Tips To Keep Your Wheelchair Running Smoothly

By: Megan Murphey, PT, DPT, ATP, NCS

Why is it so important to maintain my wheelchair?

Poor wheelchair maintenance increases the risk of your wheelchair breaking down, which can lead to personal injury or even death and increase the cost of your medical care. Additionally, wheelchair breakdown can limit your mobility and social participation.

What research tells us about wheelchair maintenance

According to a 2016 study, up to 18% of wheelchair users experience a wheelchair-related injury each year. Furthermore, 44-57% reported at least one wheelchair breakdown in the past six months. Of these, 20-30% of users stated that because of the breakdown, they missed work and appointments, were stranded at home or away from home, or were injured.

What can you do to maintain your wheelchair?

  • Perform routine inspections on your wheelchair
  • Perform simple maintenance such as cleaning your equipment, tightening loose bolts, and making minor adjustments
  • Have your wheelchair inspected and serviced annually by your wheelchair provider just like you would your car

Before you begin:

  1. Do NOT perform any maintenance on your wheelchair that you do not feel comfortable doing!
    • Who is your vendor? Always keep their contact information with you
    • Call your wheelchair vendor if you need help with ANY repair or maintenance needs
    • Your therapy team may also be able to help if they are trained in wheelchairs
  1. If you are performing the maintenance yourself, make sure to transfer to a stable and protected surface to sit on.
  1. Gather your tools. Helpful tools to have on hand include:
    • Screwdrivers
    • Allen wrenches
    • Combination wrenches
    • Lubricant
    • A tire lever
    • A tire pump
    • A tire patch kit
    • A bucket with water
    • A cloth
  1. Begin your maintenance! Here is a checklist of items on your wheelchair to inspect regularly:
    • Axel hub
    • Handrims
    • Rear wheel bearings
    • Rear wheel spokes
    • Tire condition
    • Wheel locks
    • Tire pressure
    • Wheel alignment
    • Caster flutter
    • Floating casters
    • Wheelchair frame
    • Caster wheel bearings
    • Powerchair shroud
    • Powerchair frame
    • Powerchair suspension
    • Powerchair motor disengagement
    • Powerchair motor
    • Powerchair breaking system
    • Joystick
    • Chairing the powerchair
    • Power seat functions
    • Electrical wiring and wire connections

In this video playlist on our YouTube channel, we’ll guide you through each of the items on your wheelchair maintenance checklist to learn how to properly inspect your wheelchair.

Sheltering Arms Institute has an in-house wheelchair clinic at our Short Pump location and provides seating and wheeled mobility needs to individuals recovering from an array of injuries, illnesses, and conditions. To learn more about our wheelchair clinic or to contact a specialist, please visit www.shelteringarmsinstitute.com/conditions-and-services/wheelchair-clinic or call (804) 764-1000.

References:

SCI Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center 2018: Maintenance Guide for Users of Manual and Power Wheelchairs; www.msktc.org/sci/factsheets

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