Wheelchair For Amputee: Discover Your Ideal Choice

Wheelchairs are important mobility aids for amputee patients as they improve their quality of life. These specialized wheelchairs assist individuals who have undergone limb amputation, providing them with independence, comfort and the ability to perform daily activities easily. One should also consider the different wheelchair types, as each has unique features vital for the user.

The Best Wheelchairs for a Leg Amputee

Manual Wheelchairs

These popular wheelchairs are propelled by the user or an assistant, making them ideal for leg amputees. They are often lightweight and durable and offer a good balance between support and maneuverability. Many manual wheelchairs can be customized with features like amputee supports, which give extra stability by adding weight to the back of the chair to prevent tipping.

If you plan to buy a wheelchair, Aracent Healthcare has the Tracer SX5 Lightweight Wheelchair. It's a lightweight manual wheelchair that weighs less than 36 lbs. It also has multiple seat width options and adjustable rear tippers to prevent the user from tipping backward accidentally. It uses a durable, low-maintenance carbon steel frame that will last a long time with the user.

Power Wheelchairs

These are electric-powered and controlled using a joystick or other adaptive controls. Power wheelchairs are ideal for leg amputees who may lack the upper body strength to propel a wheelchair over long distances or rough terrain manually. They offer several advanced features, such as tilt, recline and elevating seat functions, greatly increasing the comfort level and providing postural support for users.

Lightweight and Ultra-Lightweight Wheelchairs

These chairs are specifically made for easy transport and maneuverability. They are constructed from aluminum or titanium, making them strong and lightweight. For leg amputees, these wheelchairs reduce the physical strain of moving the chair and are easier to handle, especially for those who maintain an active lifestyle. This type can also benefit you if you need a wheelchair for a double amputee user.

Another product from Aracent Healthcare's lightweight wheelchair category is the Tracer EX2 Wheelchair. It nearly weighs the same as the Tracer SX5 Lightweight Wheelchair, but this one lets users add an Amputee Axle Attachment accessory. This accessory shifts the wheelchair's center of gravity backwards slightly to compensate for the lack of front-loaded weight from the missing legs. This allows the user to propel the wheelchair with less effort.

Sports Wheelchairs

These are special wheelchairs built for people who wish to engage in sports and physically demanding activities. While it's mostly beneficial for users with upper body strength, it gives the user optimal wheelchair movement. Sports wheelchairs are perfect for active leg amputees as the wheels are cambered closer to their shoulders, preventing shoulder strain for long periods.

Heavy-Duty Wheelchairs

Heavy-duty wheelchairs are robust and durable to accommodate larger users. Certain leg amputees may depend too much on wheelchairs that some might gain weight. Once they notice an increase in body mass due to reduced physical exertion each day, they’ll need a heavy-duty wheelchair as they have wider seats and a sturdier frame that supports 300 pound users.

Fortunately, Aracent Healthcare has the Tracer IV Heavy-Duty Wheelchair. It has gusseted sides, caster journals and dual cross-braces for frame reinforcement. This wheelchair model also has sturdy inner liners to keep the seat and back from stretching. It supports 350 lbs. weight capacity or 450 lbs. with the HD package that includes upgraded rear wheels and casters.

Key Considerations for Purchasing a Wheelchair for Leg Amputees

• Comfort and Support. Comfort is essential for wheelchair users, and ensuring sufficient support is vital for leg amputees. Choose wheelchairs with adjustable seating options, backrests and added supports like cushions or padded armrests.
• Stability and Safety. Leg or bilateral amputees need stability to avoid tipping or accidents, particularly when navigating uneven terrain. Wheelchairs with anti-tip devices and a lower center of gravity provide excellent stability. Some wheelchairs can be installed with clothing guards between the arm rests or the side of the cushion to stop clothes from tangling with the wheels.
• Stump Support. If you are a below knee amputee, you should have a stump rest fitted to your chair. The stump rest should be at a comfortable height to avoid muscle strains after a while. 
• Powered or Manual Wheelchairs. Powered wheelchairs are beneficial for leg amputees who don't want to exert too much effort. However, they are fairly heavy and needs to be charged once drained. On the other hand, manual wheelchairs are lighter and don't need batteries to be operated.

Important Wheelchair Features for Leg Amputees

• Residual Limb Supports. Specialized padding and supports are designed to secure and stabilize the residual limb, and used as an alternative to conventional leg rests.
• Amputee Axle. To compensate for the reduced weight in the front of the wheelchair of single or bilateral amputees, these attachments are added to the axle to shift the center of gravity backwards. This improves stability and allows for a more efficient exertion of energy when propelling the wheelchair.
• One-Arm Drive. For use by a single arm amputee, these devices allow the user to propel and steer their manual wheelchair using one arm. They are available in various forms, but most commonly with a cyclical lever or dual-function handrim.
• Anti-Tip Devices. Rear anti-tip bars or wheels stop the wheelchair from tipping backward, which is important when the user shifts their center of gravity.
• Anti-Rollback Device. These devices are designed to automatically lock the wheel hubs of the chair to prevent unwanted roll back when transferring out of the seat. This is an especially important consideration for amputees who may face additional challenges transferring from the wheelchair.

Need a Wheelchair for Below Knee Amputees? Choose Aracent Healthcare!

You won't have any trouble getting the right wheelchair when you turn to Aracent Healthcare. You can find different types of wheelchairs that will suit the needs of leg amputees. We also offer upgrades and replacement parts if you want to customize your wheelchair further and make it your own.

Call us now if you need expert advice on choosing a proper wheelchair.