How to pick a wheel chair? [extra challenge: wrist pain]
March 24, 2015 11:21 AM Subscribe
My boyfriend has ankle pain that prevents him from doing much walking. This has trapped him in our apartment for nearly a year now. We want to buy a wheelchair so he can go do things again, but don't know how to pick one.
We are (and have been) pursuing medical appointments, etc, to try to get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing him pain. I'm not looking for advice on solving the larger problem here; we just want to get him out of the house on a regular basis for fun/social activities without causing him more pain/injury.
The relevant parts here are that he has ankle pain that increases the more he walks, to the point that a normal amount of walking causes enough pain that he can't sleep. He also has wrist pain, to the point that writing with pen and paper is a challenge most days; sometimes even type causes him pain. He has wrist and ankle braces; he wears the wrist braces in order to use a cane when he needs to leave the apartment for a doctor's appointment.
The doctors will not help us get a wheel chair and are strongly opposed, on the basis that he will lose more muscle the less he walks. They don't seem to understand that this will not decrease his walking -- it will just mean getting out of the apartment and sitting in a wheelchair instead of in a char at home. I have not been at the appointments where they have discussed this, but it is so frustrating that they have spent a year without providing a solution to this major problem (leaving the apartment). Between the pain and the lack of activity options/social activity, my boyfriend is pretty hopeless and depressed.
We think we want a manual wheelchair that either I could push him in or he could push himself. His wrists are a concern for pushing himself, but he'd like to at least try, to get the extra exercise. If necessary, we can spend up to a few thousand dollars on this, although less is, of course, preferable.
* How should we pick a wheelchair?
* What features should we be looking for?
* Is there anything that will make it easier on his wrists for him to propel himself?
* What other questions should we be asking?
We are (and have been) pursuing medical appointments, etc, to try to get a diagnosis and treatment for whatever is causing him pain. I'm not looking for advice on solving the larger problem here; we just want to get him out of the house on a regular basis for fun/social activities without causing him more pain/injury.
The relevant parts here are that he has ankle pain that increases the more he walks, to the point that a normal amount of walking causes enough pain that he can't sleep. He also has wrist pain, to the point that writing with pen and paper is a challenge most days; sometimes even type causes him pain. He has wrist and ankle braces; he wears the wrist braces in order to use a cane when he needs to leave the apartment for a doctor's appointment.
The doctors will not help us get a wheel chair and are strongly opposed, on the basis that he will lose more muscle the less he walks. They don't seem to understand that this will not decrease his walking -- it will just mean getting out of the apartment and sitting in a wheelchair instead of in a char at home. I have not been at the appointments where they have discussed this, but it is so frustrating that they have spent a year without providing a solution to this major problem (leaving the apartment). Between the pain and the lack of activity options/social activity, my boyfriend is pretty hopeless and depressed.
We think we want a manual wheelchair that either I could push him in or he could push himself. His wrists are a concern for pushing himself, but he'd like to at least try, to get the extra exercise. If necessary, we can spend up to a few thousand dollars on this, although less is, of course, preferable.
* How should we pick a wheelchair?
* What features should we be looking for?
* Is there anything that will make it easier on his wrists for him to propel himself?
* What other questions should we be asking?
Response by poster: I just want to highlight that he has pain both ankles and both wrists, so things that only take the weight off one side (like knee scooters) won't work for him.
We live in an accessible apartment/building, so getting out/in isn't a problem. Putting it in the car would require a fold-able wheelchair (two-door honda civic).
posted by triscuit at 11:42 AM on March 24, 2015
We live in an accessible apartment/building, so getting out/in isn't a problem. Putting it in the car would require a fold-able wheelchair (two-door honda civic).
posted by triscuit at 11:42 AM on March 24, 2015
Is he working with a physical therapist at all? If so, they would be a wealth of information about options and what would make the most sense for his particular situation. Maybe consider a consult if you're not already working with one.
posted by goggie at 11:45 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by goggie at 11:45 AM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: You don't give your location, but see if there is a Center for Independent Living near you. These are disability-led organizations that help people with disabilities to live independent lives that are integrated into their local community. It is possible that your local center will have a borrowing closet of equipment, or will be able to help you find and choose equipment that meets your needs.
posted by gauche at 11:50 AM on March 24, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by gauche at 11:50 AM on March 24, 2015 [5 favorites]
If you want to just try the mechanics of it all out and get a feel for what preferences and priorities the two of you might have, there are places that will rent wheelchairs, even for free—a supermarket pharmacy I used just required that you put down a deposit of $200 which was refunded in full when you returned it.
posted by XMLicious at 11:50 AM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by XMLicious at 11:50 AM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
Definitely rentable, as long as you live in a biggish city with medical supply places. They will most likely deliver, too. A cheap alternative is a "transport chair" which is a stripped-down wheelchair -- you or someone would have to push him, though, as it's not self-propelled. Those can be bought for around $150 and are smaller than a traditional wheelchair.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:57 AM on March 24, 2015
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:57 AM on March 24, 2015
Some businesses that advertize wheelchairs require a prescription (might be different for different states/countries).
