These include:. Any injury or surgical procedure to your upper extremity may require that you wear a sling as things are healing. Make sure you follow your healthcare provider's advice when wearing your sling. If you are required to wear a sling, it is important that you wear it properly. This helps to prevent fluid and blood from accumulating in your hand and wrist.
Proper sling usage can ensure that your arm heals the right way. To apply a shoulder sling correctly:. Your sling should fit comfortably and not feel binding or tight. It should maintain your shoulder, elbow, and wrist in a relaxed position so you can go about your day-to-day activities.
This video has been medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD. There are common mistakes people make when wearing a shoulder sling. If used incorrectly, a shoulder sling can cause discomfort and delay the healing process.
Your healthcare provider or physical therapist can help you avoid these pitfalls. If it's not supportive of your shoulder, elbow, and wrist, the sling won't keep your arm in place, and you may place unnecessary stress and strain on the arm. Make sure the sling supports your arm and forearm, and be sure your elbow is kept at a degree angle.
If your elbow is too straight, the sling may be too loose. If you experience numbness, tingling, or swelling, or your hands and fingers feel cold or turn blue, see your healthcare provider or physical therapist for an adjustment.
When wearing your shoulder sling, your arm should not hang too low. If it does, the weight of your arm may place increased stress and strain on your healing arm and shoulder.
Plus, your arm may simply and suddenly fall out of the sling if it's hanging too low. Your elbow should be bent 90 degrees while you're wearing your sling, and the sling should support your arm firmly against your body without lifting.
The shoulder shouldn't be lifted or dropped. If you aren't sure the sling is on properly, have your healthcare provider physical therapist make necessary adjustments. The goal of wearing your sling is to protect your shoulder and arm as it heals. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use some of the muscles of your arm and hand during recovery. These actions typically include:. Resuming physical activities before your shoulder has healed also increases your chances of straining other parts of your body, like your elbow or spine.
Elbow pain can be disabling. You may have tennis elbow. Chronic cold fingers may be the result of decreased blood flow to your hands.
You Might Also Enjoy The decision to drive is based on your comfort level with driving essentially one-handed. If you need to drive, and a rotator cuff repair has been performed, you should wait at least until you have seen your surgeon at the first postoperative visit. No one should operate a motor vehicle while taking narcotic medications. Healing and Recovery Tendon tissue heals much more slowly than other tissues in your body.
For example, if you cut your skin, it will typically heal in seven to 10 days. Rotator cuff tendon tissue, however, heals over a three month period. After three months, it typically takes another two to three months to regain good shoulder strength, depending on the size of the rotator cuff tear. While the goal of surgery is to restore a pain-free and functional shoulder, there may be some limitation based on the age and the size of the tear.
In larger tears or tears in older patients, the tendon repair may not heal. In these cases, pain relief and function are usually good; however, some weakness usually remains in the shoulder. Physical Therapy The decision to prescribe physical therapy and when to start these activities is made on a case-by-case basis. This will be discussed with you on your first postoperative visit. You may be instructed by your surgeon or recovery room nurse to begin gentle range of motion exercises on the day of surgery.
These will be self-directed exercises that you start on your own. Surgical Risks and Complications.
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