For the stainless steel SP model rehab shower commode chair, Raz Design offers a choice of either 22” or 24” diameter wheels. In Canada and Europe, 22” is the more popular option. However, in the US, the overwhelming majority of clients specify the 24” wheels. One reason for this may be that historically, both Everest & Jennings and Invacare offered only 24” wheels. Another manufacturer currently offers 24” or 20” wheels but the 20“ is too small to propel efficiently because the handrims are too far away for most clients. This leaves the 24” as the default choice.
Raz Design’s 22” wheels is the better choice over 20“ wheels and has a few functional advantages when compared to the 24” wheel:
- 22” wheels provide more space for lateral transfers because they intrude less into the space above the seat.
- Better side access for bowel and hygiene care because the 22” wheels intrude less into the space required for side access.
- Better alignment of the commode seat over a toilet bowl because the 22” wheels allow the chair to get back further before they contact the wall.
On the negative side, for clients who have their seats adjusted very high or for clients with very short arms, reaching the handrims and pushing for propulsion on a 22” wheel is slightly more difficult than on a 24” wheel. There is no cost different between the two wheel sizes.
