A wheelchair for the elderly and sick people, children with cerebral palsy has long been an indispensable tool that expands their capabilities and allows them to improve the quality of life. In the modern medical equipment market, these rehabilitation tools are presented in a huge variety. Let's talk in this article about what the main types of wheelchairs exist and in which cases it is worth choosing a particular model
Types of wheelchairs
There is no strict classification of these products. Let's name the main varieties – each of them is preferable depending on the patient's condition, his disease, medical indications and the specifics of the appointment.
Wheelchairs are an option for temporarily immobilized patients, in which the possibility of their independent movement is excluded. The transfer is performed only with the help of an attendant.
Wheelchairs. Movement can be carried out both with the participation of an assistant and with the efforts of the patient himself. For this purpose, the equipment is usually equipped with special levers, an electric drive or rims built into the wheel – for manual control.
The technique of the latter type is widely used in everyday life, giving disabled people the opportunity to take walks, to lead – as far as possible – an active lifestyle. Strollers can be folding or on a monolithic frame, equipped with a head, body and leg lock, as well as footrests and other functionality. Let's list the main types of wheelchairs.
Active wheelchairs
Suitable for people with limited loss of motor capabilities (for example, with paralysis of the lower extremities). Designed for the independent movement of a disabled person with the application of their own efforts. These are lightweight wheelchairs – the frame is made of durable composite materials of small (in comparison with steel) weight, for example, aluminum alloy. It can be either monolithic or collapsible. The whole product usually weighs from 7 to 10 kg.
Fundamental differences of the models:
maximum simplicity of design;
increased diameter of the rear wheels;
manual wheel control;
short armrests (so as not to interfere with the movement of the hands);
a special rim attached to the wheel.
The control is carried out as follows: the rim is driven by the hands, it transmits torque to the wheel. The size of a wheelchair of this type is usually smaller than the standard one, the backrest is lower, and the pneumatic wheels are narrower, which makes the wheelchair more mobile, fast and maneuverable.
Today, active wheelchairs are widely used not only in domestic conditions. Due to their lightness and maneuverability, they give people with limited mobility the opportunity to take part in competitions, professional dance competitions and other events.
Strollers
They are made in various versions. As a rule, they have a lightweight design, allowing for long walks over considerable distances. Among the two important features that allow you to make street strollers as comfortable as possible:
the presence of shock absorbers in most models – thanks to them, when the stroller moves on the ground or uneven hard surfaces, the vertical load on the spine is leveled;
pneumatic wheels facilitate sliding and also dampen vertical loads.
However, the wheels of such strollers can also be rigid (for example, made of molded polyurethane foam). In this case, the most comfortable walk will be on an asphalt or tiled path.
Electric strollers
Wheelchairs of this type are divided into folding and monolithic, lightweight or on a steel frame. Their main feature is the presence of a removable battery and an electric drive, with which a patient in a wheelchair can move independently. The control panel is securely fixed in the armrest. The chair is set in motion or stops at the touch of a button.
Such wheelchairs are suitable for the house and the street – with their help you can take long walks without the direct participation of an accompanying person.
However, there is another type of electric drive models – this is equipment with an electric set-top box. This option is suitable for outdoor walks. The product is a structure made of a solid frame, steering wheel and pneumatic wheel. Features:
manual steering;
all switches and the brake system drive are located on the handles;
various ways of attaching the attachment to the frame of the stroller (side or center);
the possibility of adjusting the electric set-up in height and angle of inclination.
Such an electric drive can be installed on almost any wheelchair structure. Charging the battery lasts from three to six hours for a distance of up to 30 kilometers or more, it is possible to drive on an inclined terrain.
Children's wheelchairs
Separately, it should be said about children's wheelchairs. These technical means are always selected taking into account the age and size of the child, as well as his physical condition and capabilities. For example, for children with cerebral palsy, the most suitable options are structurally reminiscent of wheelchairs for adults:
according to the type of frame – folding and ungainly;
they have a high back;
equipped with special pillows;
be sure to be equipped with footrests;
they have a head lock and straps to secure the body in the correct position;
they can have an abductor to dilute the hips and maintain the correct position of the pelvis.
Most of the nodes in modern models (backrest, footrests, seat, etc.) are adjustable in height and (or) angle of inclination, which allows you to take into account the anatomical features of a growing child's body and maintain the necessary level of comfort in the chair.
Also, children's models can have an electric drive. If the physiological capabilities of the child allow, you can also use active strollers with manual drive. In this case, it is important to take into account the weight of the entire structure – the frame can be made of steel (suitable for teenagers) or durable aluminum alloy (for younger children).
Other types of wheelchairs for the disabled
In addition to these types, there are still some varieties. For example, lever strollers – the role of the drive in them is played by hand levers fixed in the armrests. The models are good because they are suitable for patients with partial paralysis: if one limb is immobilized, then with certain simple skills, you can control the entire structure with only one hand – using one lever.
Also worth mentioning are toilet-shower wheelchairs - a universal medical device for adults and children with cerebral palsy. The products allow you to perform all the necessary sanitary and hygienic procedures with maximum convenience for the patient.
Marking of wheelchairs
In September 2019, a pilot project of the Government of the Russian Federation was launched, according to which these technical means are subject to voluntary, and from 2021 – mandatory labeling. Currently labeled:
8713 10 – hand-operated strollers;
8713 90 – electric strollers.
On the left are the digits of the commodity nomenclature code (HS), which the products receive when labeling. In addition to the code, each product has its own unique serial number, verification code and key. All information about the product contained in the code can be read electronically.
The task that labeling is designed to solve is tracking and stopping the penetration of counterfeit, counterfeit and low–quality products into the market. The origin of this disabled equipment and its entire path from the manufacturer to the point of sale can now be traced at any stage. Thus, both retail chains and the end user get the opportunity to check the legal origin of the goods and its compliance with the characteristics declared by the manufacturer.
A wide range of modern wheelchairs is presented in the catalog of the Reamed store. Here you will find models for children with cerebral palsy and the elderly, options with manual and electric drive, universal models that are optimally suitable for both home and street. Each of the commodity items is accompanied by a detailed description. All products are certified. To choose the best option, we recommend consulting with your doctor before buying.
