Which Pediatric Power Wheelchairs are Compatible with Dynamic Seating?
Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
I primarily work in pediatrics and many of the clients I see benefit from Dynamic Seating. When we are considering a power wheelchair, it helps to have a quick reference of which Dynamic Seating components work on specific pediatric power wheelchairs.
The Dynamic Rocker Back interface (DRBi)
The Seating Dynamics Dynamic Rocker Back interface is compatible with the following pediatric power wheelchairs:
| Pediatric Power Wheelchair | Technical Requirements |
|---|---|
| Amylior Alltrack P3 |
Angle adjustable back required. Tubular back canes required. T-arms required. |
| Permobil M300 PS Jr. K300 PS Jr. |
Angle adjustable back required. Tubular back canes required. T-arms required:
M300 PS Jr.: back is mounted to Uni Track. |
| Quantum Stretto (with Synergy or Tru Balance Flex, 3, 3HD, or 4 seating) |
Angle adjustable back required. Tubular back canes required. T-arms required. |
| Rovi X3 A3 (Both with Motion Concepts Ultra Low Maxx seating) |
Angle adjustable back required. Tubular back canes required. T-arms required. |
An angle adjustable back with tubular back canes is required. The DRBi cannot be used in conjunction with any manual or power recline as both components open the seat to back angle and occupy the same space. Most clients who extend with force at the hips tend to respond to a significant increase in seat to back angle (which occurs in recline) with increased extension.
Tubular back canes are required as the DRBi is positioned at the bottom of these, typically requiring the back canes to be cut. Fortunately, tubular frames are also compatible with the widest range of seating options.
Back cane mounted armrests are not compatible, so T-arms (single or dual post armrests) are typically required. If the back canes are short (as in pediatrics), there will be inadequate room for the DRBi hardware and cantilever style armrest mounting hardware. The minimum distance from the seat rail to the top of the armpad will be 11” if mounted to the back canes.
Dynamic Footrests
The Seating Dynamics Dynamic Footrests are compatible with the following pediatric power wheelchairs:
| Pediatric Power Wheelchair | Technical Requirements |
|---|---|
| Amylior Alltrack P3 |
Swing-away footrests required. |
| Permobil M300 PS Jr. K300 PS Jr. |
Swing-away footrests required. The footrest hangers can also be omitted as the Seating Dynamics adapter/receiver mounts directly to the seat rail extrusion. |
| Quantum Stretto (with Synergy or Tru Balance Flex, 3, 3HD, or 4 seating) |
Swing-away footrests required. The footrest hangers can also be omitted as the Seating Dynamics adapter/receiver mounts directly to the seat rail extrusion. |
| Quickie Q300M Mini (with Sedeo Lite or Pro Seating) |
Swing-away footrests required:
|
| Rovi X3 A3 (Both with Motion Concepts Ultra Low Maxx seating) |
Swing-away footrests required. |
Swing-away footrests are required, though can be omitted on Quantum and Permobil.
The Dynamic Footrests cannot be used in conjunction with any with any manual or power elevating and/or articulating legrests as both components open the knee angle and occupy the same space.
The Dynamic Footrests are also not compatible with center mount footrests. These are often used to accommodate the knees in more flexion, though in the pediatric population, caster interference is not typically an issue, even with 90-degree footrest hangers.
Dynamic Head Support Hardware
The Dynamic Head Support hardware mounts to the back of the seating system and so is not dependent on the power wheelchair base. This hardware will mount to just about any back and is compatible with a standard 2”x2” or 2” x 1” 4 hole mounting plate. The hardware requires about 3.5” of space posterior to the mounting surface.
We hope that this blog is a helpful reference for Dynamic Seating compatibility with pediatric power wheelchairs. If you are working with a client who is using a different power wheelchair or you are considering a different power wheelchair than what is listed above, feel free to contact us as we may be able to help.
Zippie M300 Mini swing away footrest hangers