Brett Sears, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with more than 20 years of experience in orthopedics and hospital treatment.
Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT, is a physiotherapist with extensive experience in hospital emergency care and outpatient treatment, including children and adults.
After you have injured your shoulder, elbow, or wrist, you may need to wear a sling on your arm to help protect it as it heals. Wearing a sling keeps your arms close to your body and prevents you from moving your arms excessively when the injury is healed. Improper wearing of the sling may delay healing or, worse, further damage your arm.
In many cases, you may need to wear your arm on a sling after injury. These include:
Any injury to the upper limbs or surgery may require you to wear a sling because things are healing. When wearing a sling, make sure to follow the advice of your healthcare provider.
If you need to wear a sling, be sure to wear it correctly. This helps prevent fluid and blood from accumulating in your hands and wrists. The correct use of the sling can ensure that your arm heals in the correct way.
Correct use of shoulder straps:
Your sling should fit snugly, without restraint or tightness. It should keep your shoulders, elbows, and wrists in a relaxed position so that you can perform daily activities.
This video has been medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD.
People make some common mistakes when wearing shoulder straps. If used incorrectly, the shoulder strap can cause discomfort and delay the healing process. Your healthcare provider or physical therapist can help you avoid these pitfalls.
If it cannot support your shoulders, elbows, and wrists, the sling will not be able to hold your arm in place, and you may put unnecessary pressure and strain on your arm. Make sure that the sling supports your arms and forearms, and make sure that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle. If your elbows are too straight, the strap may be too loose.
A sling that is too tight may restrict blood flow in and out of your elbows and hands, depriving tissues of oxygen and damaging your arms, hands, and/or fingers. If you feel numb, tingling, or swelling, or your hands and fingers feel cold or blue, consult your healthcare provider or physical therapist for adjustments.
When wearing the shoulder strap, your arms should not hang too low. If this is the case, the weight of your arm may put more pressure and pressure on the arm and shoulder that you are recovering. In addition, if the sling is hung too low, your arm may suddenly fall from the sling.
When wearing the sling, your elbows should be bent 90 degrees, and the sling should firmly support your arm on your body, do not lift it up. The shoulders should not be raised or lowered. If you are not sure whether the sling is worn correctly, ask your healthcare provider's physical therapist to make the necessary adjustments.
The purpose of wearing a sling is to protect your shoulders and arms during healing. This does not mean that you should not use certain muscles in your arms and hands during recovery. Since the sling is designed to hold the shoulders, unless measures are taken to avoid it, it will cause a decrease in the range of motion (ROM) and arm strength.
During the recovery period, your healthcare provider will usually recommend that you remove the sling and perform non-impact pendulum circle exercises 2 to 3 times a day to maintain joint mobility. Grip exercises that treat putty resistance can increase the strength of the wrist and forearm.
Wearing a sling may cause anxiety in all its straps and loops. With practice, you will be able to wear it comfortably and allow your arm to heal correctly and safely. If you feel that you need more help with the sling, be sure to contact your healthcare provider or physical therapist for help.
Once the injury is healed, you may need to consult a healthcare provider or physical therapist to learn exercises that help improve arm mobility and strength. Improving your mobility can help you return to the state before the injury.
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Hollman F, Wolterbeek N, Zijl JAC, Van egeraat SPM, Wessel RN. Abduction brace and anti-rotation sling after arthroscopic cuff repair: effects on pain and function. Arthroscopy. 2017;33(9):1618-1626. doi:10.1016/j.arthro.2017.02.010
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Arm care after stroke.
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