Leg positioning is extremely important for someone who uses a wheelchair for long periods of time. Yet, leg positioning, as well as positioning in general, is too often overlooked.

Neglecting comfortable and healthy positioning is not only unnecessary but also unhealthy in many ways. Bad positioning can lead to contracted joints, pressure sores and bruises.

Common problems with leg and foot positioning include worsening foot and ankle contractures, positioning legs against metal frames, and cutting off circulation, among many others.

Let’s examine and compare some of our wheelchair aids that we sell to help you take care of these predicaments.

Give support to the lower leg

Posey Leg Hugger

The Posey Leg Hugger is a pad that fits flush between the wheelchair footrest brackets. This gives support behind the user’s calves and prevents their feet from sliding behind the foot rests. People who experience this problem due to muscle weakness in the legs can suffer longer-term consequences if their foot slides around too much and remains in stressful positions. The Posey Leg Hugger fits wheelchairs 18 to 20 inches wide and is secured to the wheelchair footrest hangers by quick release straps.

Not only do many people experience this problem, but there are also many people whose feet tend to slide inward and fall in between the foot plates of their wheelchair.

Keep feet in the right position

This can present many problems, including poor circulation in the hanging feet and sores from where the inside edge of the foot plate cuts into the side of the foot due to the awkward positioning.

Posey Leg and Foot Hugger

This is what the Posey Leg and Foot Hugger is for. It is like the Posey Leg Hugger but features a one-piece pad to span both foot plates. Wheelchair users often find this design to be much more comfortable than traditional, separate foot plates.

Wheelchair bracket pads improve seating

Gel Wraps for Swing Away Wheelchair Footrests

As we mentioned earlier, wheelchair framing and footrest hangers can interfere with seating and cause pressure on the legs. The Gel Wraps for Swing Away Wheelchair Footrests guards the side of your calves from those cold metal, uninviting footrest hangers. The open cell foam and polyurethane solid gel on the inside provide advanced comfort, while the outside features a neoprene nylon surface that is easy to clean.

A blanket that won’t catch your wheels

Granny Jo Wheelchair Lap Blanket

Sitting down for long periods of time can also cause the legs and feet to be colder than usual, and this is usually related to circulation. Improving circulation will help, but also consider having the Granny Jo Wheelchair Lap Blanket on hand. It fits in the wheelchair user’s lap and uses Velcro to strap behind the lower legs to prevent getting tangled in the wheelchair.

Some people take wheelchair positioning lightly, but if you are a wheelchair user, you know that positioning is everything. We hope you find the products that are right for you.