Arm Sling

How an Arm Sling Works

An arm sling is a simple yet powerful device that offers crucial benefits to your arm and shoulder: protection, immobilization, support, and compression. When managing arm or shoulder injuries, these features make arm slings an essential part of the recovery process.

First and foremost, protection is one of the primary functions of an arm sling. When you injure your arm or shoulder, it’s crucial to protect the area from further damage. This is where an arm sling comes into play. It creates a barrier that helps shield your arm from additional trauma, reducing the risk of complications and promoting a safer healing environment. Without this crucial protection, you’re more likely to experience setbacks in your recovery process.

Immobilization is another critical function of an arm sling. Keeping your arm or shoulder in a fixed position prevents any unnecessary movement that could worsen the injury. Immobilization allows the injured tissues to rest and heal without being disturbed. By restricting movement, the sling minimizes the risk of further damage, ensuring that the healing process proceeds smoothly. This fixed position also helps maintain the correct anatomical alignment, which is essential for proper recovery.

Support is equally important in the role of an arm sling. By bearing the weight of your injured arm, the sling alleviates the load on the affected area. This reduction in strain helps to ease pain and discomfort while promoting a faster healing process. Supportive slings distribute the weight evenly, which can prevent muscle fatigue and reduce the likelihood of developing secondary issues like muscle imbalances or compensatory injuries.

Lastly, compression is a subtle yet significant function provided by some arm slings. Compression works by controlling swelling and enhancing circulation in the injured area. Proper blood flow is crucial during the healing process as it delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues. By reducing swelling, compression helps to speed up recovery and decrease pain, contributing to a more comfortable healing experience.

The importance of using an arm sling cannot be overstated. Without it, your injury is left exposed to further harm, potentially leading to complications and delayed recovery. By providing protection, immobilization, support, and compression, an arm sling creates an optimal environment for healing. This multifaceted approach ensures that your arm and shoulder receive the care they need to recover effectively.

But what injuries can an arm sling assist with? You might be surprised.

An Effective Treatment for Various Injuries & Conditions

Alright then, let’s dive right into it, shall we? We’re going to discuss a few injuries and conditions that can benefit from wearing an arm sling.

1. Fractured Arms: Fractures in the arm can occur in the upper arm (humerus), forearm (radius and ulna), or wrist bones. These injuries are common, especially in sports and falls. Telltale signs are intense pain, visible deformity, swelling, and difficulty using the arm. This injury is mainly caused by high-impact or direct blows to the arm. People involved in risky activities such as contact sports or those with osteoporosis are at a greater risk. Arm slings help maintain the arm in a fixed position, reducing pain and promoting healing. A 2018 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that using an arm sling significantly improved pain management and healing time in patients with arm fractures.
2. Dislocated Shoulders: This injury occurs when the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that’s part of your shoulder blade. They’re quite common, particularly among athletes. Symptoms include a visibly out-of-place shoulder, swelling, pain, and inability to move the joint. This condition often results from a hard blow or fall. People participating in contact sports or those with previous shoulder dislocations are more susceptible. An arm sling aids in immobilising the shoulder, alleviating pain, and preventing further injury. A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research in 2017 found that early mobilisation using a shoulder sling improved recovery rates.
3. Rotator Cuff Tears: A rotator cuff tear is an injury to the group of tendons and muscles in the shoulder, providing stability and enabling the shoulder to rotate. It’s a common condition, often signalled by a dull ache deep in the shoulder, arm weakness, and disturbance in sleep, particularly if lying on the affected shoulder. Ageing, overuse in sports or jobs that require repetitive arm movement, and trauma can lead to a torn rotator cuff. Those frequently participating in overhead activities or aged over 40 are more likely to develop this condition. An arm sling can help support the shoulder, limit movements that may cause pain or further damage, and assist in the healing process. A 2017 study in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery found that arm sling use for rotator cuff tear patients led to improved pain management and functional mobility.
4. Collarbone (Clavicle) Fractures: A clavicle fracture, another common injury, is perceived through sharp pain in the collarbone area, swelling, and an inability to lift the arm due to the break. It usually stems from falls and impacts, putting those with high-risk activities and brittle bone conditions at an increased risk. The University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust published a study demonstrating that an arm sling can effectively manage pain, provide support and promote healing for clavicle fractures.
5. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a painful disorder of the hand caused by pressure on your median nerve as it runs through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. Symptoms include numbness, pins and needles, and pain, particularly at night. The NHS reports that this condition affects about 3-6% of adults in the UK. CTS is more prevalent in women and older individuals. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s often triggered by repetitive manual tasks. Arm slings can help relieve the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by keeping the wrist in a neutral position, relieving pressure on the median nerve. A research paper published by the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery found that the use of arm slings was instrumental in alleviating CTS symptoms, with patients reporting a significant decrease in pain and numbness.
6. Tennis Elbow: Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition that causes pain around the outside of the elbow. It often occurs after strenuous overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, tennis elbow affects 1-3% of the UK population and is most common in people aged between 40 and 60. The main symptom is recurring pain on the outside of the upper forearm just below the bend of the elbow. Rest and the use of an arm sling to immobilise the elbow joint can be beneficial in managing tennis elbow. A study by the British Journal of General Practice showed that patients using an arm sling reported a faster recovery time, with improved function and reduced pain.
7. Wrist Sprains: A wrist sprain, a common injury amongst the UK population, particularly those engaged in sports, is a condition where the ligaments in the wrist are stretched or torn. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes an inability to move the wrist. An arm sling can help by immobilising the wrist, reducing the risk of further injury, and allowing the sprained ligaments to heal. The British Journal of Sports Medicine cites a study showing that using an arm sling can reduce recovery time for wrist sprains.