The five key numbers we need to help build your patient the perfect chair.

One of our strengths at Recliners is that, alongside our range of chairs, we are able to build bespoke chairs to meet individual clients’ needs. As on OT, you can help us in this process by taking your patient’s measurements to help us make that chair that will best fit their body shape, and serve their needs.

There are five key measurements to take. These are: Seat height; back height; seat width, seat depth and arm rest height.

The following is a brief guide to taking these key measurements. Don’t forget, if you are unsure about any aspect of measuring a chair for your patient, or would like further advice on the best chair to meet their needs, you can contact our friendly team on 01443 431000.

Seat Height

Seat height is the distance between the floor and the seat. This is an important one to get right, as the feet can do important work in helping reduce the amount of pressure that goes through the thighs and buttocks, therefore reducing the chance of pressure injuries. To take the measurement, measure the distance between the back of the knee and the sole of the foot. Note that you should do this for each leg to account for any differences in leg length.

Back Height

Sit your patient upright in a chair, and take the distance between the crown of their head, to the point where their coccyx meets the cushion. Taking this measurement correctly ensures that the neck and head have adequate support.

Seat Width

This is an important measurement, as it defines how well supported the patient will be, as well as the distance between their arms. It’s also one of the more challenging measurements to get right, as you need to account for the patient’s body shape, and you may take the measurement from a different place depending on the patient. Make sure the patient is sitting with their knees facing forwards, and take your measurement from the widest part of your patient in the seat. Typically, this will either be the hips or the knees.

Seat Depth

Getting this right helps ensure that the pressure on the buttocks and feet is optimal. Place your flat hand on the patient’s coccyx and take a measurement from here, to the back of their knee. Then subtract around 3cm to whatever measurement you take to leave a little ‘swing room’, as you don’t want the cusion to be too tight against the patient’s knees.

Arm Rest Height

Correctly placed arms con do a lot to help with a patient’s posture, so taking this measurement correctly is important. Seat your patient with a straight back, and rest their arms at ninety degrees. Now measure from the bottom of the elbow, to the top of the cushion.

Don’t forget, if you have any questions about taking measurements for one of our bespoke chairs, or want to know further information about how our chairs can help your patients, you can get in touch here.

Previous Inside Recliners — Issue 41

Hi and welcome to the August issue of Inside Recliners. We hope that you enjoyed the stunning weather over the Bank Holiday weekend, and that you’ve had a great summer whether you ventured abroad or enjoyed a staycation here in the UK. It’s been all go in the factory as usual, and we’ve some exciting...

Next Chair of the Month – The Eco-Flex

The Eco-Flex is one of our most popular models.