Wheelchair Skills: Basic Skills

In this topic, we will cover the management of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).
This playlist introduces the basics of manual wheelchairs and gait training.
When prescribing manual wheelchairs, there are few important dimensions to be considered, such as wheelchair depth, wheelchair width, back height, etc. Once a patient is fitted in an appropriate wheelchair, several skills need to be trained to optimize the patient’s independence.
Gait training is done with patients with incomplete injuries using different assistive devices based on the patient’s abilities. Here we will show a suggested progression for gait training.
In this video, we will demonstrate basic wheelchair skills that we need to train our patients to do. These include propelling the wheelchair forward, turning around, going up and down inclines, among many others.
Physiotherapy Department - The University of Jordan

[@colintaylor8130]

This was very helpful in explaining what wheelchairs are for and how they are used to my three year old. Thank you.

[@bejo.gatotkacanew]

Terima kasih infonya sangat bermanfaat sekali buat saya 🙏🙏🙏👍🏽👍🏽

[@srcarolinholycross4058]

Please, show, Electrical,automatick, wheel chair management

[@mahatayseer]

Thank you for this comment 👍 I didn't show the powered wheelchair because we do not have one around. If I can get one, I will record videos on its use

[@mahatayseer]

I just remembered a useful source on power wheelchairs. Please check the following page:
www.youtube.com/@WheelchairSkillsProgram/playlists
This is from Dalhousie University, they have developed a program called Wheelchair Skills Program, they have useful information and videos. This is the link to the program page:
wheelchairskillsprogram.ca/en/

[@FlipMacz]

I go a lot faster and easier when I don't use my foot plate.

[@mahatayseer]

So, I guess you mean you propel with your foot? That can be one way to go, but some patients who can't use their feet are better having them on the foot support to raise them off the floor...

[@FlipMacz]

@mahatayseer no I don't propel with my feet. I still use the rims. I sit back far enough in the chair to where my feet don't even touch the floor they just kind of dangle. It's great for short trips.

[@mahatayseer]

@@FlipMacz I see, thanks for the explanation. I understand now. Just be careful not to use this for long times, for many reasons, one of which is that keeping your feet dangling might cause shortening in the calf muscle (the big muscle on the back of the leg), which might eventually lead to restriction in ankle movement.

[@FlipMacz]

@mahatayseer thank you! I did not know that. Yes, I use it only for quick grocery store.

[@mmagurl83]

Please, for the love of God do NOT do push the way this dude does 😂 This is IMPROPER push 101!
Reach BACK on the rims and PUSH! Let go! Swing your arms back and PUSH.. Use forward momentum by leaning forward with each push.

[@mahatayseer]

Thank you for bringing this up 👍 the way you described is the optimal propulsion technique 👏 unfortunately, Zaid (the guy in the wheelchair) was not demonstrating it because he kept changing directions and maneuvering around the environment. Plus, he is around 180 cm tall trying to fit in a small wheelchair 😏 So, all in all it wasn't the optimal situation for him. But, really thanks for describing the proper technique