Module 4 - Body Measurements
Applying the body measurement to seating and wheeled mobility assessment and prescription
Cushions
For all cushion trials and prescriptions, the mandatory body measurements required are:
- hip width
- thigh depth
- lower leg length *
* The profile/height of the cushion can change the floor-to-seat surface height of the seating and mobility system. Thus the foot support should be adjusted, based on lower leg length, in order for the cushion to provide optimum pressure distribution and pelvic stability.
Back Supports
For all posterior/back support prescriptions, the mandatory body measurements required are:
- hip width (for low backrest)
- scapular height (for low backrest)
- chest width (for higher back support)
Additional measurement for high back support and thoracic lateral support are:
- chest depth
- seat surface to axilla height
Other seating components, manual and power wheelchair mobility
A well-fitted seating and wheeled mobility system requires a "tailored made to measure" process.
Generally, the more seating surface that is in contact with the client, the more body measurements one should obtain.
See the next section for the purpose of and the prompts for body measurement - subjected to client's physical and functional needs established in Module 2 and Module 3.
Download Translating evaluation measurement to wheelchair dimensions by Michael Babinec, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP