Keep On Rolling On: The Importance of Regular Wheelchair Maintenance

For most wheelchair users, wheelchair breakdowns are an inevitable and sometimes unavoidable part of everyday life. Regular maintenance is an essential part of owning a wheelchair and can help with reducing some of the negative effects that users experience when a breakdown occurs.

First, it is important to define the difference between maintenance and repairs. Maintenance is the process of maintaining or preserving something and can be considered a preventive measure to prolong the lifespan of an individual’s wheelchair or reduce risk of unexpected breakage. A repair is needed once something has begun to show signs of wear or has already broken. For example, maintaining the correct air pressure in your tires or tightening the bolts on your headrest when they start to get loose would be considered maintenance to keep your wheelchair in good working condition. If the battery in your power wheelchair dies or you pop a tube on your manual wheelchair and now have a flat tire, this would be considered a breakdown in need of repair.

The repair process can sometimes take weeks, often leaving users stranded when they do experience a breakdown. The reason why it can take so long to get a repair is because the user must contact their vendor to schedule a technician to assess the issue. The vendor then must submit the replacement parts to insurance to authorize the repair. Depending on what is needed, the vendor may then have to order the parts which adds more time. From there they must then schedule with the user to install the parts. Many wheelchair users do not have a backup option when their wheelchair breaks down, therefore this process can lead to them missing out on many aspects of their life including work, school, and activities that are meaningful to them. Depending on the significance of the breakdown, vendors may sometimes have a loaner wheelchair to use in the interim, but these often do not fit well, and their supply of loaners is often limited.

By performing regular maintenance on your wheelchair, you can notice issues earlier and begin the repair process before a part fully breaks. When you start to notice the tread on your tires wearing or when you begin to note that your power wheelchair battery is not holding a charge for as long, you can contact your vendor to start the repair process before your tire tread wears completely or before your power wheelchair battery dies.

Maintenance can be as simple as looking over your wheelchair regularly to watch for wear or it can involve taking proactive steps to keep parts in good condition and replacing them before they fail. For example, cleaning the dirt and hair out of your casters can help your wheelchair roll more easily and also reduce corrosion which can help your casters to last longer. Corrosion and wear are inevitable if you are using your wheelchair every day, so by inspecting and cleaning your casters regularly, this allows you to notice when they do start to wear. You can then contact your vendor to get the process for pursuing new ones started before a major failure occurs.

The University of Pittsburgh has developed a wheelchair maintenance training program which is a free resource with maintenance timelines, check lists, and videos to assess your wheelchair and keep it in good working condition. Below is a quick list of tips and recommendations for maintaining your manual or power wheelchair. This list is not comprehensive and a full list of recommended maintenance checks can be found within the University of Pittsburgh’s wheelchair maintenance training program at the following link: Web-Based Maintenance Training | Model Center on Spinal Cord Injury | University of Pittsburgh.

Manual Wheelchair:

•Tires

• If you have air-filled tires, check air pressure regularly by pressing down firmly with your thumb. If it easily presses down, your tire needs to be inflated. Another indicator that you need air in your tires is if your wheel locks feel loose and the wheels are still rolling even when they are locked.
• Check for tread wear. When the tread or ridges on the tire begin to appear low or flattened, it’s a good time to order more as it can take up to a month to get new tires.

•Casters

• Check for wear, cracks, or flat spots; contact your vendor to replace the casters if they are worn.
• Clean the caster bearings; remove dirt, hair, and lint from the axle bearing with scissors, tweezers, or pliers.

• Cushion

• Wipe down your cushion cover or wash it in the washing machine. Do not put in the dryer; hang it up to dry.
• If you have an air-filled cushion, check the pressure daily when you transfer onto the cushion to ensure that it is filled properly. You do not have to re-inflate it daily, but you do want to make sure that it is not losing air quickly which could indicate that there is a leak. Re-inflate every few weeks or as needed.

• Frame

• Wipe down the frame and seat upholstery with a clean, damp rag with soap.
• Inspect the frame for any damage, such as cracks.

• Wheel locks

• Inspect that the wheel locks are secured tightly to the frame.
• Apply the brake and check that it holds the tires firmly in place.

Power Wheelchair

• Battery

• Charge your battery every night, do not let the battery run down to empty.
• Inspect the charger and cord regularly.

• Drive wheels and casters

• Check for worn tread, cracks, or flat spots; contact your vendor to replace them if they are worn.

• Cushion

• Wipe down your cushion cover or wash it in the washing machine. Do not put in the dryer; hang it up to dry.
• If you have an air-filled cushion, check the pressure daily when you transfer onto the cushion to ensure that it is filled properly. Re-inflate every few weeks or as needed.

• Electronics

• Inspect the wiring and connections and ensure they are firmly in place and free of grime and corrosion.
• If you note any fraying wires or if you are getting error codes on your joystick, contact your vendor.

• Base

• Wipe down the base, seat pan, armrests, and backrest with a clean damp rag and soap.
• Assess for any cracks, holes, or broken parts.

• Motors and Power Seat Functions

• Listen to your motor, become familiar with what ‘normal ’noise sounds like.
• Inspect your power seat functions to ensure transitions are smooth.

• Supports

• Inspect the headrest, armrests, footrests, and seat belt to ensure they are all firmly attached and not loose

If you or your caregivers are comfortable with tightening bolts to reduce looseness of a headrest or wheel lock, it can sometimes be easier and faster to maintain on your own. This should only be done if you are comfortable with this. If you or your caregivers are not comfortable with tools, you should still regularly look over your wheelchair and then contact your vendor when you note any problems.

It is important to note that health insurance companies view maintenance and repairs differently. Preventive maintenance is not generally covered by insurance, whereas repairs are typically covered. This places the responsibility of regularly maintaining a wheelchair on users, which can be difficult—especially if they do not have the physical capability or confidence to do so.

Each year, the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute hosts the Wheelchair Wash & Tune-Up which is a free community event for wheelchair users. Volunteers, including students, clinicians, and local vendors wash wheelchairs, provide general maintenance and minor repairs, and evaluate for potential problems that could lead to larger issues. They can also start the process for pursuing replacement parts through insurance before a breakdown occurs. There are a number of negative effects that can result from an unexpected breakdown, from an inability to get to work or school to other issues that can arise from being stuck in bed or using a poorly fitting device in the interim, which can lead to pressure sores, upper extremity injuries, or changes in posture.

The primary goal of this community-wide event is to empower wheelchair users and their caregivers by providing them with an opportunity to not only have their device inspected by experts in the field but allow them to learn new skills and gain confidence in maintaining their wheelchair.

There will also be a variety of other opportunities for attendees to actively engage with others within the disability community, including with other wheelchair users, caregivers, and clinicians, as well as around 20 non-profit organizations who offer varying resources within the Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania region.

For more information as well as to sign up to attend the Wheelchair Wash, please visit the following link: https://www.upmc.com/services/rehab/rehab-institute/wheelchair-wash.