Manual Wheelchairs
A Variety Of Choices In Mobility
 Manual
wheelchairs come in a wide variety of styles so they can
accommodate many needs. These make it easier for you to get around whether you need one for the long term or
just while you are recuperating from illness or injury. This type of wheelchair is fairly lightweight and
easily portable. There are also fairly inexpensive so if you have to pay for one out of pocket, the cost
isn't prohibitive in most cases.
If your doctor confirms your wheelchair is medically
necessary, your insurance will probably pay for all or part of the cost. If you have to pay for one yourself,
you can expect to pay from around $100 to several hundred dollars. If you look around you may be able to pick
up a used wheelchair for much less.
Even if you have a motorized wheelchair, it is a good idea to have a manual one
on standby. That way you can get around if your electric chair becomes inoperable. Manual wheelchairs are also
less cumbersome and you may choose to use it over a motorized one in certain circumstances. Transporting them
is much easier too since they will often fit in the trunk or back seat of your car.
Manual wheelchairs are called that because they are
propelled by your feet or you can power them by rolling the wheels with your hands. A companion can also power
the wheelchair by pushing it behind you. There are chairs for kids and large people that weigh over 250 pounds.
You can even buy beach wheelchairs that have special wheels that maneuver through sand.
Ultra lightweight manual wheelchairs can weigh as little
as 14 pounds and fold down for easy portability. If you have special medical needs that require you to be seated in
various tilted positions, you can buy customized manual wheelchairs for that purpose that also support your head
and legs. There are also reclining seats that offer improved back support over the standard chairs.
Choosing the best chair for you depends upon how you want to use it. If you need to
maneuver through narrow hallways, a transport wheelchair might be a good choice since it is narrower than most
others and is lightweight with small wheels. Standard manual wheelchairs offer few options and are not recommended
for more than four hours of use per day unless you enhance them with foam cushions and other types of
support.
If you plan to use a manual wheelchair for several hours per day, you may want to
choose a lightweight model as these come in a wider variety of styles and have more options. These have adjustable
seats and a broad range of seat sizes and heights. You can also choose various arm rest and leg rest options with
these.
The price of manual wheelchairs is influenced by the options you choose and the
construction materials. Steel is the most durable but it is heavy, so many of the lightweight wheelchairs are made
from aluminum. This makes them lighter but also shortens their lifespans. Titanium has the strength of steel and is
very lightweight but it is quite expensive.
The lifespan of manual wheelchairs that are well cared for and used primarily
indoors, should be around five years. However, if you spend a lot of time outside in your chair or have to jar it
going up or down stairs, then the wear and tear may cause problems with the caster connections or cross
brace.
Your doctor or physical therapist can help you determine the type of wheelchair best
for your situation and assist you in getting insurance coverage as well.
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Manual Wheelchairs To Wheelchairs
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