Narrow Wheelchairs and Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, movement and/or feeling. They typically result from accidents or diseases like polio, spina bifida or Friedreich’s ataxia. The spinal cord does not have to be severed for a loss of function to occur. In fact, in most people with a spinal cord injury, the cord is intact, but the damage to it results in loss of function. There are two types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. Read more about spinal cord injury.

Many with severe spinal cord injuries require the use of a specialized power wheelchair. Quantum Rehab®, the global leader in individualized power chairs, puts an emphasis on mobility technologies specific toward the needs of those with spinal cord injuries. The Edge 3 Stretto™ narrow wheelchair is compatible with many options for power positioning, drive controls and power seating.

An individual living with SCI may need power positioning on his or her narrow wheelchair to help maintain proper comfort, skin integrity, positioning and function. Quantum Power Chairs incorporate power-adjustable seating for user repositioning and comfort to meet an individual’s current and future needs. TRU-Balance® 3 Power Positioning Systems on narrow electric wheelchairs offer a wide range of options when it comes to adjusting the positioning of the seating, including power tilt, power recline, power tilt and recline, power articulating leg rests, power articulating foot platform and iLevel®. TRU-Balance 3 provides an appealing look and feel and maximizes functional independence.

Quantum Power Chairs feature the latest advanced technologies to increase the independence of those living with spinal cord injuries. Optional iLevel® seat elevation technology is compatible with the Edge 3 Stretto and allows a user to operate the power chair at seated or standing height. The wheelchair user can elevate 12 inches while driving at 3.5 mph, helping them complete Mobility Related Activities of Daily Living (MRADLs), such as reaching, grooming, cooking, toileting and transferring.

Patients with SCI may benefit from Q-Logic 3 Advanced Drive Controls, an adaptable, expandable controller system that maximizes user independence. Bluetooth® is also integrated into Quantum’s Q-Logic 3 electronics, so those with spinal cord injuries can control much of their environment with the power chair drive control, itself. Learn more about Q-Logic 3’s features.

If you are looking to purchase a narrow wheelchair, check out our article on how to buy a narrow wheelchair.

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