Wheelchair Measurements

1. Leg length/ seat to footplate length

1.1. From bottom of shoe to just below thigh in popliteal fossa

1.2. problems : Too long will promote sacral sitting & forward sliding; too short will promote uneven wt bearing distribution on thigh; too short will promote excessive wt distribution on ischial seat

2. Seat Height

2.1. leg length +2"

2.2. Minimal foot/floor clearance is 2"

3. Back height

3.1. seat platform to lower angle of scapula, midscapula, top of the shoulder on desired support.

3.2. problems: Too much causes difficulty transfers; Too much can prevent pt from hooking onto push handle for stabilization & wt. relief

4. Seat width

4.1. Width of hips at widest part +2"

4.2. Problems: Too wide cause difficulty reaching; too narrow causing pressure on lateral pelvis

5. Seat Depth

5.1. posterior buttock to popliteal fossa. -2"

5.2. problems: Too short fails to support thigh; too long compromise posterior knee circulation

6. Arm Rest Height

6.1. Hanging elbow height +1"

6.2. problems: too high will cause shoulder elevation; too low will will cause forward bending