Electric Wheelchairs and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy: An Overview

Spinal muscular atrophy, or SMA, is a disease that affects motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. It’s caused by a genetic mutation in a gene called the survival motor neuron gene 1 (SMN1). SMN1 in healthy people produces a protein needed for motor neurons to function properly. Those with SMA don’t produce this protein properly. Nerve cells that don’t get this protein die off, which causes extreme muscle weakness, which is often fatal.

People with this condition have great difficulty with muscular functions. In some cases, critical ones like breathing and swallowing are affected. The degree of difficulty depends on the type of spinal muscular atrophy. There are four main types of SMA, discussed below.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1

Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 is the most common and the most severe. Most type 1 diagnoses are made within an infant’s first six months of life. Infants with SMA type 1 typically have trouble breathing, coughing, and swallowing. Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 is usually fatal for infants.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2

Usually, spinal muscular atrophy type 2 is diagnosed between 6 months and 2 years, when parents or caregivers notice a child’s failure to meet typical motor milestones. Most who are diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 can remain in a sitting position without help. They will require a wheelchair.

Other Types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Those with spinal muscular atrophy type 3, also called juvenile SMA, can walk at first, but their mobility becomes limited over time. Most are diagnosed between 18 months and 3 years, though some are diagnosed later. Many with spinal muscular atrophy type 3 need a wheelchair.
Spinal muscular atrophy type 4, or adult-onset SMA, causes mild motor impairment and is the easiest of the main types to live with. Unfortunately, it’s also the rarest form of SMA.

Electric Wheelchairs and Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Those facing a spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis may benefit from a power chair to aid their mobility. If you or a loved one have the condition, you probably have lots of questions about power chairs.
Maybe you’re wondering how fast or how far an electric wheelchair can go. Maybe you’re curious about their weight and portability. Or perhaps you’d like to learn the difference between front-, rear-, and mid-wheel drive power chairs. If you have questions, check out our power chairs guide, which is designed to answer some of your most important questions about electric wheelchairs.

How Electric Wheelchairs Can Meet Patient Needs

Many children and adults living with spinal muscular atrophy need some mobility assistance. For many people living with the disease, the best form of mobility assistance is an electric wheelchair, such as the Edge 3 or the 4Front®. Depending on the severity of the condition, users may need customized functions like iLevel® Power Adjustable Seat Height. This option allows users to elevate up to 12 inches and drive at 4.5 mph while elevated. or specialty drive controls for those with minimal hand strength.