[Gary Anderson]

Here's a question.

I have just been to visit a colleague. Broke his neck badly last September and, after 8 gruelling months of physio/rehab he is now due to get home at the end of June. He cannot wait.

The question he asked me was this - Why do hospitals put you in manual wheelchairs even when you have limited movement?

I was dumbstruck. As you know, I have learned a helluva lot from these boards about quads (and paras) and have actually put some of the answers into practice. This poor guy has some movement in his right arm and limited in his left. Honestly, to propel a manual wheelchair it takes him AGES. He inches across the room ever so slowly.

So, why do they not put you in an electric wheelchair. I told the guy that when he got home he should use some of his compo to buy an electric one and stuff the OTs. However, not sure if that is the best advice.

I find it hard enough and my right arm works pefectly - my left is not so hot after my recent accident - so at times it appears that I am going around in circles - unless I can find someone who will push me.

Anyone got any theories on this? Do we just stuff the OTs when we get out - or not?

[Lucydog]

Actually my husband is an OT However I suspect the real reason manual chairs are used is that its all about cost. You can get a lot more big unweildy manual chairs (dont get me started on wheelchair services!) that can be used for a broad range of patients thanm the cost of a couple of decent electric chairs. I suspect upkeep is less too. Thats just my suggestion.

[Apparelyzed]

The heavy wheelchair is more likely to help build your muscles up more quickly than a lightweight chair.

It's a bit like permanant weight training. When I first got up from bedrest, I was given an Everest & Jennings steel wheelchair. It weighed a tonne, and took me ages to push anywhere, as I'm a c5/6, but boy did it build my shoulders up!

I'd keep the heavy chair for about the first 12 months, as they are not suitable for long term use due to shoulder wear, but they do help get your stamina and strength up to speed after your injury.

I personally wouldn't get an electric chair unless I was very weak, as once you stop pushing, your arm muscles start to atrophy, which makes other stuff like transfering, lifting your legs etc harder.

"Use it or lose it" is my opinion!

Simon

[Gary Anderson]

Thanks Simon

Quote

"Use it or lose it"

I remember you telling me that before. However, I think I have lost it!

[kanga2433]

Everest and Jennings! That brings back memories or horrible 50lb wheelchairs with caster flap as I piled down the hill back home from shopping! I pushed these heavy things for a quite a while and perhaps they are the cause of my bad shoulders snow.

Back to the question, in rehab, who knows who will or will not be able to push a wheelchair? Given the choice I'm sure lots of patients who go to an electric chair and miss out on the exercise and the muscle building and the greater choice a manual chair brings. Simon would no doubt not have had the chance to buidl muscles and use a manual chair.

[Gary Anderson]

Thanks for the replies.

I guess I just felt sorry for my mate who has very little movement and is going around inch by painful inch in a manual chair. I KNOW it builds muscle but surely to God he could be given something a bit easier. It breaks his wife's heart to watch him coming towards her and naturally she feels the need to push him.

Let's face it, this is the rest of his life we are talking about. Imagine going shopping at that speed, it would take him forever.

[Betsy]

Again, I will add what some of the other people have. I wondered the same thing with a relative. If you use a motorized wheelchair, there is little chance you will gain strength and possibly later movement. You want to use manual as long as possible.