600 chapter 64
FEATURE
FOOTRESTS
Positions
For a small child,
In adult chairs, often footrests
footrests often
can position legs
angle legs forward straight down. This
to leave room for is important in many
casters.
cases (see p. 591).
A larger child may need to
sit on cushions so that his
feet are above the casters.
DESIGN DETAILS
• Footrest
should
keep the
knees and
ankles
at right
angles and
the legs
slightly
separated
• It should
usually
not twist
them or
force them
together.
Fixed position footrests
The height of the rests
should be carefully
measured to fit the
child who will use them.
(For measurements,
see p. 602.)
REMEMBER: Cushions
or seating adaptations
will change the height
needed for the
footrests.
• If the footrest is too
low, blocks can be
placed on it to make
it higher They can be
removed as the child
grows.
• However, fixed
footrests that are too
high are more
difficult to
correct. So it is
better if they
are too low.
ADVANTAGES
• Good positioning and
support of the feet
help the whole body
to stay in a better
position.
A footrest
like this,
may help
feet like
these.
• easiest to build
• For a small child who
can easily be lifted in
and out of the chair,
they are fine.
• If footrests are
screwed or bolted
onto a wooden
wheelchair, their
position can easily
be changed as the
child grows.
DISADVANTAGES
• A footrest that keeps
the leg at right angles
may cause or increase
knee contractures in
some children. Children
should not stay sitting
too long and should
do daily exercises to
stretch their legs, feet,
and hips.
To prevent or correct
contractures,
one or both
legs may need
to be kept
as straight as
they will go.
• They often get in
the way when the
child gets in or out
of the chair, or in the
way of the person
lifting a larger child.
(See other methods
below.)
Removable or swing-away
footrests
wood chair swing-away footrest
back-stop
for feet
pin on which
footrest swings
stops
There are many designs.
Here we show one for the
wood chair shown above
and one designed for a
metal chair.
Other designs for sliding
or swing-away footrests
are on pages 616,
and 622.
metal chair
footrest
See p. 622.
swing
up
• They make it easier to
get in and out of chair.
• The best
footrests
are those
the child
can easily
move
out of
the way
herself.
Adjustable footrests
hand hole
for pulling
Footrest pulls
out and slips
back out of way.
Also serves as storage shelf.
There are many designs.
Here is one of the simplest,
FRONT for a plywood chair.
VIEW
strips
of wood
to form
slots
adjustable
height
For straight leg
sitting, a longer board
fits into high slots.
• very adaptable
• easy to make
• can support a casted
leg
leg board
for both
legs
for one
leg
• Removable
footrests may get
lost.
• more work to make
them
• Unless well-made,
they may be less
stable than fixed
footrests.
• A cushion or padding
should be placed over
the leg board (unless
leg is casted).
• Side supports may be
needed to keep leg
from slipping off.
No footrests
• Seat is mounted low
so that feet rest
flat on floor.
• useful for persons
who can pull their
chair along with their
legs and feet—
especially when
one or both arms or
hands are too weak
to push the wheels
• Feet may drag when
someone else pushes
the child in the chair.
Swing-away
footrests may be
the best solution.
Disabled village Children