Footrest Hanger Angle
The angle, measured in degrees, at which a wheelchair footrest hanger is set relative to vertical, determining lower-limb positioning and floor clearance.
Full Definition
Footrest hanger angle is a key wheelchair configuration parameter recorded in seating assessment and prescription documents. Standard angles include 60°, 70°, and 90° (riggings), with smaller angles placing the footrest further forward and lower. In rehab technology documentation, editors encounter this term in wheelchair prescription forms, seating reports, and equipment configuration records. Incorrect transcription of the hanger angle can result in a wheelchair being built to wrong specifications, affecting posture, pressure distribution, and propulsion efficiency. The term is sometimes rendered as 'footrest angle' or 'rigging angle'; editors should confirm the preferred term for a given manufacturer or clinical setting.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from 'footplate angle' (the angle of the platform on which the foot rests) and 'seat-to-footrest length' (the linear dimension of the hanger).
In Context
- "The prescription specified a 70° footrest hanger angle to accommodate the client's knee flexion contracture." — Wheelchair prescription form
- "Editors reviewing wheelchair configuration sheets should verify that footrest hanger angle values are numeric and expressed in degrees." — Equipment configuration document review