1. Know Your Range of Knee Motion 

The range of knee motion is probably one of the most critical measurements in the legrest prescription process. Over-stretched legs are not only uncomfortable but can also lead to poor posture over time. 

Reference article: The Fundamental Importance of Knee Range of Motion

Reference article: The Fundamental Importance of Knee Range of Motion

• Within Normal Limits (WNL): If knee flexion falls within normal limits, most legrest options should be suitable.
• Fixed Knee Contracture Over 90 Degrees: When knee angles are fixed at over 90 degrees, proper support usually requires specific alignment between seat depth and a customized legrest.
• Limited Knee Flexion or Fixed Knee Contracture: For users with limited knee flexion or fixed contractures, it’s important to choose a legrest that supports the exact angle needed.

1. 1. Tool-adjustable legrests and manual elevating legrests are the most commonly used options.  
   2. Users with high muscle tone over the knees will benefit from tool-adjustable legrests, as these allow for a stable, fixed position. 
   3. If different limitations exist in each knee, sperated legrests with an independent angle-adjusting function are often the better choice. 

2. Consider Your Transfer Method

If you frequently transfer into and out of your wheelchair from its side, it’s essential to choose a legrest that won’t obstruct your movement. Central legrests provide clearance on both sides of the legs, which can be a game-changer for users with limited hand mobility to have smooth transfers.  

For those who prefer transferring from the front of the wheelchair, swing away legrests can clear the leg space entirely. However, if a user lacks sufficient hand function to swing the legrest away, consider legrests that allow the footplate to lower to the ground. Paired with anterior tilt or low seat height, this setup enables users to step out of the wheelchair directly from the front.  

3. Choose the Right Footplates

Don’t overlook the footplate design when selecting a legrest. Not all footplates are compatible with every legrest, so be sure to consult with your dealer or therapist to ensure the right match.  

The central mount footboard is ideal for compact space or indoor if it can be positioned at an angle close to 90 degrees.

For users without any leg deformities, either a one-piece or two-piece footplate is suitable. However, if there is a leg length discrepancy, two-piece footplates are recommended to accommodate different footplate heights on each side.

Adjustable footplate is ideal for individuals with foot deformities, as it can be tilted forward and backward, and the lateral angle can also be adjusted. 

Special mention should be made of Amputee Legrests, which typically feature shortened support and angle adjustability. Some models also provide lateral support to help keep the residual limb stable. 

4. Think About Leg Elevation Needs

If you have a positioning wheelchair and you have no deformities in your lower extremities, consider whether manual or powered elevating legrests are better suited to your needs and abilities.  

To enhance circulation in the lower limbs, a tilt-in-space wheelchair equipped with elevating legrests can be highly effective. The key principle is to position the legs higher than the head, which promotes better blood flow. 

Pro Tip:  Biomechanical length compensation allows the legrest to adjust in length as the angle changes, reducing strain on the joints. It’s especially important for users who cannot reposition themselves in their wheelchair.

5. Consult Your Therapist for Special Positioning

For individuals with severe deformities in the pelvis, trunk, and lower extremities, a specialized positioning setup is necessary to ensure sitting stability, comfort, and driving efficiency. A therapist’s assessment plays a crucial role in selecting the most suitable legrests to support proper posture. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the right legrest for your wheelchair is essential for maximizing both comfort and functionality. By taking into account factors such as your range of knee motion, transfer methods, footplate design, leg elevation needs, and specific sitting posture, you can make an informed decision tailored to your individual requirements. If you have further questions about selecting legrests, consulting a qualified therapist and your dealer for professional guidance is key to making the right choice. 

Tzuyu Lin, PT, Product Manager

Tzuyu Lin is a physiotherapist and Product Manager at KARMA headquarters. She began her career at the Rehabilitation Engineering Lab at National Taiwan University, focusing on exoskeleton studies, and later gained five years of physiotherapy experience at an orthopedics clinic.

Since joining KARMA in 2021 as a Product Specialist, Tzuyu has focused on custom adaptations and complex rehab technology. Now part of the product management team, she co-developed the KARMA Flexx Adapt wheelchair.

Keep Reading

Which Leg Rest Should You Choose?

How Do the Footplates Contribute to a Comfortable Sitting Position?

Busting Myths about the Leg Rests on a Wheelchair

If you frequently transfer into and out of your wheelchair from its side, it’s essential to choose a legrest that won’t obstruct your movement. Central legrests provide clearance on both sides of the legs, which can be a game-changer for users with limited hand mobility to have smooth transfers.  

