Active User Wheelchair Backrest Settings

In addition to different backrest types and heights, there are also different settings available. These change the angle of the backrest. The angle you need will depend on a number of different factors. The most important is going to be your specific seating requirements. However, as with most things when thinking about active user wheelchairs, changing one specification can affect So, let’s talk more about the different active user wheelchair backrest settings.

If you haven’t already, take a look at my Active user wheelchair backrest options and Active User Wheelchair Backrest Height Options posts to find out more about the different types of backrest that are available.

With the Kuschall K-Series, there are 5 different backrest angles available, ranging between 74-90 degrees from the seat and increasing in increments of 4 degrees. These active user wheelchair backrest settings will vary between manufacturers and even models, so be sure to check that what you need is available when choosing your active user wheelchair.

My first K-Series had a high (450mm) tension adjustable backrest, set at an 82 degree angle. As soon as I sat in it, I knew it wasn’t right for me. Instead of providing me with support, the inclined angle pushed the top backrest into my upper back – forcing me forwards. In their infinite wisdom, wheelchair service decided that a solution to this would be to have the backrest not clicked into place. This worked initially in that the backrest was no longer pushing against my back. However, it caused significant issues when I needed someone to push me. Because the backrest wasn’t clicked into place, having someone push me forced the backrest forward – jolting my back and and forcing me into leaning forwards.

At this time, I had no idea that there were different active user wheelchair backrest settings, let alone how to alter them.

I highlighted the issues I was having with my backrest to wheelchair service. The technician came out and fiddled. He managed to get the backrest so that it wasn’t inclined. What I didn’t realise was that where he set it was at a slightly reclined angle, which meant that I wasn’t getting enough support from my backrest.

It wasn’t until I tried a Matrix backrest earlier this year that I discovered that the angle my backrest was set to wasn’t right for me. At first, I couldn’t understand why I needed the Matrix backrest angled at an incline. While investigating, I realised that the backrest angle was set at a recline. So the Matrix backrest angle was counteracting the recline of the wheelchair’s backrest frame.

I played around with the angle of the wheelchair’s backrest frame and discovered how to adjust the angle. Once I had this set how I wanted it, I played around with different backrest heights using bag straps. Low and behold, I was able to get the support I needed from a much lower backrest height with the angle set right than I was with a higher backrest set at a reclined angle. This just goes to show how important it is to have the right active user backrest settings.

What are your active user wheelchair backrest setting preferences?