About the sling

You have been given a sling to immobilise your arm. The sling is fixed to best support your arm. There are many brands of slings, we call ours a fixed mitella sling or pouch arm sling.

We will tell you how to use the sling:

☐ Wear the sling 24 hours a day.

☐ You may take off the sling when doing your exercises or showering/bathing. Wear the sling for the remaining part of the day.

Put the sling on correctly

If you have taken the sling off or if it has become loose, it is important that you put it back on correctly.

Place your forearm in the pouch of the bag, and place your elbow all the way back in the corner of the pouch.
Bring the top strap behind your back and over the healthy shoulder.
Fix the strap to the top ring of the pouch, and adjust the height, so your forearm is horizontal.

Place your thump in the small strap.

Bring the lower strap behind your back like a belt, and fix it to the bottom ring on the pouch.

Remove the sling when washing

When showering/bathing, carefully take off the sling and let your arm hang down by your body. Lean slightly when washing yourself under your arms. Do not move your shoulder when washing your hair. Keep your armpit clean and dry to avoid developing armpit fungus. If you have a plaster on after the surgery, you should change this after showering/bathing.

Resting your arm

When resting, use a pillow to reduce swelling and tension in your arm. Your hand should always be placed higher than the rest of your arm. Do not lie on your side until your arm has healed.

Lie on your back with a pillow under your upper arm and place the rest of your arm on your stomach.

Sit with a pillow in front of you. Place your forearm and hand on the pillow.

Throw away the brace when you no longer need it

The brace cannot be re-used. So, when you are done using it, throw it out.