Best Wheelchairs for Multiple Sclerosis
For patients with multiple sclerosis, finding a wheelchair that offers comfort, mobility, and built-in fall prevention is essential for maintaining independence and quality of life.
Broda positioning wheelchairs are well-suited to individuals with multiple sclerosis. These chairs feature high-quality construction and design elements specifically engineered to support people with MS. A durable Broda positioning wheelchair ensures smooth movement both inside and outside of your home, while its ergonomic design promotes optimal posture and reduces fatigue. Additionally, its built-in fall prevention technology helps prevent slips or falls when getting in or out of the wheelchair. Whether you are looking for a sturdy manual wheelchair for everyday use or as a backup for a power wheelchair, Broda has wheelchairs that MS patients can use with ease.
Our Recommended Wheelchairs for MS Patients
The Importance of a Backup Wheelchair
Power wheelchairs are complex mechanical devices that many people with MS rely on for their everyday mobility, but what happens when these chairs inevitably need repair? During scheduled maintenance or an unexpected breakdown, you’ll want to have a backup plan in place to maintain your mobility while your power wheelchair is being repaired. Broda wheelchairs are excellent backup wheelchairs for people with MS because they are comfortable, maneuverable, and need very little maintenance of their own. Whenever you need it, your Broda chair will be ready to roll.
Stability & Durability for Multiple Sclerosis
When looking for a wheelchair for someone with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, it’s important to find one that can provide both stability and durability. With sturdy construction, Broda wheelchairs are designed to meet these needs. The Comfort Tension Seating System distributes the user’s weight across multiple points, providing maximum support and reducing stress on joints. Additionally, Broda chairs feature stable foot supports that can swing to the side to allow the user to place their feet on the ground during transfers.
Comfortable Wheelchairs for Patients with MS
In addition to its supportive design features, Broda wheelchairs also prioritize comfort by offering multiple seat sizes and back heights, along with adjustable arm and leg supports. Broda pedal wheelchairs allow people with multiple sclerosis to remain physically active and independent, even while seated. Physical activity can help delay the onset of spasticity in people with MS.1 This makes it important to find the appropriate wheelchair that will support an active lifestyle for someone with MS. Users can self-propel their Broda pedal wheelchair with their hands or feet or both. The Encore Pedal Wheelchair and Latitude Pedal Wheelchair also have the Broda Dynamic Rocking feature. During the rocking motion, the user shifts their weight forward, encouraging their legs to move.
Suitable Wheelchair Seating for People with Balance Impairments
Although some wheelchair cushions have plush, immersive seating surfaces that seem appealing, they can create instability for people with balance impairments. Wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis should take care in selecting a comfortable, yet stable seating solution. The Broda Comfort Tension Seating® system molds to the user’s body. The seat and back of the wheelchair offers optimal immersion while providing a stable surface. This gives people with MS a wheelchair with the comfort they want without the instability of air-filled cushions or deep foam.
Protection from Overheating
Comfort Tension Seating® and the corresponding slim cushions also allow for more airflow than is possible with a standard wheelchair cushion. Broda also offers the Slim Posture Padding (SPP) Package for those who need positioning cushions that are breathable and low-profile. This makes it possible for wheelchair users with MS to maintain a comfortable temperature as well as a stable seated position.
Hygiene Routines for People with Multiple Sclerosis
As multiple sclerosis progresses and mobility decreases, daily hygiene routines have to be adapted. Wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis may find it difficult to wash some areas that are typically easy to reach. Broda shower commodes feature tilt-in-space and recline features, providing multiple access points for cleaning. Additionally, the arm and leg supports are removable to make side transfers simple and lower the risk of falls.
An Excellent Wheelchair for MS
If you are looking for a wheelchair for someone with MS, consider investing in a Broda positioning wheelchair. Whether you need a manual wheelchair for everyday use or a backup option for your power chair, these wheelchairs offer unparalleled support, mobility, and durability complemented by their high-quality construction and comfortable design features.
Need Support for Your MS Journey?
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is here to help. Learn more about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments, plus get access to the resources and support that you need to live well with MS
References
- Andreu-Caravaca, L., Ramos-Campo, D. J., Chung, L. H., Manonelles, P., Abellán-Aynés, O., & Rubio-Arias, J. Á. (2021). Impact of Lockdown during COVID-19 Pandemic on Central Activation, Muscle Activity, Contractile Function, and Spasticity in People with Multiple Sclerosis. BioMed Research International, 2021, e2624860. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2624860