Page 19 - Richardson Shoulder Booklet

USING A SHOULDER IMMOBILIZER
Shoulder Surgery Patients: Using a shoulder immobilizer VIDEO LINK
Follow these shoulder precautions listed below when putting on and taking off your sling.
Taking the shoulder immobilizer off
1. Loosen the Velcro on the shoulder strap (2).
2. Use the unaffected hand to pull the shoulder strap over the head.
3. Unfasten the waist strap (3).
4. Unfasten the lower arm strap (1) and undo the Velcro.
5. Straighten your elbow and keep your arm supported on your lap or a pillow beside you. 6. The abductor pillow (4) can be separated from the sling.
7. Readjust the pillow to the sling as needed.
Putting the shoulder immobilizer on
1. Use your nonsurgical arm to place the waist strap (3) to go from the affected to the unaffected side.
2. Place abductor pillow (4) between waistline and surgical arm with the curved hump of the pillow resting under your breast line.
3. Place the elbow back as far as possible in the sling.
4. Fasten Velcro and the lower arm strap (1).
5. Pull the shoulder strap (2) over your head and adjust the strap.
6. Fasten the waist strap (3).
www.binghammemorial.org 19