Quads pushing manual chairs

[quartermile]

For quads who function at the C5 level and are in manual wheelchairs, how do you perform weight shifts?

I find something like a wall or table to lean against...or put my hands in my spokes and lean all the way until my cheek comes up....getting out of the chair 4 times a day and into the car is a great help as well. I have found that the change in surfaces has really toughened my butt up...last week my roho went flat... I noticed it when I transferred after work many hours later...never felt a thing and I always know when I need to shift

[curbyi]

How do Quads push manual chairs? I am C5/6, no triceps, hands and fingers don't work.
VA tossed me in a used power chair and that was it. My thumbs are always in the way. How do you keep thumbs from getting caught in the rims? How do your hands hold on to the rims? Tired off being limited with this large power chair. Am working hard to build enough muscles to transfer.
I'm familiar with quad knobs. Kind of tacky. E-motions sound great in this forum.
Need to start driving, but would like to have something other than a raised roof, full size van. Head height 58" in power chair.
Thanks

Hi everyone

I come across the topic quads in manuals and it has really shocked me and confused me.


I'm approaching the 10 year anniversary of injury(party time and I'm looking to reassess and improve various aspects of my health.
I hope to do this with exercise and healthy eating although I defy anyone to tell me that I don't eat healthily yet I have got a Tetra tummy and a big fat bottom.
But I digress.
What shocked me is reading that it seems that many tetras at my level push manual wheelchairs.
When I was in the spinal unit my physio therapist never suggested that it was feasible and without any knowledge myself I just went along with what i was told.
As I recall my arm movement came back quite late so I was just delighted to be able to drive a power chair without a tennis ball head attachment.

I have always been led to believe that you need to have triceps to push a manual chair which I do not have.

Would it be possible to clarify whether it is feasible for me (however difficult at first ) to use a manual chair even if it is on a part-time basis in conjunction with my power chair which would have a fantastic effect on my fitness and general health.

As definitions of levels of injury can differ so greatly between us I think it's best if I describe what I have working and whether it's viable from other forum members experiences.

I believe I am C5/6 complete.

I have biceps (can polish guns although tiny)
My left wrist can be cocked but will flop down if not held up
My right wrist has no such cocking action
As a result of this I wear supports on both hands.
I do not believe I have triceps as to put it crudely I cannot put my hands up like a child would in a classroom to answer a question (sorry it's the easiest way I can explain)
Extension of the arm is only achieved by gravity.
I believe that as a result of this lack of triceps I have the chicken wing scenario folded up in front of my chest when lying in bed because of the shortening of the tendons.
Whilst on the back I can only lift my head and neck.
I have no lumbar control if I flop to the side I cannot get up.
The same if I go forward on to my knees I cannot get up.
Also if I held my hand in front of me I cannot put my hands together in a clapping motion they do not get anywhere near close.
I believe this is because I have only partial shoulders muscles working.

I apologise in my anatomical analysis of my body being so poor!

I've just been utterly amazed by the accounts of people living with C5 injuries in near independence.
It seems to me impossible to even contemplate transferring bowel care etc.

I would be grateful for any information anyone can throw my way, although with my hands I probably will not catch it!

Cheers Curbyi

[Patonb]

You can, but be limited in your use.... I'm 5/6, both wrists "cock".. Its called extensors, but everythng else is like you. I too, was told I couldn't, but pushed to get one in rehab. My OT gave me one to shut me up, and that night i pushed 100m, took 40 minutes, but i did it.

Alot of folks are incomplete here, with some trunk stability which is huge, and this leads to easier everything. I just have balance, which took awhile to get.

There are many aids to help with stability, aand pushing is an intense workout, as it works all muscles at once.
Not sure your situation, but starting pushing is easiest on smooth flatish floors, like hospitals or malls.

Maybe start a new thread to get best results.
Oh and welcome

[RehabRhino]

Curbyi

Welcome to CC. I'm C5/6 incomplete (mostly sensory). I live in Manchester and was born in Bristol (if you mean UK).

I function in a similar fashion but more wrist function from what you described.

They tried to push a power chair on me in rehab and I refused. Pushed a clunky manual with rubber/sticky rims around while wearing gloves while I built myself up.

http://www.activemobility.co.uk/shop...ers-p-937.html

Came home and realised that full on manual wasn't practical for city life and got lightweight chair and E-motion power assisted wheels. Generally push 2 - 3 miles a day using these and it has built me up a lot so it's a good compromise.

http://www.newmobility.com/articleViewIE.cfm?id=567

I think you'll find it very hard and very tiring but even pushing around your home or up and down your street (if it's flat) will help your strength.

I use gloves similar to the top ones here:

http://www.celticware.com/acatalog/G...s_2.html#cuffs

[fuentejps]

u can do it.
im inc c4-5 FUNCTIONING at c5-6 no triceps but good wrist ext. i have always used a manual. u have to push push push. those power chairs r a coffin imo.

u can be ind w/out tri's as well. transfers etc.

[Patonb]

Fuente, do you have wrist flexors?

Thoses are the very useful in pushing a chair.

[Shaun]

Extensors...wrist up,palm down right?

Flexers...palm up,wrist up right?

[Rustyjames]

"those power chairs r a coffin imo"

that's a ridiculous statement. not everyone works in an office like you, other people get out and do real thing's instead of inching along on flat, smooth pavement; thinking that they're doing something.

[mimin]

Extensors...wrist up,palm down right?

Flexers...palm up,wrist up right?

Yup. Good question Patonb. It makes a big difference. I have flexors in my right wrist only.

[Ashley]

Fuente, do you have wrist flexors?

Thoses are the very useful in pushing a chair.

How does it help? I never really knew. I have flexion but no strength in them (someone could easily push my palms back)

[Patonb]

Extensors...wrist up,palm down right?

Flexers...palm up,wrist up right?

Yha, Extensors are the muscls by yer elbows... Or for Christopher... The big ewwy things.

Flexors are your forearms.

Also the muscles that draw your arm into your side are useeful...

How does it help? I never really knew. I have flexion but no strength in them (someone could easily push my palms back)

I find my hand/wrist collapses as I push, so i have to use my wrist/arm to push, and not my whole palm. So some of my force to squeeze the rim is lost.

[fishin'guy]

Just dropped in, does christopher still have the amoeba growing on his arm?
Also, this thread says somethinabout quads pushin wheelch? Hell ya'll can push mine anytime you'd like, I trust ya'll.... Guy

[Shaun]

I have flexors in my right wrist only.

Same here,ive flexors in my right wrist..but like Ashley,they dont hold any kind of wait other than themselves..Im just checking here,cause i claim to be 5/6 complete..

Injury..5/6
Tri's....Trace on left side,couldnt straighten it out if it were bent behind my head and it wont take any weight at all,not even the arm without working it..

Wrist EXTENSORS..Yes,and ''reasonably'' strong as i could work that motion hard with an ankle weight

Wrist FLEXORS...As above

Not a thing from the tops of my nipples down!

Im a C5/6 ___?

[fuentejps]

Fuente, do you have wrist flexors?

Thoses are the very useful in pushing a chair.

hell now im confused. if my knuckles r pointed up i can flex up but if knuckles down cant flex palm up.

[fuentejps]

"those power chairs r a coffin imo"

that's a ridiculous statement. not everyone works in an office like you, other people get out and do real thing's instead of inching along on flat, smooth pavement; thinking that they're doing something.

lol. u made me laugh