Resources

There is strong evidence of increased incidence of upper limb (UL) repetitive strain injuries (RSI) among manual wheelchair users. These injuries occur due to repetitive movements and result in muscle tears, inflammation, nerve impingement, bursitis, and pain. They primarily affect the shoulders, wrists, and elbows and can manifest as rotator cuff impairments, carpal tunnel syndromes, and "tennis elbow," among other symptoms.

Ambulation is a developmental milestone that enhances self-initiated movement and independent mobility. The complex task of walking occurs over many months of challenging one's body to stand up against gravity and move through space while instigating motor and sensory pathways in the brain.

This is a supplemental guide to summarize alternative drive options and switch access to other modes for a power wheelchair. This resource begins with considerations for the assessment, then reviews the basic characteristics of various input drive controls, and finally delineates the various proportional and non-proportional options available.

After considering the importance of drive wheel position and power seat function requirements, often the next step in prescribing a power wheelchair is deciding how a client will drive the wheelchair and manage any power seat functions.

Many strategies for providing postural support to clients are based on facilitating proximal stability for distal function or subjectively assessing their postural control. SATCo is an alternative assessment strategy used to objectively measure where to offer postural supports and where therapy should be focused to improve posture and balance.