The 2024 REHACare successfully concluded on September 28th. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our friends who attended the event. We sincerely appreciate your feedback, whether it’s regarding our products or services. It serves as a driving force for our continuous growth and improvement. We look forward to future collaborations as we strive to provide better mobility solutions.

2024 Rehacare Highlights!

EVO Altus – MobilityCompact Enough for Any Elevator 

Did you know the Evo Altus is the only high-end standing power wheelchair designed to fit effortlessly into compact residential elevators? With its intelligent lifting design, the Evo Altus shortens its length during elevation, making it perfect for navigating tight spaces with ease and style.

Know more

Morgan M Lectus – Premium mid-wheel drive
power wheelchair

Experience the pinnacle of comfort where advanced suspension seamlessly integrates with cutting-edge biomechanical design. The Morgan M Lectus stands as the premier model in the Morgan M series, delivering unparalleled driving performance alongside a comprehensive array of sophisticated rehabilitation options, thanks to its acclaimed Lectus seat.

Know more

Ergo 3 – The Next Generation of Lightweight Mobility

The latest Ergo member has finally arrived in the market! At the heart of this innovation lies the patented Ergo Back and lightweight technology. Discover the future of premium lightweight wheelchairs with the Ergo 3, where function and comfort converge in perfect harmony.

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Ergo 3

Morgan M Lectus

EVO Altus

Morgan M Versus

Morgan M Sling

Leon R Versus

Leon R Sling

Blazer Sling

Leon F Kameleon

Flexx Adapt

Flexx Junior

Ergo Aqua

Ergo Lite 2

We are excited to invite you to visit our booth at REHACare 2024. This year, we are pleased to present the newest models in the Ergo and Morgan M family. Our exhibit will feature:

Ergo Lite 2 for plus-size users:

The options for this ultra-lightweight wheelchair have been expanded to include increased seat width, seat-to-floor height, and weight capacity. The latest Ergo Lite 2 frame is now crash-tested and ready to serve.

Ergo 3, Next Gen Lightweight Manual Wheelchair:

At the heart of this innovation lies the patented Ergo Back. Tailored support for the lumbar region ensures the spine’s natural alignment. Discover the future of seating with the Ergo 3, where function and well-being converge in perfect harmony.

Morgan M Lectus, Premium Power Wheelchair:

Combining the complex positioning capabilities of our top-line EVO series power wheelchairs with our high-performance Morgan M mid-wheel drive power base.

Come to our booth to find out more. We look forward to seeing you soon!

The 2023 REHACare successfully concluded on September 16th. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our friends who attended the event. We sincerely appreciate your feedback, whether it’s regarding our products or services. It serves as a driving force for our continuous growth and improvement. We look forward to future collaborations as we strive to provide better mobility solutions.

Ergo 3 － Patent Ergo Back Design

A set of curved and adjustable Ergo Back Inserts provides direct lumbar support and maintains the spine’s natural alignment. It is the perfect solution for someone seeking a comfortable seating experience in a lightweight wheelchair.

Know more

Ergo Anti-tipper

Quick-Release AND Overcome Curb in ONE Single Step!

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2023 Rehacare Highlights!

Ergo 3

Leon R Versus

Leon F Versus

Morgan M Versus

Flexx Adapt

EVO Lectus LR

SOMA 215 TL

SOMA 215

KARMA Medical firmly believes in the concept of “Fit”; that is, to find the perfect mobility aid, one must consider the user’s body shape, medical needs, lifestyle, and budget search for the sweet balance of these four key elements to achieve an improved quality of life.

Flexx Adapt was designed under that philosophy. In the early stage of the research and development of Flexx Adapt, hundreds of therapists were involved in giving their opinions and advice. Through that process, a new standard for pediatric positioning products was created, with the fully adjustable and configurable seating system ensuring a comfortable and supportive fit throughout childhood.

Flexx Adapt
Innovative Pediatric Positioning Solution

✓ Growing Up with Flexx Adapt
Seat expandable with a rigid frame and adjustable seating system.

✓ 2-in-1 Pressure Relief
Combining the Tilt and Recline functions allow the user to achieve a nearly horizontal trunk position to redistribute pressure, facilitate transfers, perform postural adjustments, and undergo daily care (e.g., diaper changes).

✓ Personalized Seating System
The adaptive seating system allows a wide range of accessory options for the ultimate personalization. The back panel’s slide-slot design and side rail technology facilitate the addition of different headrests, armrests, and supports.

✓Dynamic Backrest to Protect the User
Sudden, uncontrolled movements from increased muscle tone pose risks to both the users and their wheelchairs. KARMA’s Dynamic Backrest diffuses and absorbs these forces, while supporting the user throughout their daily activities. With the flip of a switch, the backrest can be set to static mode, providing a stable support surface.

