Manual Wheelchair Types and Functions - Expert Explanation (with English Terminology)

Wheelchair (Manual Wheelchair) Explanation: To facilitate communication between users and industry professionals and to find relevant wheelchair functions, here are some common wheelchair industry terms and their functions:

Refers to a wheelchair that needs to be pushed by a caregiver, used for transferring.
Transit wheelchair: refers to a manual wheelchair with 18-inch rear wheels or smaller.
Chinese alternative names: 小轆 (small wheels), 細轆 (small wheels), 介護型輪椅 (nursing care wheelchair).

This refers to a wheelchair with handrims on the rear wheels, allowing users with upper body strength to propel themselves.
Refers to a manual wheelchair with 20-inch rear wheels or larger and handrims.
Alternative names: Wheelchair, 大轆 (large wheels), 自走型輪椅 (self-propelled wheelchair).

These are extremely lightweight wheelchairs.
Typically under 10kg, they can be placed in a car trunk or even taken on an airplane.
Usually made of aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, or even carbon fiber.

This is a type of large-wheel wheelchair that allows users to live an active life.
Active wheelchairs are characterized by high propulsion efficiency, customizability, lightness, and robustness.
Usually equipped with 22" - 24" large rear wheels and 3"-6" front casters for flexible turning and tilting.

This is a functional wheelchair that provides head and back support and pressure distribution.
Reclining refers to the function where the upper back can be reclined flat and the legs can also be elevated, often accompanied by orthopedic (Elevating Footrest)
Tilt-in-Space function wheelchairs allow the user's posture to remain unchanged while the entire seat rotates and tilts, changing the user's center of gravity to improve pressure distribution and blood flow.

This refers to armrests that can be flipped up, unlike fixed ones, making it convenient for transferring to and from a bed.
Alternative names/Hong Kong terms: Flip-able Armrest, 甩手 (detachable armrest).

This refers to footrests that can be completely removed, making it convenient for transferring to and from a bed, getting in and out of the wheelchair, and storing it in a car.
Alternative names/Hong Kong terms: Swing-away or detachable footrest/pedal, 甩腳 (detachable footrest).

This refers to footrests that can be elevated, designed for users who have undergone orthopedic surgery or sustained injuries to their lower legs.
Alternative names/Hong Kong terms: Orthopedic Legrest / 抬腿 (elevating leg rest).

This is a guard used to prevent users from rubbing against the wheelchair wheels, and it is almost essential for large-wheel wheelchairs.
Some newer small-wheel or travel wheelchairs may omit the side guard.

This is used to correct the sitting posture of users with hemiplegia/stroke/Parkinson's or poor posture.

You can enter relevant terms into the magnifying glass search bar at the top right of our website.

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