I Tried the Quantum Q6 Edge 3 Stretto for My Multiple Sclerosis, and Here Is What Happened
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After two decades of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, I am now in the secondary-progressive phase, since 2012. Much has changed: I am no longer ambulatory, parts of my body are slower with volitional movements, and life as I knew it has completely changed.
The Quantum Q6 Edge 3 Stretto is the first tilt-recline wheelchair I have used, and I was hoping to find more comfort and better security in it than I have with my current setup. So far, I have found that I can take my power nap in the chair by completely reclining it instead of transferring to my bed if no one is around to spot me.
Features of the Edge 3 Stretto
There are two main components, or assemblies, to this well-designed wheelchair. The first is the seat assembly, consisting of basically the seat base, including the armrests and seat. The second assembly consists of the motor base, including the 12.5-inch drive wheels and smaller caster wheels.
This design is good, with an overall width of 20.75 inches, which is a narrow wheelchair for adults and kids. It has a weight capacity of up to 300 pounds (lb).
The seat of the Edge 3 Stretto has a lift of 12 inches, and the user can maneuver the chair at any height. The seat is able to recline into a fully supine position, and the footrests can similarly bring the legs up to allow a supine position. Reclining the seat too far, as indicated on the control panel, will prevent the chair from moving.
The tilt and recline features give the user the ability to shift around and change positions, which could lower the risk of pressure sores. The seat itself is a comfortable cushion, available in a range of sizes.
The control panel has charging capability as well as indoor and outdoor speeds. Indoor speeds are “slow” and “moderate,” with the ability to change speed within those categories; outdoor speeds are “moderate” and “fast.”
Buttons or a diagram indicate how to engage functions such as lifting the seat, reclining the seat, and raising the footrests.
What Happened When I Tried It
The seat was very comfortable, and at 16 by 16 inches, it was the perfect size for me.
I did have to get used to how powerful this machine was, in spite of being so compact. I spent time exploring the indoor speed, which is what I have used so far.
The chair does have a “back” side that sticks out more than anything else I have used, and I had to change the way I turned. There was a tendency to back into walls and furniture, and given the power of the machine, I did cause unintentional damage. This machine has the power to take down an entire wall.
Once I understood better how to use the chair, I enjoyed its ability to tilt and recline. It could be a recliner chair in which to rest or watch movies.
I included a tray in my order, which can be put on and taken off, sometimes with help, since it is not very light. But when it is on, I can place a beverage on it, which I drink with a straw, or use my iPad on a nonslip surface.
4 Things I Liked About This Chair
1. It Can Turn on a Dime
As powerful as this device is, it literally turns on its own axis. This allows me to back up from a table and turn without running into something and causing damage.
2. It Allows the User to Recline
Often it is very nice to be able to lean back and put my feet up, which shifts my butt, allowing for some movement and relieving pressure. The reclining position can be taken into full supine, eliminating the need for me to transfer into my bed to take a nap.
3. The Footrests Help With Toileting
Most people with MS have neurogenic bowel, which means communication between the brain and the nerves that control the colon is interrupted or dysfunctional, resulting in a variety of bowel problems. Another wonderful feature of this chair is that I am able to put my feet on the footrests and raise them up slightly to achieve a “squat” position for passing stool.
4. The Chair Can Be Used Indoors and Outdoors
The tires can go outdoors as well as indoors, and the weight limit of 300 lb allows for the use of most ramps. I have not taken the wheelchair outside yet, but I can tell how powerful it will be.
3 Things I Did Not Like About the Chair
1. The Footrests Don’t Go Down Far Enough
My biggest complaint about this chair has to do with the footrests. Somehow, even though they go up and down, they never go down far enough.
That said, I did find a way to put my paralyzed foot on one of the footrests while transferring in and out of the chair. So in that way, the footrests are helpful.
2. The Power of the Chair Can Be Dangerous
The healthcare aides who help me do not find this device friendly. The joystick is extremely sensitive, and I have spent time learning how to make it work for me. But they’ve also had trouble with it. My certified nursing assistant accidentally got her sweatshirt caught on the joystick, which led the machine to propel forward, inadvertently really hurting my feet with the footrests.
3. The Device Is Very Heavy
At a base weight of just over 126 lb, not including two heavy batteries, the Edge 3 Stretto is not portable, and it’s proving hazardous for internal flooring. My partner is keeping a serious eye on our floorboards. We may have to resort to using the lighter Jazzy Passport wheelchair, if it comes to it.
Carpets also tend to get caught up in the wheels of the Edge 3 Stretto. Since it is not worth the chaos of getting a carpet caught up in the machine, it is best to eliminate carpets and rugs.
The Bottom Line
The Edge 3 Stretto wheelchair came to me through Medicare, and the person who oversaw the process has a spinal cord injury himself. His abilities are different from mine, but he is aware of my trials. I do not know the actual cost of the chair, but I can guess it is more than I could afford on my own.
This chair is chock-full of features. As I said, it has outdoor capability, which I look forward to using in the spring. But because its weight is hard on the floors, I may park it in my handicapped addition and use the lighter Jazzy Passport chair for the house. That would be a good solution if the floor is affected. Otherwise, I am more than satisfied with the Quantum Q6 Edge 3 Stretto.
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