Custom-Made Shoulder Flaps For Upper Extremity

Shoulder Pressure Garments

Note: Shoulder flaps are intended only to hold up a sleeve. They are not intended or designed to apply therapeutic pressure to the torso.

Custom-made pressure garments maintain effective pressure for 2-3 months and then must be replaced. Alternating between several garments will aid in lengthening the life of the garments, although, in some cases of weight change, or spurts of rapid growth in children, more frequent re-measurement and replacement may be necessary.

Common Options for Custom Shoulder Garments

Shoulder Flap & Strap Styles

The purpose of a shoulder flap is to hold up a sleeve. It is not designed to apply therapeutic pressure to the upper torso. Some benefit may be obtained to the upper shoulder, especially the acromial region, but a shoulder flap should not substitute for a vest.

10A Shoulder Flap Regular Male & Child
The default flap closure for an adult male flap is a zipper placed on the opposite side of the torso. For a child, the default closure is hook & loop placed on the opposite side of the torso.

10A Shoulder Flap Regular Female
The default flap closure is hook & loop placed on the opposite side of the torso.

The 10A Female for an adult female comes with an opening for the breast. This may not be indicated for a patient without breast due to surgery. You must indicate this on the Measurement Chart.

10B Shoulder Flap Strap Male
10C Shoulder Flap Strap Female
10D Shoulder Flap Strap Child
The strap-style Shoulder Flaps come with an an adjustable strap and foam padding for comfort.

Sleeves
Shoulder flaps do not automatically come with sleeves. You must select a sleeve, full length or short, to attach to the shoulder flap. If a hand garment is to be attached to a full-length sleeve, measurements will be required for a glove, gauntlet, mitten, or stump cover in addition to the measurements for the sleeve and for the shoulder flap. See the Upper Extremity page for more information.

Fabric Content
The fabrics described below are Nylonยฎ Lycraยฎ or Dorlastanยฎ spandex and contain no latex. All pressure ranges are available in all fabric types, however, each fabric has its own stretch properties. A soft fabric with high stretch will โ€œgiveโ€ more as the patient moves, and may, therefore, be less suitable for large circumferences or very active patients. A heavier stretch-resistant fabric will tend to maintain a more consistent pressure, but may be irritating to sensitive skin. Be sure to indicate the diagnosis on the Order Form.

Regular Material
Default material for adults and children 11 years or older (except head and neck and hand garments, see below). This is a heavy open weave, with a maximum stretch resistance. Regular Material is available in all 30 Bio-Concepts garment colors.

Close Knit Material
Default material for children 10 and under and for elderly patients 75 and older. Also the default fabric for face masks, chin straps, and hand garments. This fabric is very similar to the Regular Matierial, however, the threads are much finer and the weave is slightly more open. Close Knit Material is available in all 30 Bio-Concepts colors.

LuxFabโ„ข
Our new LuxFabโ„ข is a wonderful fabric for the vascular patient. It has great three-way stretch and durability. Many patients will benefit from a LuxFab garment in their lymphedema management program.

Soft Material
Patients with extremely sensitive areas of skin may not be ready for Regular Material or even Close Knit fabric. The skin side of our Soft Material is very smooth and the fabric is very light as well. We often construct whole garments of Soft Material for small children and the very elderly. Soft Material is available in all 30 Bio-Concepts colors.

Lining Material
We normally use Lining Material to line the inside of the garment over particularly sensitive areas, such as elbows, axillae, and knees. We can line entire garments as well. The lining material is very soft. Lining Material is available in all 30 Bio-Concepts colors.

Insert Material
Insert Material stretches well in every direction and conforms extremely well to irregular surfaces. Elbows, knees, chins, tops of heads, heels, abdomens, and other sites are good places for inserts. Because Insert Material conforms so well, we also use it to cover stumps and to end a mitten. Insert Material is available in all 30 Bio-Concepts colors.

Silon-TEXยฎ
A revolutionary new material that we incorporate directly into the garment. Silon-TEX is a medical-grade silicone elastomer sheet bonded to a Lycra Spandex fabric. Silon-TEX may be sewn into the garment in virtually any configuration needed to treat troublesome hypertrophic and keloid scars. Typically, Silon-TEX is used as a lining, sewn into the inside of the material of the rest of the garment. Silon-TEX is available only in white.

Forms / Instructions

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All Measurement Charts And Forms
All of the Order Forms and Measurement Charts listed below contained in one file.
All Measurement Charts And Forms
All of the Order Forms and Measurement Charts listed below contained in one file.

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Order Form
This should be completed and transmitted with every custom garment order.
How To Prepare The Order Form
Detailed instructions for submitting orders and an example order form.
Watch the video:ย ย Youtube

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Upper Extremity Measurement Chart
For separate sleeves and sleeves attached to torso garments (for example, sleeves for a sleeved vest).
How To Measure The Upper Extremity
Procedures and an example measuring chart.
Watch the video:ย Youtube

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Sketch Pad
To indicate the locations of special linings and other features.
How To Use The Sketch Pad
Instructions for illustrating special features.

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