Do I really need my immobilizer all day and night?
Arm abduction how to#
Click on the following link to review how to get a shirt or pullover on. The combination of discomfort after surgery and the need to protect the shoulder during healing can make getting dressed particularly complicated. The trickiest part is getting a shirt or a pullover on. Getting dressed during the first few days to weeks after shoulder surgery can be a challenge too. It is best to gently let water run over incisions and to tap incisions dry.
Arm abduction skin#
In general, it is not recommended to rub over skin incisions when applying soap and water or when drying. Alternatively, it may be safe to take a shower without a sling, just letting the arm by your side. Click on the following link to understand how to put on a shower sling. We recommend an alternative, very simple, shoulder sling for showers.
The immobilizers shown above are not ideal to take into the shower: they are bulky and hard to dry when they get wet. Some surgeons prefer skin incisions to be completely sealed (about two weeks) before allowing a shower, whereas others find it reasonable to shower within a day or two after surgery. Click on the following links to understand how to put on a shoulder abduction sling while seating or standing.Įxternal rotation brace How about a shower?Īfter surgery, you should talk to your shoulder specialist regarding when to take a shower. Abduction slings are commonly used for fracture management as well as after rotator cuff repair or shoulder replacement. In addition, the fitting contour of the pillow limits how much the shoulder can rotate around the body. The abduction sling also keeps the shoulder in some outward or external rotation, beneficial for some conditions. This position, called “abduction”, relaxes some of the structures of the shoulder, protecting them while they heal. The forearm rests over the pillow, keeping the shoulder slightly separated off the body. The abduction sling combines a classic sling connected through Velcro strips to a small pillow that fits the side of the trunk. In our surgical practice, we use one of three shoulder immobilizers: the classic shoulder sling, an immobilizer with a small pillow ( shoulder abduction sling), and a less common immobilizer with a larger pillow ( external rotation brace). Many immobilizers also include a strap around the waist to further protect the arm from rotating around the trunk. Most slings and immobilizers have in common the use of a strap around the neck to help support the weight of the arm.
Are all slings and immobilizers the same? Links to these videos are provided below. However, use of a sling or shoulder immobilizer is a necessary evil for a good recovery! Mayo Clinic has published a number of videos to review use of slings and immobilizers. Wearing the sling feels unnatural, hot, and uncomfortable. Getting the immobilizer on and off can be cumbersome, confusing, and may require some help. Those of you who have had shoulder surgery know that wearing a sling or immobilizer for several weeks is one of the least favorite parts of the recovery process. Slings and immobilizers hold and safeguard the shoulder during healing. Support and protection of the shoulder are important after injuries and surgery.
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