As I’ve already said in most of my active user wheelchair series, one significant benefit of an active user wheelchair over a standard manual chair is how customisable they are. And active user wheelchair footplate is no exception to this. As we’ve looked at frame and seating options, I thought today we’d consider the different types of footplates that are available on an active user chair.
As with active user wheelchair frames, footplates come in both rigid and folding. Plus, an option that’s a middle ground between the two. As with everything when planning the specification of your active user wheelchair, type of footplate that you choose will depend on your needs.
It’s worth noting that, had I listened to the advice of my wheelchair service, my footplate would not have been suitable and would have limited what I could do. This is why it’s so important to know your needs, both medically and socially, as well as what’s available, when you’re putting together your wheelchair specification.
Active User Wheelchair Footplate Options:
Rigid Tube
Rigid tube footplates are available for rigid frames wheelchairs. This option isn’t possible on a folding wheelchair, because it’s fixed. As a result, it would make folding a wheelchair impossible without removing the footplate first and no one’s got time for that in day-to-day life!
Rigid tube footplates are great for people, like myself, who have chosen a rigid frame wheelchair because they feel the movement in a folding wheelchair. The combination of rigid frame and rigid tube footplate will give the least amount of movement in the frame.
It’s worth noting that if you want to use a Freewheel, it works best on a rigid tube footplate either with or without a footplate cover (see below). To make sure the footplate that you’re considering is compatible with a Freewheel, check out the will it work on my footplate page on the Go Freewheel website.
Active User Wheelchair Footplate Options:
Footrest Cover
Footrest covers are available on rigid tube footplates. Whether you have one or not, very much depends on your needs.
While a footrest cover adds a little weight to your active user wheelchair, it’s a great addition for those who find their feet tend to move around. I don’t tend to have this problems, but I’ve noticed a number of times where my feet have slipped off the ‘D’ tubing of my footplate. Particularly when wearing heels. I suspect this would be much less of an issue (when wearing flat shoes) if my footplate were high enough. Being on tip toes means that my ankles wobble around and my feet can slip because of this.
I opted for a rigid tube footplate without a cover because, at the time, I needed my wheelchair to be as light as possible. Now that I have my SmartDrive, I don’t have to put this need for lightness quite so high up in my list of priorities.
I’d really like to be able to comfortably wear some of my slimmer heels without the risk of my feet falling backwards. I’ve also noticed that on a couple of occasions, Elise has got her leg stuck in the middle of my rigid tube footplate. As a result (and if the footrest cover for the K-Series is compatible with the Freewheel), I’ll be getting a cover for my (hopefully new) wheelchair.
Active User Wheelchair Footplate Options:
Flip To Side Footplate
If you’ve chosen a folding frame wheelchair but want the benefits of a rigid tube footplate, a flip to side footplate could be the option for you!
A flip to side footplate is mounted on one side of the wheelchair frame. It then lifts up and down as a single piece. This is a good option for those who need to be able to move their footplate out of the way in order to stand up.
Flip to side footplates can be included in the specification of both folding and rigid frame chairs, just be aware that a rigid frame with a rigid tube footplate is very slightly stronger than a rigid chair with a flip to side footplate. In normal, everyday life, this is unlikely to make a difference. But, if you really put your wheelchair through its paces with particularly active, sport like activities, you’d likely benefit from a rigid tube footplate, assuming you don’t have a medical need for the flip to side footplate.
It’s worth noting that flip to side footplates often come as standard with an adjustable footplate.
Active User Wheelchair Footplate Options:
Swing Away Footrests
Swing away footrests are the type that you find on standard wheelchairs. This is an option that can be put on either rigid or folding active user wheelchairs. However, you’re most likely to find people requesting it on an folding frame wheelchair.
Swing away footplates are a good option for those who want to switch between toe propelling and self propelling quickly and easily. However, depending on your postural needs, swing away footplates might not be ideal, given that they don’t meet in the middle. Don’t be put off by swing away footplates if your only experience of them is on an off-the-shelf, standard wheelchair. The swing away footplates on an active user wheelchair (or standard, correctly sized wheelchair) will be in a much better position to support a good posture.
This is the type of footrest wheelchair service suggested for me, since I wanted to be able to toe propel. However, given that the measurement for my active user wheelchair frame didn’t take into consideration the height of my cushion, I was barely able to touch the floor with the tips of my toes. So, even if I’d have gone with swing away footrests, toe propelling would’ve been impossible.
*This is your friendly reminder to check that the leg measurements for the length of your wheelchair frame take into account the height of your cushion. Please don’t rely on professionals to get this right like I did. I have since learned that two other people who have a chair from the same wheelchair service as me also have issues with their footplate being too low.
Want to know more about other active user wheelchair options? Check out my frame options, backrest options and seating options posts. You can also learn more about active wheelchairs in the introduction post of this series.
What is your preferred footplate type?
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