An arm sling is a simple shoulder immobiliser typically manufactured from cotton or a synthetic material to offer comfort to the wearer and is worn following surgery or a trauma related injury such as a trip or fall.
How does an arm sling work?
The arm sling works by immobilising the arm and shoulder by raising the arm and restricting its movement. The arm sits within a material based sling attached to a strap which loops round the patient’s neck to help elevate the arm. The strap can be adjusted manually depending on the patient’s height and arm length, but a professional will always set this before you leave the hospital to ensure that it is fitted accurately.
When do I need to wear an arm sling?
An arm sling is typically worn following surgery or post injury to help protect the arm and shoulder from impact damage during rehabilitation. Surgery can be to remedy a multitude of conditions from carpal tunnel, tennis elbow or a broken arm. The arm sling itself is a universal aid which helps patients during recovery.
An arm sling can also be worn following slips and trips, with the arm typically taking the full force of any impact as we will all naturally put our arms out to break our fall. This can lead to bruising of the wrist and arm or in more serious instances broken arms or broken wrists.
You will typically be told by a doctor if you need to wear an arm sling following consultation of your injury and accident and emergency departments stocking the product with slips and trips one of the more common forms of injury seen.
What are the benefits of wearing an arm sling?
When you incur an injury the most important thing is getting back to full fitness so you can resume your daily routine. Different types of injury require different types of rehabilitation, with the injury being given enough time to heal to allow gentle exercise to rebuild strength in the affected muscle or joint.
Final words on the arm sling
There are different types of arm slings available on the market depending on the type of injury sustained though can be dictated by the types of products stocked at the hospital. Whilst they cater for a multitude of conditions there are other arm and elbow support options available which are designed for specific injuries or conditions.
Grand Prix Of Poland And The Importance Of Knee Bracing
This weekend sees the start of the 2015 speedway season with the Grand Prix of Poland in Warsaw. The Stadion Narodowy will play host to the world's best as Tai Woffinden takes on the best.
Managing Common Knee Injuries Ahead Of The Champions League Last 16
This week will see the second round of the last sixteen of the Champions League, with a number of crunch matches taking place and an exciting spectacle of football for the neutral. The biggest game of the tie from an English perspective has to be Manchester City taking on Barcelona, an opportunity for one of the wealthiest clubs in the world to book their place in history by knocking out one of the most successful.
Common Knee Injuries From Mountain Biking
Mountain bikers can suffer from a variety of injuries whether from overuse or following a crash or fall from your bike, all with varying degrees of severity. The more extreme the route, the bigger the adrenaline rush but also the bigger the injury should you come off your bike at speed. Luckily, the majority of injuries sustained are minor and self-limiting in that you should expect to recover following a few days of rest.
