Positioning in Wheelchair
Why is it important to be positioned appropriately in the wheelchair?
- Effects of poor positioning
- Increased risk of skin breakdown
- Reduced ability to breathe deeply
- Reduced the ability to swallow
- Decreased ability to reach and balance
- Increased risk for spinal curvature
- Decreased line of sight
- Increased pain/discomfort
- Increased fatigue
Key points for positioning
- Hips/pelvis: This is the base or foundation of sitting. This area should be checked first.
- Bottom all the way back in chair
- Centered within confines of the wheelchair
- Top of pelvis should be level (left even with right)
- Knees should be even
- Trunk or chest
- Positioned in the middle of the backrest without leaning to one side
- Head
- Positioned in the middle, not leaning to one side
- The headrest should be positioned at the base of the head
- Legs and feet
- Thighs should be straight
- Knees level with hips
- Feet should make full contact on footplate
- Arms
- Adequate armrest height to meet and support the elbow and forearm
- Not too high and not too low
- Maintain position during weight shifts
How to reposition
- Please see Considerations for Body Mechanics for the Caregiver (Refer also to Body Mechanics video)
- Position of the wheelchair user
- Lean trunk forward, push hips back with knees
- Tilt wheelchair back to unweight hips, pull up and back on pelvis
