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Measuring Tips for Walkers, Chairs, Canes, Crutches

by Kimberly Johnson

Measuring Tips for Walkers, Chairs, Canes, Crutches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6etSPfMucQ

How to Measure for a Walker Measuring Tips for Walkers, Chairs, Canes, Crutches

When preparing to buy a walker, you need to make sure it can accommodate your height, especially if you are very tall or short. You may need a special petite walker, or walker leg extensions. Get a friend or family member to help you measure yourself.

  1. Start by standing up straight with your shoes on.
  2. Allow your hands to hang naturally at your sides.
  3. Measure from the crease in your wrist to the floor.
  4. This length should be your handle height.
  5. If possible, choose a walker that adjusts at least one inch higher and lower than your actual measurement so you can adjust it as necessary.

Measuring for Crutch Length Measuring Tips for Walkers, Chairs, Canes, Crutches

A. IN LYING : (shoes on)

      • Elbow is flexed to 15 degrees; measurement is taken from the ulnar styloid process to a point 20 cm lateral to the heel of the shoe.

B. IN STANDING :

      • 2” laterally and 6” anteriorly to the foot.
      • Height should be adjusted with relaxed shoulders to provide 20-30 degrees of elbow flexion.

Wheelchair Measuring Guide

Wheelchair measurements are critical for everyday wheelchair users to have a comfortable and functional piece of equipment which will meet all their needs and provide for the best possible results. This guide is by no means etched in stone and often there are circumstances which require ignoring the basic rules of thumb for measuring a wheelchair however this guide is applicable to 90% of the wheelchair user population.
Seat Width: Seat width is usually the width of the user plus 1″
Seat Depth: Seat depth is usually the seat depth of the user less 1″ or 2″.
Seat Height: Seat height is usually the height of the user where they are able to access tables and tranfer without too much difficulty.
Footrest Length: The footrest should be the distance from the back of the knee to bottom of the heel while wearing the shoes the user usually wears.
Back Height: Back height will vary from user to user but normaly should be a little above the middle of the back around the bottom of the shoulder blades.
Note: When a wheelchair cushion is used, the thickness of the cushion has to be figured into the measurments for all of these parameters except the seat depth.

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