When scooters and manual wheelchairs no longer offer enough support, a power wheelchair will become essential for daily life with Duchenne muscle dystrophy (DMD). But they’re not one-size-fits all.
Much like buying a car, choosing a power wheelchair means making choices about models, drivetrains, features and more. Here we take a look at some of the basic aspects.
What are the basic components of a power wheelchair?
A power wheelchair is much more than a chair on wheels. The basic structure of a power wheelchair includes the following parts:
Base: The base of a power wheelchair is the portion below the chair, and consists of the motor, batteries, electronics and wheels.
Drive system configuration: The drive system describes which of the chair’s wheels are connected to the motor. The most common is mid-wheel drive; this option has a tighter turning radius and is best for navigating tighter spaces. Front-wheel drive offers good stability on inclines but can fishtail at faster speeds. Rear-wheel drive is best for faster speeds and diverse terrain, but has a larger turning radius.
Wheel configuration: Different drive systems have different wheel configurations; all include larger drive wheels powered by the motor, and smaller castors that provide stability. Mid-wheel drive uses a larger powered wheel in the center of the base with smaller caster wheels both in front of and behind the powered wheel. Front-wheel drive has the large powered wheel in front and a castor in the back. Rear-wheel drive places castors in front of the larger powered wheel.
Power seating: Power seating functions use the wheelchair’s motor to change the position of the seat; this can help with many aspects of daily life, from reducing pressure sores to supporting breathing. Power recline leans the backrest back, increasing the angle between the backrest and the seat (it’s somewhat similar to leaning back a living room recliner chair). Power tilt-in-space also leans the seat back, but it keeps the angle between the backrest and seat the same.
What are other key elements?
Drive controls: Steering a power wheelchair has moved far beyond a hand-controlled joystick: A variety of drive and control options are available depending on disease progression and personal preference. Options include foot, head, mouth or chin controlled joysticks, breath activation and eye-gaze technology.
Elevating mechanisms: Power wheelchairs can have functions that raise the height of a user. Seat elevation raises the height of the seat, which can make transfers easier. Some power wheelchairs also have seat systems that hold the user in a fully upright position.
How can a power wheelchair be customized?
Power wheelchairs can be extensively adapted and customized to fit individual needs. Here are a few features that you may want to include and customize.
- Tires can be selected to fit individual needs, such as tires with tread designed for outdoor use.
- Seats can be molded and contoured for comfort and to help with pressure management.
- Head rests, leg rests and arm rests can be indidually selected to provide the right support for the body, as can lateral pelvis, trunk, thigh and knee supports.
- Elevating leg rests can be used to avoid edema and manage muscle contractures.
- A firmer back rest can be selected to support the spine and delay the onset of scoliosis.
Choosing the right power wheelchair means doing some research and getting to know the different features available, then choosing what fit your needs.
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