Patient education: How to use a shoulder sling (The Basics)

What is a shoulder sling? — 

A shoulder sling or "immobilizer" can be used after an injury or surgery. It can reduce pain and protect the shoulder as it heals.

There are different types of shoulder slings that hold the arm in different positions (figure 1). The sling might use:

●A strap to support the arm in the sling

●Straps to hold the arm in a specific position right next to the body

●Straps and a foam pillow to hold the arm slightly away from the body

Some slings also have straps that go around the thumb to keep the arm in the correct position.

When do I need to wear a shoulder sling? — 

Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing it. This includes:

●When to wear the sling – Some people wear it all the time. Others can remove it for sleeping. In some cases, the sling can also be removed for bathing, for physical therapy, or to do exercises.

●Using the arm and hand – Some people cannot lift anything. Others can lift a small amount of weight.

How do I put on a shoulder sling? — 

You might want to have another person help you put the sling on, especially at first. Be careful not to move your injured arm.

To put the sling on (figure 2):

●Some people find it easiest to sit and rest the injured arm on their lap. Others stand and rest the arm on a table or counter. Carefully put the sling on the forearm of your injured arm. Make sure your elbow is all the way back to the closed part of the sling and your hand is at the open end.

●Using your other arm, grab the strap at the top part of the sling at the back of the elbow. Bring it around your back and over the shoulder of your uninjured side. This strap should fasten at the top of the open end of the sling, near the wrist. Make sure your hand is at the same level as your elbow or higher. This helps with blood flow and reduces swelling. The strap might have a pad near the neck or top of the shoulder for comfort.

●You might have another strap at the lower part of the back of your elbow. If so, bring it around the back of your waist. It should fasten near the bottom of your wrist. This helps keep your arm close to your body.

●You put on a sling with a foam pillow in almost the same way. First, put your injured arm into the sling part. Put the foam pillow at your side, just above your waist. Fasten the straps as you would for a regular sling. The pillow holds your arm slightly away from your body.

How do I remove a shoulder sling?

●Rest your forearm on your lap, a table, or a counter. Do not use the muscles in your injured arm to hold your arm up or help in any way.

●Carefully undo the strap around your waist. Then, undo the one around your neck.

●Slowly slide the sling toward your elbow to pull it off. Keep your injured arm supported at all times.

What else should I know?

●Make sure the sling is not too tight. You should be able to fit 2 or 3 fingers under the straps.

●Make sure your elbow fits snugly in the sling and your hand is at or above the level of your elbow.

●Ask your doctor if you can move your fingers, hand, and wrist while you wear the sling.

●As your shoulder heals, your doctor might suggest you work with a physical therapist (exercise expert). They can teach you exercises to strengthen your shoulder and keep it moving well.

●Follow the care instructions to keep the sling clean. You can usually wipe it down with soap and water. But if your doctor wants you to wear a sling all the time for many weeks, you might want to get 2 of them.

More on this topic

Patient education: Shoulder pain (The Basics)
Patient education: Rotator cuff injury (The Basics)
Patient education: Frozen shoulder (The Basics)
Patient education: Biceps tendinopathy (The Basics)
Patient education: Shoulder impingement (The Basics)

Patient education: Rotator cuff tendinitis and tear (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Frozen shoulder (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Biceps tendinitis or tendinopathy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Shoulder impingement syndrome (Beyond the Basics)