Wheelchair Footrests and Legrests

Although all legrests are footrests, all footrests are not legrests. A footrest is a component of the wheelchair which the user's foot will rest on while using the chair. A legrest is a similar component but has the ability to lift up enabling the straightening and supporting of the leg. Both of these components can usually be swung out to the side of the wheelchair and removed to lighten the chair and enable standing transfers.

Wheelchair Footrests

Footrests are normally available in 90, 70 or 60 degree angles. A 90 degree footrest is usually available only for children and will the position the feet at 90 degrees to the thighs and directly below the knees. A 70 degree footrest can be used for either adults or children and will position the feet at a 70 degree angle to the thighs and a little forward of the knees. A 60 degree footrest will position the feet at a 60 degree angle to the thighs and fairly far ahead of the knees.

The closer the feet are to being directly under the knees the shorter the turning radius of the wheelchair. Therefore the 90 degree footrests will have the shortest radius and the 60 degree footrests which have the longest turning radius. A shorter turning radius makes the wheelchair more functional in tight places such as washrooms, hallways doorways and elevators.

The 90 degree footrests are only available to kids because the footrests will interfere with the wheelchair casters (front wheels), if they are too long. The 70 degree footrests are a compromise for those whose want to keep their turning radius as short as possible but can't use the 90 degree footrests. The 70 degree footrests will be closer to the ground than the 60 degree footrests and may interfere with the wheelchair casters if the user has longer legs. The 60 degree option is often the only option for those with long legs and those who require a fairly high ground clearance. Ground clearance is an issue for people who regularly travel over rough terrain.

Wheelchair Legrests

Legrests on the other hand have an infinitely adjustable angle and can be adjusted anywhere from almost touching the casters to horizontal to the thighs. Of course the turning radius is huge when the legrests are elevated but so is the ground clearance. Legrests also have some sort of calf pad to support the lower leg when they are elevated.  Legrests are commonly prescribed with tilting and reclining wheelchairs but can also be prescribed on conventional chairs.

Users who have tight hamstrings or other conditions which restrict the extension of the knee will have difficulty with elevating legrests and possibly 60 or 70 degree footrests. When the user cannot extend the knee far enough to comfortably rest on the footrest they are actually pulled forward in the wheelchair which can lead to discomfort, poor posture and even pressure sores. Often, very creative modifications must be created to the wheelchair or seating to accommodate these users.

Most legrests and footrests swing out to the side of the chair and many have to be swung to be removed. A few of the more innovative wheelchair companies have designed chairs where the front riggings (footrests and legrests), can be lifted off vertically or swung under the seat. The vertical removal or swinging under the seat of front rigging is a great benefit when in tight spaces.

Wheelchair Footplates

All front rigging require some sort of foot plate to rest the foot on and foot plates are standard features. For those who have difficulty with standard foot plates there is an option of angle adjustable foot plates. Angle adjustable foot plates can be adjusted to accommodate users who don't have the ankle flexion to rest comfortably on standard foot plates. Adjustibility of these plates are usually front to back and side to side angle adjustibility. There is also some forward and back adjustibility on these foot plates to shorten turning radius or accommodate for lack of knee flexion a little.

Wheelchair Heel Loops

Heel loops are pretty much standard on all foot plates and are intended to prevent the feet from sliding off the back of the foot plate. They are a little redundant for users of legrests with calf pads and usually are crushed over time by users with footrests but are helpful to some.

Wheelchair Toe Loops

Toe loops can also be added to foot plates to prevent the feet from kicking forward off the foot plates, but most users prefer not to have their feet restrained in this way. A strap across the front of the shins or ankles attached to the front rigging will often achieve the same result without being as restraining for the user.