Thrift stores and yard sales often have wheelchairs.
posted by yohko at 12:00 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Thrift stores and yard sales often have wheelchairs.
posted by yohko at 12:00 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
If he has so much pain in wrists that he can't write, then I think buying a wheelchair that requires the use of his wrists will be a big disappointment. It would be like buying an outfit several sizes too small because you're so sure that you're going to lose weight. Yeah, maybe you'll lose the weight, but more likely the outfit will just hang in the closet unused for the rest of your life. Same thing with a wheelchair that doesn't take his particular physiology into account. I think you should buy a chair that he knows he can use, not one that he wishes he could use.
posted by sam_harms at 12:08 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by sam_harms at 12:08 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Honestly, I'd say go for the free or cheap route. Put a post on Craigslist, neighborhood listservs, Facebook, Twitter with local hashtags, email all of your friends, etc. The website/app called Next Door is taking off in my region - not sure if it is in yours.
Just ask for a folding adult-sized wheelchair in good working order. I'm sure someone will be happy to give you the wheelchair they bought for a grandparent or after a surgery. Then you can see how you like it, and what features you'd like to have, and upgrade when needed.
Where are you located?
posted by barnone at 12:10 PM on March 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
Just ask for a folding adult-sized wheelchair in good working order. I'm sure someone will be happy to give you the wheelchair they bought for a grandparent or after a surgery. Then you can see how you like it, and what features you'd like to have, and upgrade when needed.
Where are you located?
posted by barnone at 12:10 PM on March 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
You can get lever-drive wheelchairs where you use a push/pull a lever motion instead of a push-the-wheel motion, which can be more friendly to people with hand/wrist/arm issues:
http://www.nu-drive.com/
http://riomobility.com/en/leverdrive/pivot-benefits.html
posted by jpeacock at 12:56 PM on March 24, 2015
http://www.nu-drive.com/
http://riomobility.com/en/leverdrive/pivot-benefits.html
posted by jpeacock at 12:56 PM on March 24, 2015
Best answer: Just ask for a folding adult-sized wheelchair in good working order.
The one caveat there is that it will likely be one that's heavy as sin and very, very hard to self-propel.
Kind of like bikes, this is very much a get-what-you-pay-for proposition.
So, in answer to your question, sounds like: Light, maneuverable and folding is what you're looking for.
I've met lots of people who use Quickie models - they make many types of ultralight chairs. Many of them weigh well under 30 lbs. These are definitely not your standard heavy hospital hallway wheelchairs.
This particular model only weighs about 20 pounds. That one's rigid, but they've got a number of ultralight models that fold as well.
Also, as a point of interest tennis chairs are insanely maneuverable, but not really suited for day-to-day use since they're purpose built. And pretty expensive, like a specialized bike would be.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:21 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
The one caveat there is that it will likely be one that's heavy as sin and very, very hard to self-propel.
Kind of like bikes, this is very much a get-what-you-pay-for proposition.
So, in answer to your question, sounds like: Light, maneuverable and folding is what you're looking for.
I've met lots of people who use Quickie models - they make many types of ultralight chairs. Many of them weigh well under 30 lbs. These are definitely not your standard heavy hospital hallway wheelchairs.
This particular model only weighs about 20 pounds. That one's rigid, but they've got a number of ultralight models that fold as well.
Also, as a point of interest tennis chairs are insanely maneuverable, but not really suited for day-to-day use since they're purpose built. And pretty expensive, like a specialized bike would be.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 1:21 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: We're in Madison, WI.
He's working with a physical therapist and does his exercises daily. The PT has the same opinions on wheelchairs as the rest of the doctors.
Thanks for the answers so far! This is really helpful.
posted by triscuit at 1:36 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
He's working with a physical therapist and does his exercises daily. The PT has the same opinions on wheelchairs as the rest of the doctors.
