The Bamboo Brace

Product Description

• The Bamboo Brace is a dynamic elbow splint for children with special needs that encourages extension of the elbow at more favorable angles in order to learn gross and fine motor skills as well as prevent undesired oral/facial interaction.
• 5 different size options which fit children from as young as 2-3 months up to adults.
• The Bamboo Brace is excellent for both cases of spasticity (i.e. cerebral palsy) and weakness (i.e. low muscle tone, Down syndrome).  In both situations, the dynamic re-alignment of the elbow assists children in gaining strength and control of key joints and musculature that are critical to the development of gross and fine motor skills.
• As a flexible yet effective deterrent, The Bamboo Brace also prevents unwanted interaction of the child’s hands with the head, neck, and face for a variety of situations including mouthing, hand wringing, post cleft lip and palate surgery, autism and Rett syndrome.

Here is what makes The Bamboo Brace design unique: 

• Depending on the size ordered, each Bamboo Brace contains either 4-5 interchangeable stays that offer different amounts of resistance – the therapist or caregiver can choose which stay to use depending on the child’s needs.
• It is a snug fit that can easily be worn under clothes.
• It has a non-slip surface to minimize misalignment.
• Each size of the brace accommodates for growth
• Sold as individual braces, no left or right, if you require a pair you simply order 2 braces.

The Bamboo Brace is available in 5 sizes and is designed to cover the area from the bend of the elbow joint to about halfway to the underarm (axilla) and about halfway to the wrist.  

Detailed Guide For Sizing The Bamboo Brace

The Bamboo Brace - Infant/Toddler (XS)

Age Range:

2-3 months - about 18-20 months

Specs:

4.0" long x 8.0" in girth (wrap-around) x 1.5mm thick

Recommendations:

The child should have 2" of space above the elbow before the underarm and below the elbow before the wrist. To ensure a secure fit and performance, we recommend 3/4" as the minimum amount of overlap on the wrap-around portion.

Notes:

In infants to young toddlers with lower muscle tone/weakness (i.e. Down syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome) the

Infant/Toddler (XS)  brace can be worn in children as old as 2 years. However, if your child has significant spasticity (i.e. cerebral palsy) and is on the older end of the suggested age range, consider purchasing a Preschool (S) brace. 

The Bamboo Brace - Preschool (S)

Age Range:

18-20 months - about 3.0 years

Specs:

5.5” long x 8.0” in girth (wrap-around) x 1.5mm thick

Recommendations:

The child should have 3" of space above the elbow before the underarm and below the elbow before the wrist. To ensure a secure fit and performance, we recommend 3/4" as the minimum amount of overlap on the wrap-around portion.

Notes:

The Preschool (S) size is very effective on a wide-range of children. It is a sound selection if your child is growing out of toddlerhood and is of average size for their age. As noted previously, we highly recommend you avoid bracing the entire length of the arm if possible (underarm to wrist). Consider purchasing the Early Gradeschool (M) size for children approaching 4 years in cases of spasticity (i.e. cerebral palsy) or in children who have a very strong, determined urge to interact with the head, neck and face in unwanted fashion.

The Bamboo Brace - Early Gradeschool (M)

Age Range:

About 4 years – 8-9 Years 

Specs:

7.25” long x 10.25” in girth (wrap-around) x 3.0mm thick

Recommendations:

The child should have 4" of space above the elbow before the underarm and below the elbow before the wrist. To ensure a secure fit and performance, we recommend 3/4" as the minimum amount of overlap on the wrap-around portion.

Notes:

The Early Gradeschool (M) brace is a good option for many 3-4 year-olds through 9 year olds. There are some larger 3-year-olds especially those with a significant amount of spasticity at the elbow, (such as spastic quadriplegia/spastic diplegia cerebral palsy) who will also do well with this size as long as they have at least 4” of space above and below the elbow. The Early Gradeschool (M) size is also a favorite for younger girls with Rett syndrome, as well as children with autism and other genetic diagnoses where it helps deter mouthing, hand wringing and facial interaction. 

The Bamboo Brace - Adolescent (L)

Age Range:

9-10 years – about 15-18 years

Specs:

9.0” long x 12.0” in girth (wrap-around) x 3.0mm thick

Recommendations:

The child should have 5" of space above the elbow before the underarm and below the elbow before the wrist. To ensure a secure fit and performance, we recommend 3/4" as the minimum amount of overlap on the wrap-around portion.

Notes:

The Adolescent (L) size is designed for children in the later stages of gradeschool to those middle teen years. A full 5” above and below the elbow is recommended for this size and nearly full passive range of motion is helpful in determining its effectiveness in rehab situations as opposed to a contracture management tool.

The Bamboo Brace - Teen (XL) / Adult

Age Range:

14-15 years – adult 

Specs:

10.5” long x 15.0” in girth (wrap-around) x 3.0mm thick

Recommendations:

The person should have 6-7" of space above the elbow before the underarm and below the elbow before the wrist. To ensure a secure fit and performance, we recommend 3/4" as the minimum amount of overlap on the wrap-around portion.

Notes:

The Teen (XL) / Adult is the newest addition to our product line and is designed for children in the middle to later teenage years to through adulthood. A full 6-7” above and below the elbow is recommended for this size and nearly full passive range of motion is helpful in determining its effectiveness in rehab situations as opposed to a contracture management tool.