Elbow restraints are prescribed for an 18-month-old toddler who just had surgery for a cleft palate. the nurse explains to the parents that the restraints are used to keep the child from:

The restraints are used to keep the child from damaging the operative area. Elbow restraints are usually used post operatively in infants in order to protect the surgical area from damage. The restraint will limit the baby's movement and prevent him from accessing the area of the body that was operated.