How to Fit a Wheelchair

Wheel chairs are essential to those who cannot walk. They are like a person's feet. For paralyzed or disabled people not having a suitable wheel chair, it's much like someone wearing the wrong size shoe. It can be very uncomfortable for the rider. If the wheel chair is not properly fitted for the rider, it can cause severe long-term issues like pelvic obliquity, scoliosis, or worse. The process to properly fit a rider to the appropriate wheel chair only takes a few minutes.

Instructions

• 1

  Measure the distance from the inside of the riders knee to the base of the heel. Add 2 inches for a comfortable chair height. This will provide the height of the chair seat to the floor. If the seat of the wheel chair is going to have a cushion subtract the thickness of the cushion from the original number. The rear seat height will be approximately the same. In some cases it may be an inch or two shorter to allow for a comfortable sitting position.

• 2

  Measure the rider's waist, at the hips. Divide this number by two. Add approximately 5 to 10 inches to this number. This will provide a comfortable seat width. The rider should be able to shift his weight around in the chair, and have enough room for bulky winter clothing.

• 3

  Measure the distance from the inside of the knee to the rider's spine. Subtract 5 inches from this number to obtain an appropriate seat depth.