Wheelchair Breakdowns

Wheelchair breakdowns are very disrupting to children and their families.  When a specialized wheelchair breaks many children do not have a back up, making it difficult for positioning, comfort and most importantly a mode of transportation.  Pediatric therapists are frequently called upon to help with quick fixes of wheelchairs. 

Recent research in the American Journal of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation found that about 53% of wheelchair users with spinal cord injury experienced a wheelchair breakdown requiring repair per 6 month period. Previously the rate was about 45% from 2004-2006. In addition, the number of adverse consequences was more than twice as high during the 2006-2011 period than the 2004-2006 period. Power wheelchairs had more problems than manual wheelchairs. Another interesting point was that individuals whose wheelchairs were funded by Medicare or Medicaid had higher rates of breakdowns and consequences, compared to those covered by private insurance or other sources.

Do you find that wheelchairs are breaking down more often than they used to?  Do you find that routine maintenance helps to decrease wheelchair breakdowns?

Reference: Wheelchair breakdowns becoming more common. Retrieved from the web on 5/10/12 at http://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-05-wheelchair-breakdowns-common.html