Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) are a

significant concern for manual wheelchair users:

• Constant force and motion required to manoeuvre a wheelchair can lead to overuse injuries

• Shoulder 44%, elbow 21%, wrist 23%, hand 18%

  Liampas et al. 2021

• The shoulder is not designed for the repetitive activities required when propelling an MWC

  Mashola et al. 2021

Active / Ultralight Wheelchairs

Research indicates decreased risk of RSIs with an active / ultralightweight MWC which can be configured and adjusted to meet an individual’s needs.

• Prevents secondary symptoms associated with RSIs

• Enhances participation and outcomes of quality of life
  Worobey et al.2023

User Benefits

Research shows that using an active / ultralightweight MWC can reduce strain for the user, reduce push frequency and lower propulsion forces.

1. Reduce strain

• Lightweight wheelchairs require less force for propulsion, which can help reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries.
  Liampas et al. 2021

2. Push frequency

• Alignment of the user’s shoulder with the wheel axle may reduce the energy and the number of pushes needed.
  Walford et al. 2024

3. Lower propulsion forces

• Wheelchair configuration, especially weight distribution, reduces the propulsion efforts.
  Lin & Sprigle 2020 

Considerations

RSI can also develop secondary to activities that do not occur in the wheelchair, such as during transfers or loading the MWC into/out of a vehicle.

• Greater than 12 transfers a day is related to an increased risk of pain among individuals with SCI
  Ferrero et al. 2015
• Adding power assist devices to an active wheelchair can result in reduced musculoskeletal disorders due to decreased energy costs of propulsion
  Pradon et al. 2021