Menu
Close
Back
Welcome to
Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreA wheelchair is a chair with wheels for people who are not able to walk because of illness, injury, or disability. Wheelchair types include manual (self-propelled) and electric (power). Special pediatric wheelchairs are available that are sized to fit smaller children.
Pediatric cancer patients may use a wheelchair to get around more easily as they recover from surgery or illness. Other patients may need a wheelchair for long-term use to help with mobility in daily living.
A wheelchair is usually recommended by a health professional. A physical therapist or occupational therapist can identify the best type of wheelchair to meet patient and family needs.
Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other mobility aids can increase independence and improve quality of life for both patients and families.
During cancer, patients may use a wheelchair for different reasons. A wheelchair may help patients to:
Pediatric cancer patients may use a wheelchair to get around more easily as they recover from surgery or illness.
Different types of wheelchairs are recommended based on the needs of the patient and family. Some factors to consider include:
A manual wheelchair will meet the needs of most patients and families. Manual wheelchairs are lower cost and need less maintenance. They are pushed by a caregiver or wheeled by the patient (self-propelled). Power wheelchairs are good for patients who do not have the upper body strength to propel the chair themselves. Power chairs can be expensive, so they are usually not for short-term use.
Types of manual wheelchairs include standard wheelchairs, reclining wheelchairs, and custom wheelchairs.
A standard wheelchair is pre-made with set features.
A standard wheelchair is pre-made with set features. It usually has a soft seat, back support, arm rests, and leg rests that may be adjustable. The wheelchair can be folded for easier transport and storage. Standard wheelchairs tend to be lighter than reclining or custom wheelchairs.
Handles on the back of the wheelchair allow the chair to be steered by a caregiver. Large rear wheels with hand rims let a patient propel the chair using the upper body.
A wheelchair that is used for transport only (transport chair) may have four small wheels and is designed to be pushed by a caregiver.
A reclining wheelchair is like a standard chair, but the seat back can be reclined as needed.
A reclining wheelchair is like a standard chair, but the seat back can be reclined as needed. It typically has a soft seat, elevating leg rests, and head pillow. A reclining wheelchair can be folded for transport and storage but is often heavier and larger than a standard wheelchair.
Some reclining wheelchairs also offer a tilt system to help reduce pressure from sitting, manage swelling, and give additional options for positioning. Tilt wheelchairs are available as manual or power chairs.
A custom wheelchair is a seating system that is prescribed for patients with more support needs.
A custom wheelchair is a seating system that is prescribed for patients with more support needs. A custom wheelchair may have a specialized seat back, customized seat cushion, lateral trunk supports, chest harness, and adjustable arm, leg, or head rests or supports. More accessories are available to meet the specific needs of the user. Custom wheelchairs can also be made to recline or tilt back if needed.
Custom wheelchairs are more expensive than ready-made chairs. The final cost depends on features and customization. Custom wheelchairs also tend to be heavier and harder to transport. Some custom wheelchairs are more rigid and do not fold, but an advantage is that wheelchairs with fewer movable parts tend to last longer.
The cost of a wheelchair can vary widely. Wheelchair prices depend on type, features, and customization. A basic manual wheelchair often costs less than $500, with prices as low $100. However, a custom manual wheelchair can cost several thousand dollars. Power wheelchair prices generally range from $1,000 to $10,000. Renting a wheelchair may also be an option. Some hospitals may provide wheelchairs to families for short-term use.
Be sure to check with your insurance company before deciding on a wheelchair. Your insurance may cover some or all costs. However, there may be guidelines on the type of chair or the vendor that is approved by your insurance plan. You may also need specific documentation of medical need.
“Safety is the first thing we cover when educating patients and families on wheelchair use. Children and teens may push the limits of safety by going too fast or popping wheelies. We understand the importance of being a kid and wanting to have a little fun, but also want to emphasize safety for themselves and others.”
It is important for patients and families to watch for blisters and pressure sores that can develop from use of the wheelchair. Patients who self-propel their wheelchair may develop blisters on hands or fingers from repeated friction against the hand rims. Strain of the hand, elbow, or shoulder may also occur. Some wheelchair users may choose to wear gloves to protect their hands. For long-term users, ergonomic hand rims can help improve comfort and reduce strain.
Sitting in the wheelchair for long periods of time can also cause pressure sores. These sores can develop at any point of contact between the skin and chair surface. Some of the common places for pressure sores to develop in wheelchair users include the spine, sacrum, buttocks, ankles, and heels. Patients who are less mobile and stay in one position are at higher risk.
Check the skin regularly for blisters or sores. Be sure to let a care team member know about any skin changes. Special care may be needed for children who have treatment side effects such as skin problems, nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), or increased risk of infection.
Manual wheelchairs can be pushed by a caregiver or propelled by the user using the hand rims of the back wheels. Practice is needed to learn to self-propel a wheelchair. However, even younger children can become skilled at using a wheelchair.
The following tips provide basic information on using a wheelchair. However, your care team can provide specific information and training based on your wheelchair type and mobility needs.
Going forward in a wheelchair — To self-propel forward, grip the wheelchair hand rims near the back of chair. Push forward and down on the hand rims, and then let go. Move hands back to the starting position and repeat the motion.
Turning a wheelchair — To turn right, push forward on the left hand rim to propel the left wheel forward while slowing down or stopping the right wheel. To turn left, propel the right wheel forward while holding still or slowing down the left wheel.
Going backward in a wheelchair — To go backwards, grip the hand rims near the front of the chair. Push back and down to move the wheels backward. Anti-tips bars can be placed on the back of the wheelchair near the back wheels prevent backward tipping.
Stopping a wheelchair — To stop the wheelchair, grip the hand rims and use friction to slow them down. If the rims are wet, pinch the tire instead. Be careful, as this friction creates heat that can burn the hands, especially when on a slope or stopping suddenly.
Going up and down curbs or small steps in a wheelchair — The safest way to go up and down curbs is with caregiver assistance. If the user needs to negotiate a curb independently, more training and practice will be needed under supervision of a trained healthcare professional.
Going up and down ramps in a wheelchair — Take care to maintain control when going up or down ramps or slopes. If going up a ramp independently, the user should lean slightly forward and use quick, short pushes to help momentum. When going downhill, maintain friction on the hand rims to control speed. A caregiver should always assist on steep slopes. Keep the wheelchair straight when going up or down slopes so that the chair does not tip over.
Locking the wheelchair — All wheelchairs have locks on each rear wheel. Locks allow for safety transferring to and from the wheelchair and during transportation. These locks may be referred to as “brakes”. However, the locks do not function the same as a brake and are meant for locking the wheelchair for safety and not for slowing the wheelchair. Custom wheelchairs, including adaptive stroller wheelchairs, may have locks placed on the back of the wheelchair that are more convenient for caregiver use.
Using public transportation in a wheelchair — Wheelchair anchors and lap belts can be added to wheelchairs if needed for public transportation purposes. Please discuss this with your therapist, Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), or Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS).
—
Reviewed: February 2020