Wheelchair Footrest

Wheelchair footrest

When wheelchairs were first created to help those who were injured or disabled enjoy greater mobility, styles were largely the same and were one-size-fits all solutions. Today, there is a wide array of wheelchair styles available on the market, as medical research has uncovered that the disabled and injured can have many different needs. Wheelchairs with footrests are among the most commonly sold types of chairs because they help to improve posture, more evenly distribute pressure throughout the body and make wheelchairs much safer for those who use them and their caregivers. Because every person has their own unique needs when it comes to wheelchairs, top manufacturers offer footrest wheelchairs in a wide variety of styles. No matter what type of footrest wheelchair is right for you or your loved one, you'll find a model to suit your needs here at Walgreens. Our wheelchair footrest collection contains many different solutions in motorized and traditional self-propelled models as well as in transport model sytles that are designed to be pushed by a caregiver.

Footrest designs

The basic wheelchair footrest is a metal hanger that is mounted on the lower frame of the wheelchair. In most designs, the angle of the hanger can be adjusted to provide a comfortable positioning for the legs. Most wheelchairs feature swing away footrests, which are hinged and can be opened outwards in order to make getting in and out of the chairs much easier. In some wheelchairs, the footrest can be removed completely. Footplates are an alternative to traditional footrests. The plates are solid bars that are welded to the bottom of the wheelchair and function like a ledge upon which the user can place his or her feet. Wheelchairs may feature fixed footplates, extra wide footboards and adjustable footplates, which can be tilted to different angles for the comfort of the user. Some footplate wheelchairs have a second bar welded halfway up the base of the chair. This bar is called a leg plate or leg rest and is used to provide support for the calves. In many cases, the type of footrest wheelchair that is right for an individual depends solely on personal preferences, but you should always check with your doctor to ensure that you or your loved one does not have any special requirements for footrest designs.