(Left) Therapist of KARMA, (Right) Chairman of National Federation of Associations of Physical Therapists of Taiwan R.O.C.

KARMA Medical was founded in 1987 under its namesake philosophy, taking action to spread positive energy and enrich the lives of the physically challenged community. Over the last three decades, all 900+ members of the KARMA family, across 13 global facilities, have worked tirelessly to perfect the “KARMA FIT”: a set of guiding principles by which we design and manufacture every KARMA wheelchair, mobility scooter, and walker. Our global cooperation with users, healthcare professionals, and government officials further drives our technological innovation to the industry forefront, empowering millions of people worldwide to live their lives to the fullest.

More about Flexx Adapt:

Flexx Adapt

I was an ordinary, introverted, family-oriented man with hobbies like planting flowers, raising birds, and fishing. However, I had to give up these hobbies due to physical limitations.

I didn’t believe studying hard was very important when I was younger, then I became an apprentice and worked on assembling steel frames. Unfortunately, accidents occurred during my work.

One day, while working at a construction site, I climbed to the third floor. I had taken my usual safety measures but didn’t realize that the safety hook had become unhooked. As a result, I fell from the third floor, and everything went blank.

After arriving at the hospital in a coma, I woke up the next day and couldn’t feel my lower limbs, as if they were gone.

The doctor informed me that I have T9-T11 spinal cord injuries and may be paralyzed for the rest of my life. I will be bedridden for the remainder of my life.

My initial thoughts were:  Why me? What should I do next? The following week, I was completely immobile and didn’t eat. I was immersed in negative emotions and could not accept the accident, and I was always in great physical pain.

With time, my wife and my friends kept me company. My daughter was still young and needed me. After approximately three months, I gradually came to terms with my situation. I began to cheer up and learned to face my challenges.

My philosophy is to “let it be” and accept what has happened. We should focus on the future instead of dwelling on the past. Our only option is to take our current situation and live life fully.

When the accident happened, he was in pain, and I also experienced some discomfort, albeit to a lesser degree. My daughter and I are both very supportive. We tried to be understanding and encouraged him.

We are glad he can live with joy, no longer in much physical pain.

After recovering, I went to the hospital for treatment. When I saw other patients in the rehabilitation room, I realized how fortunate I was. I can move from the waist up, which is a blessing compared to completely paralyzed people. I felt happy and grateful. If they can still do rehabilitation despite being completely paralyzed, why can’t I try it too?

Apart from receiving rehabilitation treatment at the hospital, a therapist is coming to my home to teach me simple exercises like pulling elastic ropes and standing. I used a Gaiter and stood at a right angle when practicing standing.

When using the Gaiter for rehabilitation, I would feel tired after standing for a short time, and my feet would start to bend. Then, my coach (my wife) would urge me to stand straight by staring at me. The duration of my standing practice gradually increased from 30 to 40, 50 minutes, and eventually to 1 hour, which was the limit. My wife had to tie the Gaiter for me daily, a complex and laborious task.

Later, my family nurse noticed that I was standing crookedly and was concerned that the rehabilitation effect would not be significant. As a solution, he recommended Karma’s standing wheelchair Ergo Stand.

KARMA’s Ergo Stand enabled me to stand up and release the tension on my feet, significantly reducing the discomfort and pain caused by cramps. Additionally, I no longer required previous assistive devices, saving me much time and effort. This new standing wheelchair has also benefited my rehabilitation, as I can now stand upright.

Also, I don’t have to worry about having enough strength to push the wheelchair after using my “Ergo Stand” because it’s an electric wheelchair. With simple operations, I can drive the wheelchair for a walk at any time.

With the “Ergo Stand“, he can carry things alone without our help and ease our workload. Sometimes, he goes to the market alone to buy something, and I don’t have to worry too much or push him around like before; it also allows me to attend to my affairs.

On the birthday of my discharge from the hospital, my daughter surprised me by buying a sponge cake. At first, I was disappointed by the cake’s appearance and thought, “Why did they get such a simple cake for my birthday?”

However, I was overjoyed when I discovered that my daughter and wife had hidden a surprise inside for me to pull out. The more I pulled, the happier I became. I felt grateful for their thoughtfulness.

Featured Product:

Ergo Stand

“The Zwarte Cross was one of the most beautiful festivals I’ve experienced in the past twelve years,” Sanne said. “I could stand ten meters away from the main stage. It was so much fun and a great experience.” 

