Shoulder Immobilizer Use: Frequently Asked Question and Answers

Here are situation when one should wear a shoulder immobilizer.

1. Post Injury to arm/shoulder
2. Instability of arm/shoulder
3. Post surgery
4. Torn ligament/fracture

What does a shoulder immobilizer do?

A shoulder immobilizer is used to comfort the arm and shoulder, if we talk of what does a shoulder immobilizer do in real time, here are a couple of things:

1. It keeps the arm flat.
2. It keeps the shoulder from moving.
3. It restricts certain movements of the arm/shoulder.
4. It prevents you from sleeping in the wrong position.
5. Prevents further damage, which can be caused by pulling in, or against people around you i.e. contact injury.

Is shoulder immobilizer useful?

Shoulder immobilizer prevents motion of the injured arm/shoulder, supports the shoulder, which is unstable after injury and allows you to work on your own untilled the shoulder heals. It is very useful because there are certain arm movements, which are dangerous to do post surgery, you can be careful, but you cannot prevent those movements from happening, shoulder immobilizer does this for you.

At what times should one not wear a shoulder immobilizer?

You should wear a shoulder immobilizer at all times except for when you are showering or doing any shoulder exercises. When you are dressing up, it is best that you take assistance from a family member.

Can I wear the shoulder immobilizer directly on the skin?

Putting your skin in direct contact with the shoulder immobilizer can cause skin rash. It is advisable that you wear a t-shirt first and the wear the shoulder brace on it. In addition, excess of moisture in the area can cause fungal infection or skin infection, to avoid this keep a towel or washcloth under your armpit.

How to shower and dress up with a shoulder immobilizer

• Showering up

You do not really need to wear a shoulder immobilizer during bathing but you can wear waterproof dressings. For showering, during the first few weeks, you may need to seek assistance of a family member. Also, make sure that you keep the injured area clean and keep the operated arm dry. Use a bathtub or hand shower to bath.

• Dressing up

Wear front open clothes, as they are easy to take off, wear loose clothes. Either you can seek assistance of a family member in getting your operated arm in the garment or you can just slide in the operated arm with the help of the un-operated arm first, use the un-operated arm to take the shirt to the back, thus bringing the other sleeve at place. You can then slip in the un-operated arm, and button up the shirt. Do not use your operated arm for dressing up, just do everything with the un-operated arm or seek help from someone else.

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