unique orthopaedic devices

The Bamboo Brace^® Overview

Dynamic Elbow Brace
for Children and Adults with Disabilities

What is The Bamboo Brace?

The Bamboo Brace is a dynamic elbow splint for children and adults with motor impairments that encourages extension of the elbow at more favourable angles to facilitate the development of gross and fine motor skills, as well as manage undesired stereotypies and oral/facial interaction.

Why was it Created?

The Bamboo Brace was created to promote motor skill development in a time when standard available braces were bulky, rigid and inflexible, not allowing children to transition between developmental postures and acquire meaningful function.

Why is The Bamboo Brace Helpful?

With The Bamboo Brace applied, children can isolate the joints of the arm and leg without as much interference from unhelpful spastic patterns or from generalized weakness. The Bamboo Brace supports users in better controlling each joint separately. This dynamic joint re-alignment enhances motor control, freedom of movement, strength, and overall function thereby allowing skills such as rolling, sitting, crawling, standing, and walking more achievable.

How does The Bamboo Brace Work?

The Bamboo Brace was designed to support motor skill development in children with disabilities. When the elbow is positioned at less than 45 degrees of flexion, the brace's dynamic rebound helps to strengthen the weaker posterior muscle groups. At the same time, bracing the elbow allows the shoulder, scapula, and abdominal muscles to work more effectively without disruption from undesirable spastic patterns. By improving segmental control at both the shoulder and elbow, children can more easily practice, repeat, and master new motor skills.

Who can The Bamboo Brace Help?

High Tone (Predominant Flexion Patterns)

Children with conditions such as cerebral palsy, head injury and stroke often present with predominant elbow and knee flexion patterns which can slow motor development. Dynamic bracing with The Bamboo Brace supports more functional movement by counteracting these spastic patterns.

Low Tone (Weakness and Instability)

Children with extremity weakness, joint instability and brachial plexus injury typically associated with lower muscle tone and genetic conditions such as Down syndrome, Autism, Prader–Willi syndrome, and rare trisomies, also benefit from The Bamboo Brace. The brace provides support and stability while encouraging active use and strengthening in the arm, shoulder and core.

Stereotypy Management

Although designed for rehabilitation, The Bamboo Brace also assists in managing stereotypies such as hand wringing, repetitive interaction of the child's hands with their head, neck and face, and self-harm behaviours. This is especially useful for users with conditions such as Rett syndrome, Autism and children recovering from facial surgeries.

Note

The Bamboo Brace is not intended as a contracture management (stretching) tool but more of a dynamic rehabilitation brace for motor skill development. If users are more contracted than about 20-30 degrees at the elbow then The Bamboo Brace is not an effective solution.

Features of The Bamboo Brace

● Made of latex-free neoprene with a secure hook and loop fastening enclosure

● Available in 5 sizes, fitting ages from infancy through adulthood

● 5 interchangeable plastic supports, each with different degrees of flexibility and resistance for treatment of varying diagnoses

● An affordable option compared to heavy and bulky custom moulded orthotics

● Lightweight, durable and hand-washable with a sleek/snug design that can be worn under clothing

Benefits of The Bamboo Brace

● The Bamboo Brace promotes independent motor control of the trunk, shoulder, wrist and hand while decreasing spastic elbow interference, allowing the user to learn new and more functional ways to move

● The Bamboo Brace encourages overall strengthening of the arm for learning of gross motor skills in children with lower muscle tone and weakness

● The Bamboo Brace assists the arm(s) during weight bearing, crawling and transitions to standing and walking

● The Bamboo Brace allows for easier and more effective use of assistive devices (walkers, canes and crutches) in addition to bikes, trikes, scooters, wheelchairs and sports equipment

● The Bamboo Brace improves equilibrium, balance and protective reactions within all developmental positions and upright activities like sitting, kneeling, standing, cruising, bridging and walking

● The Bamboo Brace was created and designed by practicing paediatric Physiotherapists

How is The Bamboo Brace Different from Other Bracing Products?

● Adjustable resistance provides the optimal level of flexibility, enhancing gross and fine motor skill development across a variety of diagnoses

● 4-way stretch neoprene design for greater usability and versatility during movement

● Twin hook & loop tabs allowing a tapered and snug-fit across a wide range of arm sizes

● Sleek and snug-fitting design easily worn under clothing

● Provides a comfortable, easy-to-wear sensory and movement experience

Recommended Wearing Schedule for The Bamboo Brace

Children with Spasticity

When treating spasticity with the use of The Bamboo Brace, the goal is to learn function by dynamically extending and re-aligning the elbow while facilitating greater independent control and strength of the trunk and shoulder. To achieve this, the brace should be worn beyond therapy sessions as a home program tool. Once tolerance is established, we recommend 4-6 hours daily, broken up into 2-3 hour blocks while the user is active and engaged.

Children with Low Tone and Weakness

Typically, children with lower muscle tone and weakness have balanced and complete motor control at the shoulder/ elbow but lack overall strength and stability. In this instance brace use is best focused on therapy sessions and structured exercise times rather than extended daily wear.

Stereotypy Management

Although designed for rehabilitation, The Bamboo Brace also assists in managing stereotypies such as hand wringing, repetitive interaction of the child's hands with their head, neck and face, and self-harm behaviours. In these cases, after tolerance is achieved, the brace can be worn for longer daytime periods with intermittent breaks and supervision.

Note

The Bamboo Brace is intended to be used with supervision and is not recommended for night time use.

Size chart and product codes

Size - Common name	Approximate age range	Maximum arm circumference (bicep)	Minimum arm length needed (beginning of underarm to wrist)	Product code
XS Infant / Toddler	2-3 months to ~ 15-16 months	7.5 ins /19 cm	6 ins /15 cm	BBIT01
S Early Intervention	15-16 months to ~ 3 years	7.5 ins / 19 cm	7.5 ins / 20.5 cm	BBEI01
M Younger Grade School	3-5 years to ~ 8-9 years	9.5 ins / 24.5 cm	9.5 ins / 24.5 cm	BBEGS01
L Adolescent	9-10 years to ~ 14 years	11.5 ins/ 29 cm	11.5 ins/ 28 cm	BBAYA01
XL Teen / Adult	14-15 years to Adult	14.5 ins / 36.5 cm	13ins / 33 cm	BBXL01
The Supinator Strap		Length 24 ins /61 cm	Width 1 ins / 2.5 cm	TSS01