Her friends were so moved to see her standing that they decided to set up a crowdfunding campaign so that she could buy her standing wheelchair. “We are going to do everything we can so that she can continue to do this,” says her friend Monique. “This should not be a one-off event for Sanne.” 

They received the money within three days; from now on, Sanne can stand whenever she wants!

Sanne: “It’s special that I can now look into the pan while cooking. I haven’t been able to do that for 12 years with my other wheelchair.”

Source and special thank to:  

Life & Mobility & Zwarte Cross project

Read how it all started at: Sanne kan na 12 jaar eindelijk weer staan: ‘Dit voelt heel emotioneel’

Featured Product:

SME

Independence and freedom

The wheelchair is the most popular assistive device, and it’s easy to see why. A wheelchair can give back the feeling of independence and freedom to someone who might have previously felt dependent and restricted. A wheelchair can provide mobility to someone to help them get around, no matter how short or far the distance. A wheelchair can assist a wide range of mobility levels, lifestyles, backgrounds, and environment, making it the most versatile assistive device on the market. 

Having access to a wheelchair allows the user to travel independently wherever they want, whenever they need. The control they have over their own life will also improve self-confidence and allow users to take control of their own lives. 

Improves health

A wheelchair that fits properly can reduce secondary injuries such as scoliosis and pressure sores as a result of an ill-fitting wheelchair. With the proper wheelchair and supports, the wheelchair user can better propel and participate in more physical activities, thus improving their health. Choosing the right wheelchair not only means that the chair fits correctly, but it is also suitable for the user’s lifestyle. For example, if the user plans to use their wheelchair as their main form of transformation, if possible, the user can select a power wheelchair. This will relieve some of the physical effort that comes from propelling a wheelchair for long periods of time. 

Being able to move around comfortably will improve the user’s mental health by being able to take control of their own life and enjoying the freedom that comes along with having your own mobility device. 

Active member of the community

Wheelchairs are incredibly versatile and can be use used by men, women, young, or old. All of these roles are vital in an active community. In order to access the community, whether it be to go to work or attend school, a wheelchair can be used to provide access to these and other various activities. Without access to friends, family and peers, life can become lonely, so it’s important to have a way to access the company of others. 

No matter what wheelchair you decide to choose, there are benefits that go beyond recovery or rehabilitation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) states that having a personal mobility device is a human right. A personal mobility device should have the ability to move in a matter and at the time of one’s own choice. Acquiring a wheelchair is not only a choice, but a human right. If you need help choosing the right wheelchair for you, KARMA Medical are always here to help.

iAccess Life App

iAccess Life is an app that allows wheelchair users to communicate and share their experiences at establishments around the world. This kind of information is essential to wheelchair users to prepare in advance if their destination is wheelchair accessible. In the event that a location isn’t wheelchair accessible, app users can share that information with the wheelchair community. This app is not only great for wheelchair users, but anyone with impaired mobility. In the iAccess Life app users can rate the parking, seating, entrance, and bathroom. This app allows for better planning when visiting hotels, restaurants, and stores. Download: iAccess Life for Android | iOS.

Wheelmap

The Wheelmap app is similar to the iAccess Life app in that it is a place for users to rate the accessibility of their destination. For wheelchair users who rely on their wheelchair as their main mode of transportation, apps like this can help them avoid locations that aren’t wheelchair accessible. On Wheelmap, users can upload pictures of the accessible locations for other wheelchair users to assess if they can visit! Wheelmap for Android | iOS

Uber

Uber is a popular ride-sharing app that you may have used before, however, did you know that they also cater specifically to wheelchair users? There is a specific option for you to choose when you need a wheelchair accessible vehicle. Whilst all Uber’s are equipped to store a wheelchair or other mobility devices in their car, you will have to request a specific car in order to use your wheelchair as a seat in a motor vehicle. In the event that your destination is not wheelchair accessible, you can always call an Uber to take you somewhere more convenient. 

The safety of our wheelchair user’s is of the utmost importance, so it’s important that if you intend to travel in a car with your wheelchair, that you pick a chair that has been crash tested. This means that your chair has been approved to be used as a chair in a vehicle according to international safety standard ISO 7176-19. Uber for Android | iOS

Sharing your experience with others is an important part of accessibility. Not only with the wheelchair community, but to the businesses that you weren’t able to access in the hopes they will update their facilities. To avoid disappointment in the future, if you can plan ahead for your journey. In a previous blog, we shared some ways to check if your destination is wheelchair accessible, as well as how to reach your destination with a wheelchair. If you’re unsure about what wheelchair is most suited to you and your lifestyle, you can contact KARMA Medical.