Guía de Medición
7 Medidas Que
Determinan tu Ajuste
Una silla de ruedas que no se ajusta a tu cuerpo causa lesiones por presión, daño en los hombros y una propulsión ineficiente. Aquí te explicamos cómo tomar correctamente las medidas que determinan el ajuste — antes de armar tu silla.
Lo que necesitas
- Una cinta métrica suave (de tela o plástico flexible)
- Una superficie firme y plana para sentarte (no un sofá o silla blanda)
- El calzado que normalmente usas en tu silla
- Un ayudante — la mayoría de estas medidas son más fáciles con una segunda persona
- Una libreta o la hoja de trabajo en PDF de abajo
- Tu silla de ruedas actual, si tienes una (el número de serie y la hoja de especificaciones ayudan)
No te preocupes si no puedes obtener todo por tu cuenta. Daryl puede guiarte a través de las medidas durante una consulta de ajuste gratuita. Mientras más tengas listo, más específicas pueden ser las recomendaciones — pero que falte una medida no es motivo para retrasarte.
Las 7 medidas
Seat Width — Hip Width + Clearance
Qué es
The widest point of your hips or thighs in a seated position.
Por qué importa
Determines the internal frame width. Too wide → inefficient propulsion arc, shoulder problems. Too narrow → pressure points at the greater trochanters and outer thighs.
Cómo medir
Sit on a firm, flat surface. Measure across the widest point of your hips/thighs with a soft tape measure. Add 0.5–1 inch for clearance. This is your target seat width.
Error común
Measuring standing hip width. Seated width is different — often wider — because soft tissue spreads when you sit. Always measure seated.
Seat Depth — Popliteal to Back of Buttock
Qué es
The distance from the back of your buttock to the crease behind your knee.
Por qué importa
Determines how far back the seat extends under your thighs. Too deep cuts off circulation behind the knee and causes skin breakdown. Too shallow shifts weight onto your sitting bones and tips the pelvis forward.
Cómo medir
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your back against a wall. Measure from the wall to the crease behind your knee. Subtract 1–2 inches for clearance. That's your seat depth.
Error común
Forgetting the clearance subtraction. A seat depth equal to your full measurement will press against the back of the knee. The 1–2 inch clearance is not optional.
Back Height
Qué es
The height from the seat surface to the top of your back support.
Por qué importa
Back height determines how much trunk support you get and how much propulsion clearance you have. Too high restricts shoulder movement during propulsion; too low provides insufficient trunk support.
Cómo medir
Sit on a firm, flat surface. For active users, the back height is typically 1–2 inches below the bottom tip of your shoulder blade — low enough that your arm can swing freely through a full push stroke. For users who need more trunk support, measure to your shoulder height.
Error común
Setting back height to shoulder height for active users. A lower back (stopping below the shoulder blade) allows your arm to move freely through its full range — this protects your shoulder over time.
Lower Leg Length — Seat to Heel
Qué es
The distance from the back of the knee to the bottom of the heel.
Por qué importa
Determines footrest height. If the footrests are too high, your thighs are lifted off the seat, which puts too much pressure on your sitting bones. If too low, your feet dangle and your thighs bear no weight — also bad.
Cómo medir
Sit on a firm surface with your knee bent at 90 degrees. Measure from the crease behind your knee to the bottom of your heel. Note: measure in the shoes or footwear you plan to use in the chair.
Error común
Not measuring in footwear. A 1-inch heel changes the effective lower leg length and therefore the footrest height needed. Always include shoes in the measurement.
Trunk Width
Qué es
The width of your torso at the widest point of your ribcage, measured seated.
Por qué importa
Relevant for lateral trunk supports and back width. If you have significant trunk asymmetry, this helps determine the back support configuration.
Cómo medir
Sit upright. Measure the width of your ribcage at the widest point. Compare to your hip width — in most users, hip width determines seat width, but trunk width informs back support configuration.
Error común
Skipping this measurement if you have postural asymmetry. Obliquity and rotation affect how trunk width translates to support needs. Don't estimate — measure.
Hip Width — Widest Point
Qué es
The widest point of your hips and upper thighs, measured seated.
Por qué importa
This is typically the primary measurement for seat width determination. Some users are wider at the hips than the thighs — this is the relevant number for seat width.
Cómo medir
Sit on a firm surface. Measure the widest point of your hips and outer thighs. Compare to measurement #1. Use whichever is wider as the basis for seat width + clearance.
Error común
Using the narrower of two measurements. Always use the widest point. A chair that's slightly wide is manageable; a chair that's too narrow causes pressure injuries.
Body Weight
Qué es
Your current body weight, in pounds.
Por qué importa
Determines frame weight capacity and cushion selection. Every frame has a published weight limit. Weight also informs cushion type, pressure injury risk, and seat support requirements.
Cómo medir
Current body weight in pounds. If your weight fluctuates significantly (10+ lbs regularly), note the range. Use your higher weight as the planning figure for capacity decisions.
Error común
Using an outdated weight. If you haven't weighed yourself recently, do so before you order. A 30-pound underestimate affects both frame selection and cushion specification.
Ten listo para una consulta
- Las 7 medidas anteriores, por escrito
- Tu diagnóstico y un breve historial funcional (cuánto tiempo llevas usando una silla de ruedas, cualquier cambio reciente)
- Cualquier historial de lesiones por presión, deterioro de la piel o heridas
- La marca, modelo y número de serie de tu silla actual, si aplica
- Cualquier evaluación de posicionamiento existente, notas de terapia física/ocupacional o documentación de prescripción
- Tu información de seguro — aunque las sillas son de pago directo, Daryl puede usarla como referencia para el contexto del pedido
¿Listo?
Arma tu silla.
Asesoría gratuita cuando la quieras.
Configura cualquier silla en línea con peso, ancho y precio en vivo. ¿Quieres ayuda para obtener bien las medidas y opciones? Una consulta de ajuste gratuita con Daryl Bullard está disponible cuando la pidas.