Folded Vs. Rigid Wheelchair: 3 Things to Consider

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If you see your wheelchair as an extension of yourself, then chances are you're always on the lookout for a way to ensure that your wheelchair is meeting all of the needs that may arise in your lifestyle. One of the common questions that come up most frequently is Folding Vs. Rigid Wheelchair. Today, we'll look at both sides of the debate and help you decide which chair is right for your lifestyle.

1. Defining the Terminology

For the purposes of this discussion, let's start by defining what we mean when we say folding wheelchair and rigid wheelchair.

Folding Wheelchairs traditionally have a cross-brace design, where the frame collapses in half by pushing the sides together. More recently, a scissor brace has been introduced that allows for chairs to be folded from the front and back, rather than the sides.

Rigid Wheelchairs were originally designed as adaptations from sport wheelchairs. The lighter weight and frame allows users to expend less energy as they push. They typically come in two styles: the monotube, which uses a single tube to provide a softer ride, and a box frame, which provides greater preservation of energy through the use of a second support bar.

2. Considering the Weight of Your Chair

Regardless of which side of the debate you stand on, the weight of your chair should be a top consideration when you're considering which model to buy. If you start with a lightweight chair, it can also be further weighed down by additional components. When you're looking at the quoted weight of a chair before you buy, make sure you ask questions about which components are included in that weight. Materials for the frame should be considered in terms of weight, strength, and durability. Titanium, for example, has a high strength to weight ratio, which means that it can help achieve a lighter frame weight. It also has a longer service life, due to its resistance to bending damage and corrosion.

Aluminum, on the other hand, is a more economical choice, and great strides have been made to increase the strength in order to produce a lighter-weight frame. Unlike titanium, however, it's not naturally corrosion resistant, which means that it will require an additional coating in order to achieve the same level of corrosion resistance. Additionally, it will require additional supports in order to achieve the same strength as its titanium counterpart, which means more pieces that could potentially be exposed to wear and tear damage.

Finally, carbon fiber, the most recent addition to the wheelchair market, is a lightweight, durable material that resists corrosion. However, it is more expensive to make due to difficulties in shaping it. It also doesn't have the same impact resistance that other materials may have, which means that it's more likely to suffer damage if dropped.

Ultimately, the design and configuration of your chair will play a role in its total weight, so materials are only one factor to take into account.

3. What Does Your Lifestyle Require?

There are as many different wheelchair configurations as there are users, 3.6 million over the age of 15 in the U.S. alone, and everyone's needs for their chair are different. Taking into account the activities that you like to take part in will ultimately help you decide where you land in the folding vs. rigid wheelchair debate. Your own trunk strength will also play a part in the choices you make, as people who are newer to wheelchairs will require a different configuration while they're building the core and arm strength to propel themselves adequately. Moreover, if you're an athlete with an active lifestyle, the chair that best suits that activity might not suit a more casual user. Ultimately, no one knows your needs like you do, so doing some reflection on your lifestyle can ultimately help you ask the right questions when you discussing this with your specialist.

Whether you ultimately decide whether a foldable or rigid wheelchair is right for you, you can improve your experience by being armed with a little bit of research about what will best suit your needs. If you're ready to discuss your wheelchair needs, contact us today. One of our experts will be happy to help.