travel with the chairs. These varieties usually include the option for an adjustable back height and quick-release wheel removal.
Bariatric: For patients who are bigger and cannot fit into the width of a basic wheelchair, bariatric chairs are the best option. These types are constructed to support up to 700 pounds, and they typically come in widths ranging between 24 and 30 inches.
Manual wheelchairs with one arm drive (Single Arm Wheelchair): If there’s one disadvantage of manual wheelchairs, it is that the user needs both arms to propel the chair. Manual wheelchairs with one arm drive solve this problem by connecting the two wheels with a specially-shaped axle, allowing you to move forward using only one arm.
2) Power Wheelchair / Electric Wheelchair
Just as the name suggests, these wheelchairs are powered by machines & thus are more convenient to use when compared to manual wheelchairs. This causes to have less fatigue compared to a manual wheelchair. They are comparatively a bit bulky as they come with a motor and a battery to operate the power wheelchair. There are 3 main types of power wheelchairs and the difference is based on the drive type. Drive type indicates the position of the wheels which are attached to the motor. These wheels are the largest of all the wheels.
Types of Power Wheelchairs
Rear Wheel Drive: In this type, there are 4 wheels attached to the wheelchair, 2 big wheels are at the back of the wheelchairs and 2 smaller ones are at the front side of the wheelchair. They are more comfortable and have better shock absorption capability. However, the downsides are that they have a bigger turning radius and thus not good in tight spaces and have poor obstacle capability.
Front-Wheel Drive: In this type, there are 4 wheels, however, the 2 big wheels are at the front of the wheelchair, which also increases the height of the wheelchair. They have a better obstacle handling capability but the turning radius increases (360*) due to the bigger wheels being on the front side. They are less user-friendly for someone just starting with them.
Mid Wheel Drive: Unlike the above 2 types, these have six wheels. 4 small wheels at the front & back & bigger wheels at the middle of the wheelchair. This position of the wheels gives them more stability. They are comfortable and have a smaller turning radius too. They are not always easy to get used to, also their obstacle handing capability is not as good as the front-wheel-drive wheelchair.
Pediatric wheelchairs are wheelchairs designed for kids. These again have all the wheelchair subcategories such as manual, powered, etc. However, some are designed to address specific disorders. The goal here is to quickly help children adapt to it. Most parents prefer to have one manual wheelchair, as it is simpler to use & can be used both indoors & outdoors.
There are options to design these wheelchairs in a fashion that the child likes. Fun colors and having them decked out can help children gain more confidence when with their peers.
4) Position Wheelchair
These are the type of wheelchair, which allow the user to move into different positions. It is an electric and battery-operated wheelchair. There is a variety of positions and styles available. A continuous sitting posture is not good and thus this type of wheelchairs helps the patient to move in various positions, giving some movement to them, which improves circulation.
Some help the users can raise and lower their feet, recline backward, some even allow the users to stand erect. A position wheelchair may have one or all of these positions, depending on the model and type opted by the user.
Types of Position Wheelchair:
Standing wheelchairs: As the name already suggests this type of wheelchairs is designed for use at the time of standing. Most models allow for reconfiguration so they can be utilized in both seated and standing positions. While not the most technically advanced design currently available, this type of chair has the distinction of turning the user into a kind of living Transformer, just like in the movies!
Reclining wheelchairs: An exceptional niche designed, offering all the benefits of a recliner, rolled into a wheelchair. These designs come with a pillow to offer greater comfort when resting in a reclined position. While it’s possible to nap in chairs of this type, you’ll almost certainly want extra padding if this is your intention.
Tilt wheelchairs: In the world of wheelchairs, this type of chair can even recline or tilt wheelchairs. They both accomplish the same primary goal, although they achieve it via different sort of means.
5) Sports WheelChair
Being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean you can’t participate in sports. These are specially designed wheelchairs (mostly are manual). They are available for various sports such as tennis, basketball, rugby, and racing.
Types of Sports Wheelchairs
Basketball Wheelchair: Unlike the standard wheelchairs, these wheelchairs have the wheels fit in a slanted position. They have good support for the body, which helps the player stay seated tight in their position. The legs have good support to ensure that there are no injuries if the players collide with each other.
Tennis Wheelchair: Just like the basketball wheelchair, the wheels, in this case, are fitted in a slanted position. Though these wheelchairs have two small wheels in front and rear to maintain balance.
Rugby Wheelchair: Wheelchair rugby is an intense game and thus the wheelchair has a front fender that protects the legs from clashes. They also have a design that can hold other wheelchairs in a tackle & some have wings in the front to avoid this.
Some other types of sports wheelchairs include football, racing, badminton & fencing wheelchairs)
6) Heavy-duty wheelchair
These are designed specifically to hold patients whose weight is greater than 250 lbs, but less than 300 lbs. The patient’s weight must be included on the Rx and in the office visit notes.
7) Extra heavy duty
This chair is designed for patients who weigh greater than 300 lbs. Again, the patient’s weight must be documented on the Rx and the office visit notes. If a patient’s weight cannot be obtained, this must be documented.
8) Lightweight wheelchair
This is a standard wheelchair that is configured to assist the patient in easier self-propelling inside the home. It does not necessarily weigh any less than a standard wheelchair and is not meant to be prescribed as a way to assist caregivers in transporting patients outside the home. There are also some ultralight wheelchairs available.
9) Transport Wheelchair
A transport wheelchair has 4 small wheels. The patient cannot self-propel and a caregiver must be available to assist the patient inside the home. Documentation is required in the office notes to explain why the patient cannot self-propel and that a caregiver is available.
10) Beach wheelchairs
Another highly specialized design, these are almost always made from PVC or hollow aluminum tubes, with almost cartoonishly large wheels to make it easier to traverse the sand. Just because you have mobility issues doesn’t mean you have to be limited in the things you can do or enjoy!
11) Ergonomic wheelchairs
An ergonomic wheelchair is the most used chair with the synthesis of a standard, manual wheelchair, with an ergonomic office chair with the superior support of lumbaristic. They’re ideal chairs for people who spend extended periods of time while sitting.
12) Wheelchair stretchers
Generally, these types of wheelchairs are not purchased for the home. Mostly used in hospitals and by EMT professionals. It is a kind that can move to 180 degrees, effectively making it a stretcher. You can get an idea about how it works in the video below.
Conclusion
There are tons of wheelchair types and choosing one out of the above options can be an overwhelming task. However, with expert guidance and speaking to experienced people, this choice can be simplified.
Originally published at https://www.prostheticsindia.org on May 3, 2021.