How It Works
Pediatric Limb Immobilizers Offer Kinder Protection After Surgery
Many people might not get a product that immobilizes a child. After all, children are wired to explore. But parents whose children have mobility conditions or have undergone related surgeries understand the importance of keeping children safe and protecting areas that could become infected or further injured.
Melinda Siwek, founder of The Medi-Kid Company, is one such parent. In 1984, her son had cleft palate surgery, and she needed something that would enable him to use his hands but not hinder his recovery if his hands wandered to the surgical site. Siwek wanted a product that would be gentle and humane.
Her creation led her to found Medi-Kid, and almost 30 years later, the company still offers a variety of pediatric arm, leg and wrist immobilizers under its Pedi-Wrap brand.
Pedi-Wraps are designed using padded materials to reduce chafing with plastic inserts sewn into pockets for rigidity. Each immobilizer is wrapped around the child’s arm or leg and attached using a built-in Velcro panel. In addition, children can choose their own color and fabric pattern.
“Giving children a wide selection of fabric colors and patterns can make the difference in whether they cooperate or not, particularly at night or when unsupervised,” Siwek says. “Then when their limbs need to be immobilized, rather than having to wear an annoying medical device, which they are likely to remove or complain about, they can actually make a fashion statement that reflects their own interests.”
Pediatric immobilizers target a wide range of conditions, besides cleft palate surgery:
- Surgery to correct brachial plexus injury – The brachial plexus is a network of nerves in the spinal cord that controls movement in the shoulder, arm and hand. When these nerves are injured during childbirth or because of an accident, the arm loses functions.
- Surgeries to manage muscle weakness, tremors or abnormal movements caused by cerebral palsy
- Surgeries for spina bifida –can also lend support to the arms or legs when muscle or joint problems occur.
- Physical therapy – provides support during weight-bearing therapy and when children’s arms and legs require night splinting.
For more information on Pedi-Wraps, click here.