How to Use a Sling

There are many reasons a person could be wearing a sling. If you have sprained your arm, or had some type of hand or wrist surgery your doctor may have suggested you wear a sling. This sounds simple enough, but there are some do's and don't's when it comes to wearing a sling.

Instructions

1. Slings can be made out of many different types of material. If your doctor asked you to wear a sling, but you do not have the money to buy a professional one that's okay. You can make one. The simplest form of a home made sling is a belt. People have been known to use scarves that are wider as well as long enough to go around the shoulder. If you don't have either of these feel free to make your own sling out of cloth or fabric that you may have in your home. Just make sure the piece you use is long enough to go around your neck and wide enough to comfortably lay your arm in.

2. In most cases the doctor or hospital you visited for your injury will supply you with a sling and teach you how to use it. This is what the doctor will probably tell you. Your sling is for support and will keep your arm from moving around and sustaining more damage. Make sure you use it properly.

3. The first step after getting your sling ready is to bend your elbow and lay your arm across your chest. Pretend you are making one of those 90 degree angles in math class. Once you do that you need to make sure your thumb is pointing up so just give a thumbs up and you are ready to go in to your sling.

4. There are two ends to your sling. One is open and one is closed. You need to slide your elbow back in to the closed end of the sling and leave your hand near the open end.

5. The strap of the sling then goes over your shoulder and down your back. There should be a spot to attach the pieces together. If you are using a home made sling than just tie your fabric in to a knot when you connect them. If you are using a belt just fasten the belt in to one of the belt loops. You will notice that your neck and back are what support your sling.

Tips & Warnings

• Make two slings so you have an extra one to use while you are washing the main one.

• They do make slings that are more neck friendly. Ask your family care provider more about it.

• Take it easy and give yourself time to heal. You don't want to end up re-injuring yourself and having to start all over or worse end up in a cast.