Thanks for the answers so far! This is really helpful.
posted by triscuit at 1:36 PM on March 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
A family friend has a sort of power-assist wheelchair. It looks like a "classic" chair, it's not a motorized scooter- but it has an electric motor (or motors?) which provide extra push. They aren't cheap though.
posted by BungaDunga at 1:44 PM on March 24, 2015
posted by BungaDunga at 1:44 PM on March 24, 2015
I'm curious if your boyfriend has been blunt enough with the doctors and physical therapist. Has he literally said: "Look, my lack of mobility is causing me to become depressed and is seriously impacting my quality of life. I commit to doing X exercises and taking Y amount of steps each day, but doing anything beyond that causes me severe physical pain. I need to move around more than Y amount of steps in order to have the quality of life I need."
Maybe this helps convince them to work with him on a wheelchair.
Maybe they say, you need to be doing more steps than that to improve, but here's how we can work on managing the chronic pain.
etc.
If it's really the case that he gives them a script like that and they say "Tough, we just want you to live with incredible pain and no solution and we don't care that your quality of life is shit and you're depressed and house bound," I think it's time to find a different doctor or physical therapist.
I wonder if it would help to go to an appointment with your boyfriend and help him advocate. It's not clear to me from the question the degree to which he's really pushed this and made the problem crystal clear, or whether he's just saying "Hey, what about a wheelchair?" to which they say "It's not a good idea for reasons A, B, and C" and then he drops it but secretly doesn't like the answer.
I raise this NOT to say that your boyfriend's desire for a wheelchair isn't legitimate, but just that it always raises some red flags to me when multiple doctors/experts are telling someone that something is going to harm their health, but they decide to go for it anyway. I would just want to be extra sure I had exhausted all options (making 100% sure the current docs understand the full extent of the depression and physical issues, getting additional medical opinions, etc.) before completely ignoring medical advice.
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:49 PM on March 24, 2015 [11 favorites]
Maybe this helps convince them to work with him on a wheelchair.
Maybe they say, you need to be doing more steps than that to improve, but here's how we can work on managing the chronic pain.
etc.
If it's really the case that he gives them a script like that and they say "Tough, we just want you to live with incredible pain and no solution and we don't care that your quality of life is shit and you're depressed and house bound," I think it's time to find a different doctor or physical therapist.
I wonder if it would help to go to an appointment with your boyfriend and help him advocate. It's not clear to me from the question the degree to which he's really pushed this and made the problem crystal clear, or whether he's just saying "Hey, what about a wheelchair?" to which they say "It's not a good idea for reasons A, B, and C" and then he drops it but secretly doesn't like the answer.
I raise this NOT to say that your boyfriend's desire for a wheelchair isn't legitimate, but just that it always raises some red flags to me when multiple doctors/experts are telling someone that something is going to harm their health, but they decide to go for it anyway. I would just want to be extra sure I had exhausted all options (making 100% sure the current docs understand the full extent of the depression and physical issues, getting additional medical opinions, etc.) before completely ignoring medical advice.
posted by rainbowbrite at 1:49 PM on March 24, 2015 [11 favorites]
From what the OP says, it seems to me like the time they'll be out and about with the wheelchair is essentially time he'd be literally sitting at home in a chair anyway.
As you say,
we just want to get him out of the house on a regular basis for fun/social activities without causing him more pain/injury.
So it may be helpful to frame this in terms of "wheelchair as liberating mobility device" in the event they're acting from some kind of unconscious bias (the obnoxious phrase "wheelchair bound" comes to mind).
But spring is coming, and it'd be nice to be able to get out and about outside, no?
Bit of a haul, but looks like these folks in Wausheka have a showroom that you could visit and test drive at.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:08 PM on March 24, 2015
As you say,
we just want to get him out of the house on a regular basis for fun/social activities without causing him more pain/injury.
So it may be helpful to frame this in terms of "wheelchair as liberating mobility device" in the event they're acting from some kind of unconscious bias (the obnoxious phrase "wheelchair bound" comes to mind).
But spring is coming, and it'd be nice to be able to get out and about outside, no?
