Limb Restraint

Limb Restraint

Limb restraints are physical restraints that are applied to a person's arms or legs. The application of limb restraints on both arms and legs at once is sometimes known as a four-point restraint.

As a medical restraint, limb restraints are soft, padded cuffs which are applied to a patient to prevent the patient from causing harm to him/herself or to others. The device consists of cuffs which are wrapped around the patient's wrists or ankles, and straps that are attached to the frame of their bed or chair.

Limb restraints are often used on a combative or disoriented patient who is using his/her arms or legs to strike at staff or others, to pull important medical apparatus, such as an IV tube or catheter, out of their body, or to otherwise interfere with their care. Arm restraints also become necessary when a patient must lie on his/her back at all times.

Patients who may come in need of limb restraints include those who have suffered a head injury, those recovering from seizures (usually multiple ones), have been under anesthesia for a long period of time, or those suffering from mental illness, dementia, or side effects from their treatment.

Four-point restraints heavily restrict the movement of a patient, and may render the patient helpless when s/he needs to move in an emergency. Many facilities will hire a companion to watch a patient who is placed under four-point restraint.

Most patients who find themselves restrained naturally think they can free themselves by pulling hard at the restraints. But the restraints are made out of plastic mesh, which cannot be broken by being pulled with human strength. Other patients attempt to unfasten the restraints around the wrist, but find they cannot reach the fastener unless they have abnormally flexible joints. Some do manage to slip their hands through the cuff, though competent workers prevent this from happening.

The easiest way to free oneself from restraints is to reach with one hand to the side of the bed, which is possible. There, the restraint is tied and can be easily untied. After freeing one arm, it is easy to use it to free the other. The patients who seem to know this the most are those who have previously worked in acute health care settings.