Upper Limb Bone Fracture Recovery: Tips, Tricks & Sling-Life Hacks

What is an upper limb bone fracture?

An upper limb bone fracture refers to any broken bone in the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist, or hand. These injuries typically result from falls, sports accidents, vehicle impacts, or direct trauma. Most require immobilization through a sling, cast, or brace, followed by physical therapy to regain function.

Below are a few tips and hacks I found useful during my own recovery.

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Life Tip 1: Why you need a sling?

Key takeaways from the video:

The primary goal of wearing a sling after shoulder surgery is protection and comfort.

• Protection of Soft Tissues: Most shoulder surgeries involve attaching tendons to bone, or in the case of total shoulder replacement, tendons are temporarily detached and then the prosthesis is placed. The sling is crucial for protecting these soft tissues during the initial healing phase.

• Tension Relief: The sling places the arm in a specific position that takes tension off the repaired surgical tissue, allowing it to heal without undue strain.

• Comfort: While protection is key, the sling also provides comfort to the patient during recovery.

• Duration of Use:

  • The sling is typically worn for the first six weeks following surgery to protect the healing tissues.

  • It should be used all day long and at night when sleeping.

  • However, slings worn constantly can become somewhat uncomfortable over time, and readjustment may be necessary.

Life Tip 2: Getting Your Sling On and Off

Key takeaways from the video:

• Sling and Shirt Removal:

  • Pre-planning is crucial; have a new shirt ready before taking off the sling.

  • To remove the sling, undo the waist strap and neck strap, then lift it over your head while leaning forward to reduce tension on the surgical area.

  • For button-down shirts, unbutton completely and slide the shirt off the surgical arm first, keeping the arm hanging.

• Showering Preparation:

  • Create a temporary arm support by wrapping a pillow in a garbage bag.

  • Place this under your arm while showering to act as a substitute for the sling.

• Putting Shirt and Sling Back On:

  • Always place the surgical arm into the shirt sleeve first, leaning forward.

  • Avoid actively using the surgical arm to prevent pulling on the surgical site.

  • When re-applying the sling, use the non-surgical arm to guide the surgical arm into the sling while leaning over.

  • Adjust the sling so the hand is at least as high as or slightly higher than the elbow for proper support.

• Re-applying the Hip Strap:

  • If you have limited motion in your non-surgical arm, place the waist strap on a surface and turn your body into it to fasten.

Life Tip 3: Tips for Sleeping and Sitting Comfortably

Key takeaways from the video:

• Sleeping with a sling:

  • Use a pillow, often doubled up, underneath the arm and slightly under the body to help it stay in place.

  • Experiment with single or different pillows to find what works best for comfort.

• Sitting with a sling:

  • Place a pillow underneath the arm to raise it, which helps relieve tension from the sling strap on the opposite side of the neck.

  • This technique still protects the surgical area while providing comfort.

I truly appreciate this series from Penn Medicine. I found myself in the rush at the hospital and did not ask enough questions. Now with the videos, it became a lot easier to follow the right guidance from credible source.

If these recovery tips made sling-life a little easier, join our community and subscribe to Fracture Club’s email newsletter for healing hacks, early updates, and comfort-driven designs built for real life.