Bit of a haul, but looks like these folks in Wausheka have a showroom that you could visit and test drive at.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:08 PM on March 24, 2015
Also looks like they'll swing by to do an assessment and consultation.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:14 PM on March 24, 2015
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 2:14 PM on March 24, 2015
I'm just wondering if he has ever seen an occupational therapist, in addition to the PT? OTs are the folks who generally suggest and help to select assisting technologies, in the medical system. They might be able to advocate for him with the doctors, in addition to potentially helping with selection of a wheelchair.
posted by snorkmaiden at 2:56 PM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by snorkmaiden at 2:56 PM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
I second seeing the OT. Crutches, especially those forearm crutches common in the UK, might be an appropriate intermediate option if the cane isn't cutting it.
posted by crazycanuck at 6:58 PM on March 24, 2015
posted by crazycanuck at 6:58 PM on March 24, 2015
Best answer: Howdy! I've been wheeling around Madison for 20 yrs.
Most big-box stores in town have the kind of wheelchair you'll be able to find at garage sales or thrift stores. Go to Woodman's or Walmart, grab a chair from inside the door, and wheel it out to your car. BF then transfers into the chair and you can see whether you can actually push him around. Pushing a chair—especially a 50 lb model with solid tires—is a lot of work. They're designed to roll on smooth hospital floors, not parking lots or sidewalks.
Fortunately, we have the Independence First Mobility Store.
http://ifmobility.mcservices.com
They actively solicit donations of used equipment, repair them, and resell them inexpensively. I got a 24 lb Quickie that actually fits my freakishly long thighs for $400 (new around $2000). They have power chairs and scooters as well.
I had doctors who claimed walking in pain was "exercise." I fired them. I asked the doctors: do you walk everywhere? No, you don't have time so you use a car. Wow, you're missing so many exercising opportunities! I exercise in the water where I don't fear falling.
Feel free to memail me.
posted by Jesse the K at 7:39 PM on March 24, 2015 [6 favorites]
Most big-box stores in town have the kind of wheelchair you'll be able to find at garage sales or thrift stores. Go to Woodman's or Walmart, grab a chair from inside the door, and wheel it out to your car. BF then transfers into the chair and you can see whether you can actually push him around. Pushing a chair—especially a 50 lb model with solid tires—is a lot of work. They're designed to roll on smooth hospital floors, not parking lots or sidewalks.
Fortunately, we have the Independence First Mobility Store.
http://ifmobility.mcservices.com
They actively solicit donations of used equipment, repair them, and resell them inexpensively. I got a 24 lb Quickie that actually fits my freakishly long thighs for $400 (new around $2000). They have power chairs and scooters as well.
I had doctors who claimed walking in pain was "exercise." I fired them. I asked the doctors: do you walk everywhere? No, you don't have time so you use a car. Wow, you're missing so many exercising opportunities! I exercise in the water where I don't fear falling.
Feel free to memail me.
posted by Jesse the K at 7:39 PM on March 24, 2015 [6 favorites]
Best answer: If he wants to wheel on the sidewalk or street (as opposed to just indoors) I highly recommend to get a chair with bicycle style tires instead of the solid tires that most "drugstore" wheelchairs have. The inflatable tires run much easier and smoother and take much less arm strength to power.
My arms are not strong but I can use gentle pushing with my legs plus arms to get almost anywhere. On steep hills, I back up using feet to push and hands to brake the rims to keep from rolling back. I bought a Quickie chair on Craigslist for $250. It weighs 36lb and folds to fit in my Bug.
I'd encourage him to go for it. It's hell not being able to walk very far or for long. The freedom to roll instead of sitting at home is wonderfully freeing. He'll get a lot more exercise rolling around town, without the pain and exhaustion of fighting weakness and pain.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 8:26 PM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
My arms are not strong but I can use gentle pushing with my legs plus arms to get almost anywhere. On steep hills, I back up using feet to push and hands to brake the rims to keep from rolling back. I bought a Quickie chair on Craigslist for $250. It weighs 36lb and folds to fit in my Bug.
I'd encourage him to go for it. It's hell not being able to walk very far or for long. The freedom to roll instead of sitting at home is wonderfully freeing. He'll get a lot more exercise rolling around town, without the pain and exhaustion of fighting weakness and pain.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 8:26 PM on March 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Hey! Quad here. You can get ultralight fixed-frame wheelchairs that are pretty easy to push, even for people with hand and wrist issues--knobby rims help!--and they'll fold up to fit into the back of most cars. The problem is they can run kind of pricey if your insurance isn't willing to dish out. The good news is that better insurance companies buy people like me replacement chairs every 5-10 years or so and a good titanium fixed frame isn't gonna get trashed in that time. Try asking around on Craigslist or see if there's a MS Donor Closet (or similar? this may be a Washington thing) near where you live; they usually have donated chairs that they sell for way less than market value.
posted by clavier at 9:21 PM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by clavier at 9:21 PM on March 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
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