The Article Home

Information on Manual Wheelchair

A wheelchair is a device that aids mobility used by people who have difficulties in walking due to an illness or injury. This mobility device has wheels that can be propelled manually by hands or automatically using an electrical system.

The most common type of wheelchair used is a manual wheelchair. This type of wheelchair requires human control to propel them. There are three types of manual wheelchair. These are the self-propelled wheelchair, attendant-propelled wheelchair and the wheelbase.

The self-propelled type of manual wheelchair has big rear wheels measuring 20 to 26 inches in diameter and resembling bicycle wheels. The user can move the manual wheelchair by pushing the hand rims, which is a round steel tube located on the side of the wheels. Expert users can easily control the speed and turning as well as have the ability to balance the rear wheels doing a “wheelie”.

A single-arm drive enables the user to turn either left or right while the two-armed drive enables user to move forward or backward on a straight line. Another type of wheelchair commonly used is a lever-drive wheelchair. This type of chair enables the user to move forward by pumping the lever back and forth.

There are several types of manual wheelchairs that are designed for medical purposes. There is also a wheelchair made specifically for sports like the ones used for playing basketball. It can allow the user to move forward while dribbling the ball.

An attendant-propelled manual wheelchair is designed to be pushed by an attendant using the handles behind it. The back wheels are often rimless and are usually smaller than the self-propelled manual wheelchair. This type of wheelchair is normally used for moving patients to a different location like in hospitals and airports. Specialized wheelchairs are available in airlines and these are designed to fit the airplane aisles and seats.

Wheelbase chairs are platforms that have wheels with specially-made seating systems for patients with complex postures. This is made by taking a cast of a patient’s best seated position and then molding the shape from the foam. Afterwards, the seat is framed and attached to the wheelbase.

There is a wide variety of wheelchairs to choose from and the prices also vary considerably. Lightweight wheelchairs are more costly compared to entry-level, tubular chairs. This type of wheelchair is commonly used by people with long-term ailments and disabilities. The more expensive ones in the market are the ultra-light chairs that have fabricated seats, accessories and other special features.

[ad#ads]

Information on Wheelchairs: Different Types

A wheelchair is a type of chair that is attached to a frame and is mounted on wheels. This device is used for the mobility of sick, injured or handicapped people. Getting enough information on wheelchairs is necessary if you are interested in buying one. This is to be sure that you will get the perfect wheelchair that will suit your needs and preference.

When you use a wheelchair, it is very important to know its limitations in terms of its capability to avoid accidents. Also, you should get more information on wheelchairs regarding its safe and proper use.

The following information on wheelchairs below discusses the different wheelchair types:

• Manual Wheelchairs

This type of wheelchair is normally powered or propelled by the user by pushing the hand rims. The hand rims are round tubular bars that are outside the wheels. It also has handles at the back if you have someone to push it. This type of wheelchair is lightweight, easy to maintain and less expensive.

• Electric Wheelchairs

Electric wheelchairs are powered by motors and a battery. They are often considered a very sophisticated device because of their circuitry and function. They often use push buttons or a joy-stick controller to propel them. Because of their level of sophistication, some electric wheelchairs have the capability to climb stairs, move smoothly on gravel and can even elevate for reaching high areas like shelves. Electric wheelchairs are very heavy because of their strong and durable frames. However, electric wheelchairs are very expensive. The average cost is around $3,000 to $15, 000 and could sometimes reach up to $30,000.

• Sport Wheelchairs

Sport wheelchairs are designed for sports. They are often lightweight but very stable. The most common type of sport wheelchairs used is for basketball and for marathon.

• Dog Wheelchairs

Strange as it may seem but dog wheelchairs also exist. They are designed for helping injured or handicapped dogs. Most disability of dogs is caused by spinal cord problems or hip displacements and using a dog wheelchair is a very good way to help them regain their normal, healthy and happy life.

Acquiring information on wheelchairs can help you with your purchasing decision. You should also consider your preference and your condition to avoid making a regrettable choice. For more information on wheelchairs, it is best to visit a licensed dealer. It is also recommended that you try out several different wheelchairs to pick the perfect one for your condition.

[ad#ads]