What is a potential consequence of poor wheelchair fit?

What is a potential consequence of poor wheelchair fit?

• A. Increased propulsion efficiency
• B. Improved skin integrity
• C. Pressure injuries, impaired circulation, pain, instability, and reduced mobility
• D. No adverse effects

Answer: (C)

Poor wheelchair fit disrupts how the body sits and moves in the chair, leading to uneven load distribution and unwanted forces. When the seating surface doesn’t support the hips, pelvis, and spine properly, weight is carried by small bony areas and tissues that aren’t meant to bear it, plus shear from sliding or sliding against the cushion. That combination reduces blood flow to those tissues, increasing the risk of pressure injuries. The misalignment also narrows circulation and creates muscle and joint strain, which can cause pain and fatigue. Instability arises because hips, pelvis, or feet aren’t well aligned, making the chair harder to control and increasing the chance of tipping or slipping. All of these factors together limit movement and functional participation. That’s why a poor fit can lead to pressure injuries, impaired circulation, pain, instability, and reduced mobility.

Poor wheelchair fit disrupts how the body sits and moves in the chair, leading to uneven load distribution and unwanted forces. When the seating surface doesn’t support the hips, pelvis, and spine properly, weight is carried by small bony areas and tissues that aren’t meant to bear it, plus shear from sliding or sliding against the cushion. That combination reduces blood flow to those tissues, increasing the risk of pressure injuries. The misalignment also narrows circulation and creates muscle and joint strain, which can cause pain and fatigue. Instability arises because hips, pelvis, or feet aren’t well aligned, making the chair harder to control and increasing the chance of tipping or slipping. All of these factors together limit movement and functional participation. That’s why a poor fit can lead to pressure injuries, impaired circulation, pain, instability, and reduced mobility.